Shawn
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soccerthinker.bsky.social
Shawn
@soccerthinker.bsky.social
USSF Referee and Referee Mentor. Midwest Premier League commissioner for the Heartland and Gateway Conferences. I'm also a recovering cf97 barn burner.
What a great result for @arsenalfc.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
So, I'm heading to the #cf97 game this afternoon. I'm bringing 30+ scarves from back in the day. I can't wait to see people. Quck question, @section8chicago.bsky.social Can someone tell me how much parking is at Toyota Park? Cash or card?
November 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Shawn
Well this is interesting…

Future Heartland Division 1 foes Chicago House and Edgewater Castle match up in the 3rd Round of U.S. Open Cup Qualifiers.

BOHFS St. Louis travels over 400 miles to play UPSL side Omaha Street FC.

November 2nd.

#midwestgrown
October 20, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by Shawn
BOHFS St. Louis extended their lead to 3-0 through Michael Utley in the 89th minute, and Woodland got a consolation goal in the 90th through Gage Pemberton. BOHFA St. Louis 3, Woodland FC 1
October 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Reposted by Shawn
🚨 𝓜𝓦𝓟𝓛 𝓔𝔁𝓹𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓐𝓵𝓮𝓻𝓽 🚨

The Midwest Premier League is officially looking to add new clubs for the 2026 season 👀⚽

If you’re ready to bring competitive, community-driven soccer to your city, this is your chance.

Visit midwestpl.com/join for more information.
October 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I'm getting ready for my first referee assignment for the fall. And my loving wife tells me that I pack my kit bag more carefully than a vacation suitcase. 😆😕 And yes I need to replace the old kits with new ones. Don't look at me that way.😎😆
September 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The 2025 MWPL season is in the books. I've read my last referee report, sent my last season related email. I'm stepping away from soccer for the rest of the month. Look for me in September to discuss 2026
August 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
If it weren't for the AQI it'd be perfect weather for the @midwestpl.bsky.social game between Edgewater Castle and Rockford FC. 70°F and a slight breeze off the lake.
August 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
How about there are two Steel City FC soccer clubs, one in Pittsburgh and the other in Joliet, IL
July 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
With tonight's @midwestpl.bsky.social match of RKC Third Coast vs Rockford FC, I have seen every club in the Heartland Division and have visited 12 of 15 team's home venues. I have an addiction to this game
July 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The promotion race in @midwestpl.bsky.social Heartland Division 2 is crazy. The tiebreaker math is getting deep...
June 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Sometimes I just have to shake my head and say 'Welcome to Lower League Soccer.' Some of the stories in this realm would make Welcome to Wrexham-esque storylines.
June 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
First place vs second and it's been end to end action
June 14, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A great afternoon for Chicago soccer soccer today. The first @midwestpl.bsky.social match of the day just kicked off, RKC Third Coast visiting Strikers Fox Valley.
June 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Shawn
𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲

The MWPL rolls into a packed seven-day stretch starting with three games tonight and twelve more on Saturday and Sunday. Plenty of midweek action coming too—with matches set for both Monday and Wednesday.

Let’s keep it rolling. 🔴⚫
June 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Shawn
𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑴 𝒙 𝑮𝑻𝑾

Ethar Belleville FC’s Adam Boykin has been named the Gateway Conference Player of the Month after a standout May, including a brace at AFC Columbia.

🥇 Adam Boykin @EhtarFC
🥈 Baret Etzinger @SESAsoccer
June 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Shawn
𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑴 𝒙 𝑮𝑳𝑲

5 goals, 1 assist in 3 games — including a debut hat trick — earns Liquid Football midfielder Albahri Albahri top honors in the Great Lakes.

🥇 Albahri Albahri - Liquid Football
🥈 Adrian Martinez - Goshen City FC
🥉 Brooks Boersma - @lansingcommonfc.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Shawn
𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑴 𝒙 𝑯𝑹𝑻

5 goals, 2 assists, and a big role in RWB Adria’s strong start in HRT-1 earns Cameron Williams 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 honors in the Heartland Conference.

🥇 Cameron Williams - RWB Adria Chicago
🥈 Lyndon Hu - AFC Roscoe
🥉 Ben Goldberg - Chicago Ghost FC
June 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is an awesome, bills move in Chicago soccer. #cf97
Our world-class city deserves a world-class Club with a world-class home to match. A new, privately funded, soccer-specific stadium will open for the Chicago Fire in 2028. #cf97
June 3, 2025 at 12:40 PM
After an eventful evening of @midwestpl.bsky.social soccer, I'm shifting gears to mentor youth referees on a beautiful Sunday morning. Let's see how long the good vibes last.
June 1, 2025 at 1:33 PM
You know something I knew nothing of before I started writing in non league survey... Air Quality Index and it's impact on how to run a soccer match
May 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Shawn
𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲

Season in full steam. A packed MWPL week begins with 6 games tonight.

Here are the next 7 days in the MWPL.
👇👇👇

#midwestgrown
May 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Shawn
🔥 Matchday

Coach Dillard isn’t here to wait and see. Six changes from last week’s XI. You either adjust fast or get left behind in the 10-game sprint.

Rain? That was this morning’s problem. Forecast says it clears well before kickoff.

Steel boots laced. Let’s make Slammers feel like hell again
May 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Shawn
National Amateur Cup

The #USASA Region II (Midwest) Quarterfinals draw is live.

Vlora FC (MN) vs FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI)

RWB Adria (IL) vs Bavarian United SC (WI)

@chicagohouseac.bsky.social / KS Wisloka Chicago (IL) vs Michigan Rangers FC (MI)

Valhalla FC (OH) vs Michigan Stars FC U23 (MI)
May 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM