News

Joliet (February) The Train is coming. Stand clear.. As we gear up for '25, now's the time to get to know the men in red and black - check out our player profiles and meet the squad.

Joliet (August) Joliet (August)  Steel City's Annual Insights Report is a unique piece of transprency in minor league soccer. This year's report highlights record-breaking engagement for the up-start club. 

Joliet (August)  Steel City is thrilled to congratulate Laura Stepniak on signing her first professional contract with FC Skra Ladies Czestochowa in Poland.   Stepniak burst onto the women's semi-professional scene as a 16-year-old with Ladies Steel City in '21, and was the team's leading scorer.  We're proud to have been a step in Laura's journey.

Joliet (2024)  Steel City and its supporters are thrilled to celebrate a milestone together - 118 season tickets sold!  The record-breaking support is a vote of confidence towards our commitment to amplifying the area's young adults while creating family-friendly nights out.  Steel City has has enjoyed  double-digit percentage growth each season, including an 84% rise in season tickets during the last two years. 

Joliet (August)  While soccer remains the ultimate team game, we take pride in amplifying individual achievements and preserving our club history.  Brandon Camacho is the club’s ‘24 scoring leader. Rafa Garcia was the only player to register multiple assists. 

Joliet (July)  The echoes of the final whistle brought with them the somber reality of relegation.   In a match befitting its high stakes, Steel City lost the battle for survival 2-1 to Czarni Jaslo.  Steel City's Tre Adams struck first in the 74th minute providing a tantalizing taste of redemption, signaling their salvation from relegation.   But blown leads and cruel unraveling of hope have long been the haunting specter of Steel City. Czarni stormed back with a relentless surge, scoring in the 87th and 90th minute.
 

 Joliet (August) Steel City NXT finished 4th in the NISL-PSL U23 League, and were semi-finalists in the U23 Illinois State Cup.  NXT finished 5W-3L-1D in all competitions with a +8 goal difference.  Tyler Schiltz, NXT's all-time goals leader, topped the charts again this season while becoming a first team regular. The Illinois College

player is from Bourbonnais.  Lucas Ortiz, a Romeoville and Eastern Illinois University standout played every match in goal.  In addition to his exploits with NXT, Mokena and ex-L-Way Central all-stater Nicolas Espinosa pitched in 4G and 4A with Steel City's young academy team, including a 87th minute, game-winning Olimpico.
 

Joliet (August) In an astounding debut season, Steel City Women U23 captured 2nd place in the 13-team Illinois Women's Soccer League with a record  4W-2L-1D.  It's a promising beginning for Steel City Women and a hint of a bright future ahead. 

Joliet (August)  Borschnack can do it at the U23 level too! After scoring 168 goals in high school at Herscher HS, she led Steel City with 3G and 1A.  

Joliet (August)   What do you get when you challenge 18 high school kids  to play in an under-23 league?  Steel City Academy.    With the addition of two standouts from our Steel City NXT team, these young athletes faced opponents meaningfully more experienced.  Yet, they delivered. A testament to their talent, determination, and the bright future that lies ahead. 

Joliet (August) Jake Lysik tops Steel City's scoring charts after four seasons. Nolan McGrath, the black-n-red's first ever goal scorer has an impressive goals per game clip, along with Shea Bechtel, who won the league's Golden Boot in 2022.

Joliet ((July) Steel City's U23 program, in only its second season, will play in its second straight U23 Illinois State Cup Final Saturday.  The match is at 5pm at Munz Sports Complex in Glenview. The reigning National Soccer League U23 champions face Berber City for the trophy. 

Chicago (June 17)

Steel City suffered their first defeat, in matchday #5, to Edgewater Castle in a tight affair in Chicago. It was the first time in nearly one year that the Steelman have blanked in a match.

Joliet (June)

 Steel City U23, who turned heads by winning the National Soccer League in just their first season last year, begin play in June. The young guns were also finalists in the Illinois State Cup last season.

Joliet (June)

 Steel City Reserves have started their first season in style. They are 3-0 in the National Soccer League's First division scoring 15 goals in three matches. Albert Lujan is on fire with 6 goals and 3 assists. Benji Chavolla has 3 goals and 3 assists.

Steel City remained "all-time" undefeated in Joliet and are one of only two league unbeaten teams after drawing with Chicago House Tuesday night in Joliet.

Joliet (June)  Through three matchdays, the Lisle native has tormented Midwest Premier League back-lines. Steel City is one of only two league unbeatens in '23.  The state champion at @BenetMensSoccer and former @GalaxySCIL standpoint, plays college soccer at @MacalesterMSOC. 

Joliet (March 17th)

Steel City FC added to their trophy case by doing the "double," winning both the league and tournament championship in Roma's Indoor Soccer League. Steel City was over-awed at the energetic and skillful competition from local clubs such as UNFC, Candida and Redmin, who've been grinding the local circuit for some time. 

Joliet (March 14th)

Steel City's All-Time minutes leader, Nigel Dillard, returns for 2023. The center-back is also Steel City's assistant coach, as well as among our reserve team coaches. Dillard is a behavior specialist for teen offenders and victims of sexual assault. The Olivet Nazarene University alumi, scored the winning goal in '09 to clinch that school's first national tournament birth. Dillard coaches at his alma mater and at Legacy SC.

Joliet (March 10th)

Steel City's All-Time points leader, Jake Lysik, returns for 2023. The New Lenox native followed up his monster 10-assist 2021 season with 9 goals in all competitions in 2022. The tally earned him 3rd spot in the Midwest Premier League's Golden Boot Race. "Don't blink. You might miss a moment of brilliance," said coach Vincent, on his Steel City starlet.

Joliet (February 20th)

Max” is from Meiningen, Germany, having moved to the United States to attend Olivet Nazarene University.

The 6’1 175-pound center-back captained Olivet to two straight “Double” winning seasons, capturing the conference’s regular season and tournament championships.

The die-hard American football fan majored in psychology and lives in Shorewood, Illinois.

“I was aware of the club previously, and am excited to join a competitive group of players and well-run organization. I can’t wait to give the fans my all,” said Max.

Joliet (March) You've watched the World Cup, maybe  even Wrexham, and the Chicago Fire isn’t stealing your heart (although we’re rooting for them to). It’s time to go deeper with YOUR local, 5th division club in ‘23!  Click for our off-season update including our Home opener Date!

Joliet (February 20th)  A third player from Steel City FC has signed a professional contract. Amazing accomplishment for the second-year club.  Bulatovic starred for the club in '21, and we wish him the best in the Serbian First League with FC Metalac. 

Joliet (January 29) We owe the most sincerest gratitude to our club members. Their generosity helps us pursuie stability and our continued offerring of Steel City as a platform for the area's young adults. Those young adults, who are players, coaches, as well as students pursuing business, marketing, broadcasting and photography careers are thankful for the opportunity that club members provide. Click to learn more!

Joliet (November 1) Steel City's annual Insight Report gained acclaim across the semi-pro soccer landscape. The second year club is on the rise and is transparent with its metrics and community building.

Joliet (August 1) Shea Bechtel has been awarded the Midwest Premier League's Golden Boot. Bechtel tallied 9 times in 10 games, including 2 hat-tricks. The Plainfield native was  Joliet Herald's '21 POY and is Plainfield North's all-time leading scorer.  Jake Lysik's 7 goals earned him the league's 3rd leading scorer spot. Lysik is the Steelmen's All-Time Points Leader.

Joliet (July 27)  The National Soccer Leaugue's U23 Championship came down to the final match day. The red-and-black delivered blitzing CKS Warta 5-2.

Shea Bechtel and Nico Williams  scored twice and Hans Haenicke netted the winner.

It was Steel City U23's first ever season in competition. The team also finsihed 2nd place in the IL State U23 Cup. 

Joliet (May 21) 507 fans, including an additional 404 tuned in via live stream, enjoyed an amazing night at Duly for our home opener.

Six goals, three lead changes, a red card and a stadium fire marked an unforgettable night in downtown Joliet as Steel City FC played to a 3-3 draw with Iowa Raptors.

New Lenox (June 11, 2022)  - Wonder Twin Powers - ACTIVATE!. Jake Lysik and Nolan McGrath have assisted on each other's goals five times in the last fourth matches.

 Joliet (July 12)  Steel City blew a late lead for the third time this season to draw with Berber City 2-2. The Steelmen remain undefeated over a 2-year period at Duly. 

 Frankfort (July 9)  Steel City Reserves finished in 2nd place in the Under-23 Illinois State Cup. It was the first-ever season that Steel City entered a reserve side in competition. Bright future!  

 Frankfort (July 9)  Cedar Rapids nets 3 in first 18 minutess to down Steel City in Midwest Premier League action in Iowa. Conucrrently, in Northbrook, Steel City Reserves lost in the U23 Illinois Sate Cup Final.  

Frankfort (July 5) Adria took advantage of three set pieces to down to Steel City 3-0. Steel City is now 2 wins 2 losses and 2 ties after having played the top five teams in the table. The team's next five matches - to end the season - is against bottom half of table teams. 

Joliet (June 26) Steel City Reserves, who play in the National Soccer League's Under-23 division are an offensive juggernaut. The team plays in the semi-final of the U23 Illinois State Cup Wednesday after beating DeKalb County United Reserves 6-1. In league play, the Reserves beat Roadrunners SC 4-3.

DeKalb (June 25) Steel City FC drew with league leaders DeKalb County United Saturday night. Nolan McGrath's near post header - off of a Jake Lysik corner - leveled the match 1-1 at half, and Michael Marchionna's well-placed 18-yard left foot gave Steel City a 2-1 lead.  DeKalb tied it 2-2, before Lysik responded - from a tight angle. The hosts plowed bodies forward for a corner kick four minutes into stoppage time, and a goal-mouth-scramble saw the hosts level with the game's last kick.

Kankakee (June 15) Steel City nation will need to wait a 104th year before a team in its area wins a State Cup. Steel City dropped a close one to Cjzarni Jaslo 2-1. Shea Bechtel leveled before halftime, but Cjzarni converted a penalty mid-second-half. It was Bechtel's third in two games and Nolan McGrath earned his team leading 5th assist on the season.

 Joliet (June 11) It's been 103 years since a team in our area won the Illinois State Cup, which has been played every year since 1909. Czarni is a formidable opponent, having eliminated Steel City last season. Czarni won the UPSL (rival league) Midwest South division by going undefeated and posting a +35 goal difference over 9 matches.

New Lenox (June 11, 2022) - Steel City played - and won- their first ever match at Lincoln Way Central High School against the defending champion Milwaukee Bavarians. Shea Bechtel bagged a brace and Nolan McGrath continued his hot scoring streak. Lysik and Garcia each contributed their fourth assists of the season.

New Lenox (June 11, 2022) - Wonder Twin Powers - ACTIVATE!. Jake Lysik and Nolan McGrath have assisted on each other's goals five times in the last fourth matches.

Joliet (June 12) While both Steel City Reserves and Steel City U23#2 dropped their matches this week, there were standout performances by Ricky Cruz, Hans Haenicke, Kevin Quinones and Ismael Gomez.

Joliet (June 9) For the first time every Steel City FC U23#2 took the field. It's a team - coached by Hugo Hernandez - with an average age of 18 and comprised of many of the area's top high school students competing in an U23 league and holding their own. Steel Strong!

Joliet (March 7, 2022) – Steel City FC announced that its renewed its partnership with D'Arcy. The partnership includes collaboration on the club’s alternate jersey, which is unique, bold and honors a local Joliet institution.

Joliet (February 28, 2022) – Steel City FC announced that Ozinga will be the presenting sponsor of Steel City FC and will prominently feature on the front of Steel City FC’s primary match jersey. Click picture for more info. 

 Seymour was named First Team All-ASC. The Lincoln Way West grad scored 6 goals and helped with 6 shutouts in 14 games. He was 6th in the conference in scoring AS A DEFENDER! The marauding ourside back had 1G/3A for Steel City in '21.  

The Daily Journal highlighted Steel City Technical Director Vincent Mkhwanazi's aspiration to create a soccer community.

Joliet's native son, Damon Almazan, is the first Steel City player to sign a pro contract. Damon signed with Chicago House AC.

Zoe Swift, from  Ladies Steel City FC signed a pro contract with Puerto Rico Sol FC.  That's our club's second pro signing!

Steel City FC became the first club in U.S. Soccer history to receive apayment from a pro club in connection with Almazan signing.

Steel City will became the first team to ever host a professional soccer team in the south suburbs when they take on Chicago House AC.

Steel City FC is approved to join the Midwest Premier League's West Division for the 2021 season.