Edgewater Castle FC
Edgewater Castle Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Edgewater Castle or ECFC, is a semi-professional soccer club in Edgewater, Chicago, recognized for its community focus and commitment to free player participation. Founded in 2017 with a "Soccer For All" philosophy, the club includes both men's and women's teams, which are set to join the national USL League Two and USL W League in 2026. ECFC home matches are held at Loyola University Chicago's Hoyne Field, and the organization supports free youth programming through its Edgewater Castle Football Foundation. The women's team secured the club's first national title by winning the United Women's Soccer National Championship in 2025.
History
Edgewater Castle FC was founded in 2017 by James Kitia and Andrew Swanson to provide accessible football opportunities for low-income, immigrant, and refugee communities on Chicago’s North Side. The club adopted a Free to Play model from the beginning and, working through its non-profit foundation, offered camps, clinics, and pick-up sessions. Over its first eight years, more than 3,000 young people took part in these programs.The club's women's team joined United Women's Soccer in 2023.
During the early to mid 2020s the club expanded its football structures and became a community-owned organization with more than 50 owners, including former United States international Kellyn Acosta. It also began producing players who went on to professional careers in England, Italy, Dubai, and Major League Soccer.
In 2025, both senior teams recorded successes. The men’s first team won the Heartland Division II title in the Midwest Premier League and secured promotion. The women’s first team, coached by Emma Woodley, completed a 9 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses season in United Women’s Soccer and won the UWS National Championship. Over the same year, Woodley also led North Park University to a national collegiate title.
In 2026, the club will join the USL system, with the men’s side entering USL League Two and the women’s side entering the USL W League. That season will also see a move to Winnemac Stadium in the Ravenswood area, a 4,500-seat venue that will serve as its primary home ground. North Park University’s Holmgren Athletic Complex will act as an alternate venue. The United Soccer League welcomed the club, noting its local impact and growth within Chicago’s football landscape.