Previewing the ECFC Men’s First Team 2025 Season
CHICAGO — With the 2025 season closing in, Edgewater Castle FC is gearing up for a pivotal season. Returning to the Midwest Premier League Heartland Division 2, the Rooks look to improve on their fourth-place finish last season.
Under new head coach Duygu Erdoğan, the Rooks are ready to battle using Erdogan's coaching style deeply rooted in determination. “The most important aspect of my coaching philosophy is to never give up mentally,” Erdoğan says. “As long as we control the game, there is always a solution.”
In the 2023-2024 season, the Rooks came away with five wins, four draws, and three losses, earning 19 points.
Elsewhere in the league, last year’s top two teams, AFC Roscoe and Green Bay Glory, have been promoted to the Heartland Division 1, while last year’s third-place team, Rockford FC, looks to maintain their steady form. The league’s remaining teams are Chicago Ghost FC, Berber City SC, Strikers Fox Valley SC, Chicago City Dutch Lions, and RKC Third Coast II, the latter two having just entered the division.
The Rooks are vying for a top spot, as well as looking to take another shot at the Illinois State Soccer Association (ISSA) State Cup title. Last year's run saw the Rooks make it all the way to the final after big wins against AFC Roscoe, FC Select, and Wisla Chicago, but they ultimately lost against Wisloka Chicago.
A potentially big matchup this season could be against the Green Bay Glory if the two teams meet in the USASA Amateur Cup. Last year’s meeting ended in a 3-2 win for the Rooks and a promotion. This nail-biter of a game saw an early two-goal push by the Glory, which spurred the Rooks to score a three-goal comeback.
The Rooks’ star player in that game was right-winger Enzo Dagatti who scored the game-winning goal off a penalty kick. Dagatti also contributed to the Rooks’ ISSA State Cup run with a pair of goals, including a 5-1 win against Wisla Chicago.
Dagatti finished his season leading the team with nine goals across all competitions. Another very prominent player on the Rooks offense is Jake Krueger, who tallied seven goals, finishing second on the team to Dagatti. The two combined for 16 of the team's 26 goals on the season.
Returning to the team this year is captain and center back Quentin “Q” Benedetto. Benedetto's leadership from the back line has been key to the team's success so far, also recording a goal last season. “Returners look very good so far. Q’s style of play as a center back has been top tier,” said Gareth Mullins, ECFC’s Director of Communications.
This new season brings excitement, hope and a fierce competitive spirit. Each team is ready to fight for the title, and with the season up for grabs, any story can be written. The Rooks are ready to represent their community on the pitch. “Community is very important. The players see each other as a big family, and the ability to be a part of a club like this is why so many great players come back,” said Mullins. “[It’s] the joy of being able to play for something bigger than yourself.”