Major League Indoor Soccer Expands Midwest Footprint with Addition of Rockford Thunder

Chicago, IL - A new chapter in professional indoor soccer is debuting this winter in Rockford, IL., as the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) welcomes Rockford Thunder for the 2025-26 season.

Founded by co-owners Fernando Rodriguez and Raul Sanchez, Rockford Thunder marks a new milestone in the city’s sports scene. Rodriguez and Sanchez bring deep ties to the game and their community.

Rodriguez, a lifelong soccer player, transitioned into coaching and team management over the years. He formed a competitive men’s team in the International Soccer League of Rockford, IL, which won two championships. After five years of success in that league, Rodriguez says launching a professional indoor club in the MLIS came naturally.

“It felt like the right time to take the next step,” Rodriguez says. “We [have] the support, the interest, and the players to make it happen.”

Sanchez, who moved to the United States from Cuba at 12 years old, found soccer to be a grounding force. “I started playing more seriously in high school and just kept going,” Sanchez says. “It became a passion, and eventually, a vision we wanted to grow into something bigger.”

The Thunder will play its home matches at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, a facility with an estimated capacity of around 1,000 spectators.

Rodriguez and Sanchez also expressed their appreciation for those who have supported the club’s launch. “We want to thank the Rockford Park District, the Stateline Sports Group, and especially Louis Matthews and Jose Zamora for helping make this possible,” Rodriguez says.

The Rockford Thunder adds to a growing list of MLIS clubs in the Midwest, including the Cleveland Crunch (Cleveland, Ohio), Chicago Panathinaikos (Chicago PAO), Chicago Mustangs (Chicago, Ill.), Summit City United (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Red Cedar FC (Lansing, Mich.). The Chicago Mustangs and Chicago PAO are just a 2 hour and 20-minute drive from Rockford.

Fans can follow team updates on social media @rockfordthunder_fc on Instagram and Rockford Thunder on Facebook.