RWB Adria

History

RWB Adria, whose full name is Red White and Blue Adria, is a Chicago-based American soccer club that plays in the Midwest Premier League and the National Soccer League of Chicago. Croatian immigrants founded the club in 1959, and it has since become one of Illinois’ most decorated sides, reportedly holding the state record for total trophies won. The most famous player to wear the club’s colors was Portuguese legend Eusébio, who played for RWB Adria in the late 1970s.

Since the Croatian North American Soccer Tournament began in 1964, RWB Adria has been a regular participant, winning it 12 times—trailing only Toronto Croatia. The club has entered the U.S. Open Cup five times: in 1991, when it reached the semifinals, and again in 1996, 2007, 2008, and 2014. Its main rivals are fellow Chicago Croatian-American clubs HNK Zrinski Chicago and HNNK Hrvat Chicago. In 2015, RWB competed in the new Great Lakes Premier League against teams from Wisconsin and Michigan, winning the title with a perfect 5-0 record after Oakland United lost 4-3 at home on July 12.

The team planned to join the Midwest Premier League in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled that season, delaying its debut until 2021.