Organizing body | NISA |
---|---|
Founded | September 17, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-09-17) |
First season | 2021 |
Country | United States |
Confederation | CONCACAF (North American Football Union) |
Divisions | 4 |
Number of clubs | 22 |
Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup |
League cup(s) | NISA Independent Cup |
International cup(s) | CONCACAF Champions League (via U.S. Open Cup) |
Current champion(s) | New York Greek American (1st title) |
Most championships | NoVa FC New York Greek American (1 title each) |
TV partners | Eleven Sports |
Website | nisanation |
Current: 2024 NISA Nation season |
NISA Nation is a semi-professional men's soccer league in the United States. The league is below the professional leagues in the United States soccer league system and began play in 2021. NISA Nation is affiliated with the third tier professional league National Independent Soccer Association.
History
On August 25, 2021, Atlantic City FC was announced as the first club of the newly formed league. Two weeks later, NISA Nation announced they had six teams for their inaugural season and they would play a 10-game schedule in the Northeast Region. This inaugural region included the leagues first promoted team, Steel Pulse FC from the Eastern Premier Soccer League. In October 2021, NISA Nation announced the start of a second region. The Southwest Region was started with four teams, each team playing six games in a round robin format. New Jersey Alliance FC beat New Amsterdam FC II 4–0 to secure the first regional championship for the Northeast Region. In early January 2022, FC Golden State Force claimed the first Southwest Region championship.
On January 6, 2022, it was announced that NISA Nation earned from the United States Adult Soccer Association the USASA provisional national league license, a license that gave recognition to the league and that opens the way to U.S. Open Cup spots directly from the league. The Florida Region was announced in the Spring of 2022, with five teams facing each other three times in the Orlando area. In addition to the Florida Region, NISA Nation announced that the Northeast Region's spring season would consist of eight clubs playing 10 games a piece. The defending champions New Jersey Alliance FC, returned to defend their title during the spring season. In May 2022, the Pacific Region was announced with four teams, playing a 12-game schedule. This brought the league to 23 teams for the Spring of 2022. Each region crowned a champion for the 2022 NISA Nation season. The four champions were Club De Lyon (Florida Region), New Jersey Alliance FC (Northeast Region), Battleborn FC (Pacific Region), and Capo FC (Southwest Region).
NISA Nation announced in early 2023 that the Southwest region would return for play in the spring with six clubs, including three previous clubs and three new clubs: AS Los Angeles, SC Union Maricopa, and Olympiacos CA. In early 2023, NISA Nation announced the addition of the Pacific Division for the spring, with five teams committed and ten teams planned. In July 2023, NISA Nation announced the formation of the Texas Region for fall 2023. For the fall of 2023, NISA Nation ran three regional leagues; Pacific, Southwest, and Texas Regions.
National Championship
In October 2023, NISA Nation announced that they would hold their inaugural National Championship, which would have three rounds to determine the national champions. Eligible to participate were the champions of the NISA Nation regions, as well as the champions of its affiliate leagues. The two finalists, Northern Virginia FC and Las Vegas Legends, were both invited to promote to the third-tier NISA. The inaugural Championship represented the first opportunity for merit-based promotion to the professional level in the United States soccer league system.
NISA Independent Cup
Teams from NISA Nation participated in the 36 team NISA Independent Cup in 2022.
U.S. Open Cup
Clubs in NISA Nation can qualify for the U.S. Open Cup through the local qualifying route. Capo FC and Club de Lyon are the only two teams to qualify for the tournament proper, which they both did in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.
U.S. Open Cup Participation | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Participating Team | Final Round | Ref. |
2023 | Battleborn FC | Fourth qualifying round | |
Capo FC | Second round | ||
SC Union Maricopa | Second qualifying round | ||
Club de Lyon | First round | ||
Deportivo Lake Mary | First qualifying round | ||
2024 | Battleborn FC | First qualifying round | |
Bay Area United FC | Second qualifying round | ||
Capo FC | Second qualifying round | ||
JASA RWC | First qualifying round | ||
Temecula FC | Fourth qualifying round | ||
2025 | Las Vegas Legends | Fourth qualifying round | |
Modesto City FC | Second qualifying round | ||
Roc City Boom | Second qualifying round | ||
Soccer Academy Nevada | Second qualifying round |
Associations
NISA Nation is affiliated and plans to begin a pro-rel system with 6 leagues all over the country: the Cascadia Premier League in Washington and Oregon, the Eastern Premier Soccer League in the north east, the Mountain Premier League in the Rocky Mountains region, and the Southwest Premier League in the southwestern United States, the Gulf Coast Premier League in the deep south, the Pioneer Premier League in Tennessee and Kentucky, the Midwest Premier League in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. In 2023 reaffirmed their association with Cascadia Premier League, Eastern Premier Soccer League, Mountain Premier League, and Southwest Premier League. This aligned all four leagues top division aside NISA Nation. This will continue to provide these leagues with slots in the NISA Independent Cup and began a new initiative that provided a national championship to be competed between NISA Nation Regional champions and league winners. In August 2023, NISA Nation announced the association with Florida Gold Coast League. In October 2023, NISA Nation announced their affiliation with Metroplex Premier League, an amateur league from North Texas. In February 2024, NISA Nation announced the Upstate New York Region as the fourth region for the 2024 Spring season.
Level | League(s)/division(s) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | National Independent Soccer Association 9 clubs | ||||||
4 | NISA Nation Upstate New York Region 4 clubs |
NISA Nation Texas Region 1 club |
NISA Nation Pacific Region 8 clubs |
NISA Nation Southwest Region 8 clubs | |||
5 | Cascadia Premier League | Eastern Premier Soccer League | Florida Gold Coast League | Metroplex Premier League | Mountain Premier League | Southwest Premier League |
Cascadia Premier League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Cascadia Premier League Premier 1 Men's Premier League 1 - Baker Division 5 clubs |
Cascadia Premier League Premier 1 Men's Premier League 1 - Columbia Division 4 clubs |
Cascadia Premier League Premier 1 Men's Premier League 1 - Rainier Division 5 clubs |
||
6 | Cascadia Premier League 2 Men's Premier 2 - Cascade Division 5 clubs |
Cascadia Premier League 2 Men's Premier 2 - Pacific Division 6 clubs |
Eastern Premier Soccer League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Eastern Premier Soccer League Delaware River Conference 8 clubs |
Eastern Premier Soccer League Metropolitan Conference 12 clubs |
Eastern Premier Soccer League Mid-Atlantic Conference 8 clubs |
Eastern Premier Soccer League Northeast Conference 5 clubs | ||||
6 | Casa Soccer League Select Liga 1 5 clubs |
Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 1 11 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League Super Division 10 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Premier Division 7 clubs |
Maryland Major Soccer League 10 clubs |
|||
7 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 2 - East 9 clubs |
Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 2 - West 9 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League A Division - Central 11 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League A Division - North 11 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Division 1 7 clubs |
|||
8 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 3 - East 7 clubs |
Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 3 - West 7 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League B Division - Central 11 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League B Division - North 9 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Division 2 7 clubs |
|||
9 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 4 10 clubs |
Florida Gold Coast League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | |
---|---|---|
5 | Florida Gold Coast League North Division 4 clubs |
Florida Gold Coast League South Division 4 clubs |
Metroplex Premier League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | |
---|---|---|
5 | Metroplex Premier League 8 clubs | |
6 | Metroplex Premier League 2 West Division 5 clubs |
Metroplex Premier League 2 East Division 5 clubs |
Mountain Premier League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | |
---|---|---|
5 | Mountain Premier League Eastern Division 6 clubs |
Mountain Premier League Western Division 2 clubs |
Southwest Premier League
Level | League(s)/division(s) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Arizona Premier League
Men's Open Arizona |
Baja CA San Diego Premier League
Men's Open San Diego |
Enhancement Premier League
Men's Open |
Nevada Premier League
Men's Open Nevada |
Pacific Premier League
Men's Open Pacific |
SoCal Premier League
Men's Open SoCal |
6 | SoCal Premier League
Second Division | |||||
7 |
Current Teams
Coast Region
Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capo FC | San Juan Capistrano, California | JSerra Catholic High School | 2006 | 2022 |
FC Golden State Force | Pomona, California | Rio Hondo College | 2015 | 2021 |
Irvine Zeta FC | Irvine, California | 2022 | 2024 | |
Olympiacos CA | Huntington Beach, California | Al Barbour Field | 2012 | 2023 |
Temecula FC | Temecula, California | Chaparral High School | 2013 | 2023 |
Worldwide Problems FC | Orange County, California | Chaparral High School | 2018 | 2024 |
Pacific Region
Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Club Tepa | San Francisco, California | South San Francisco High School | 1994 | 2024 |
Elk Grove Blues | Elk Grove, California | Sheldon High School | 2018 | 2024 |
Modesto Ciy FC | Modesto, California | Central Catholic High School | 2019 | 2023 |
Southwest Region
Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Las Vegas Legends | Las Vegas, Nevada | Christo Rey St. Viator High School | 2012 | 2021 |
Soccer Academy Nevada | Las Vegas, Nevada | Cimarron-Memorial High School | 2024 | |
STG Premier Pro | St. George, Utah | Pine View High School | 2024 |
Texas Region
Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First season |
---|---|---|---|---|
FC Brownsville | Brownsville, Texas | Brownsville Sports Park | 2018 | 2023 |
Upstate New York Region
Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First season |
---|---|---|---|---|
Binghamton FC | Binghamton, New York | 2012 | 2024 | |
Gaffer City FC | Corning, New York | 2023 | 2024 | |
Roc City Boom | Rochester, New York | 2019 | 2024 | |
Sahara Gunners FC | Buffalo, New York | 2021 | 2024 | |
United Elite Krajisnick FC | Utica, New York | 1977 | 2024 | |
FC Dutchmen Independence | Utica, New York | 2021 | 2024 |
Location map
Modesto City FCClub TepaElk Grove BluesCapoGolden StateOlympiacos CATemecula FCIrvine Zeta FCWorldwide Problem FCLas VegasSoccer Academy NevadaSTG Premier ProFC BrownsvilleBinghamton FCUnited Elite Krajisnick FCRoc City BoomSahara Gunners FCGaffer City FCFC Dutchman Independenceclass=notpageimage| NISA Nation clubsSouthwest Region; Coast Region; Pacific Region; Texas Region; Upper New York Region Former teams {
Champions
National Championship
Season | Champion | Runner-up |
---|---|---|
2023 | Northern Virginia FC (EPSL) | Las Vegas Legends |
2024 | New York Greek American (EPSL) | Worldwide Problems FC |
West Region Finals
Season | Champion | Runner-up | Third | Fourth |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2023 | Las Vegas Legends | FC Golden State Force | FC Brownsville | Peak XI FC (MPL) |
Fall 2024 | Worldwide Problems FC | Las Vegas Legends | Peak XI FC (MPL) | Chula Vista FC (SWPL) |
Season Results
Region | Champion | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
Spring 2021 | |||
Northeast | New Jersey Alliance FC | New Amsterdam FC II | Steel Pulse FC |
Fall 2021 | |||
Southwest | FC Golden State Force | Las Vegas Legends | Chula Vista FC |
Spring 2022 | |||
Florida | Club de Lyon | Atletico Orlando | Deportivo Lake Mary |
Northest | New Jersey Alliance FC | Union SC | New York Braveheart |
Pacific | Battleborn FC | AFC South Bay | San Francisco Elite Metro FC |
Southwest | Capo FC | FC Golden State Force | Las Vegas Legends |
Spring 2023 | |||
Pacific | Battleborn FC | JASA RWC | Windmill City FC |
Southwest | FC Golden State Force | Temecula FC | Capo FC |
Fall 2023 | |||
Pacific | Battleborn FC | JASA RWC | Windmill City FC |
Southwest | FC Golden State Force | Temecula FC | Capo FC |
Texas | FC Brownsville | Matias Almeyda FC | AC Houston Sur |
Spring 2024 | |||
Pacific | Silicon Valley Rush | Bay Area United | Afghan Premier |
Southwest | Las Vegas Legends | FC Golden State Force | Capo FC |
Western NY | Roc City Boom | Binghamton FC | United Elite Krajisnik FC |
Fall 2024 | |||
Coast | Worldwide Problems FC | Las Vegas Legends | FC Golden State Force |
Pacific | Silicon Valley Rush | Club Tepa | Afghan Premier |
Leadership
Name | Years | Title | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
John Prutch | 2022– | Commissioner | |
Matt Morse | 2022– | Managing Director, Independent Cup, & Affiliates | |
Kenneth Henriques | 2022– | Referee Coordinator | |
Carlos Budyszewick | 2023– | Director of Expansion and Outreach |
References
- "NISA NATION PAVES NEW PATH TO PRO SOCCER". NISA Nation. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- Lewis, Michael (17 September 2020). "PATHWAY TO THE PROS: NISA Nation is unveiled for amateur clubs seeking greater challenges". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- Ralph, Matthew (25 August 2021). "Atlantic City FC first club announced in new NISA Nation league". www.brotherlygame.com. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- "NISA Nation first region set for play". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. September 17, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "NISA Nation solidifies second region". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. October 22, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "New Jersey Alliance FC earns first ever NISA Nation regional title". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "FC Golden state force claims inaugural NISA Nation Southwest Region". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- "NISA Nation earns provisional national league designation from United States Adult Soccer Association". www.nisanation.com. NISA Nation. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- "NISA Naion announces inaugural Florida region schedule". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. March 22, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- "EXxpanded NISA Nation Northeast Region set for play". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. March 24, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- "NISA Nation Pacific Region set to play". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. May 3, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "NISA Nation announces Carlos Budyszewick as new Director of Outreach & Expansion". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. June 26, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "NISA Nation spring season crowns four champions". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation announces return of Southwest Division for 2023". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation announces new Pacific Division for 2023". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. February 21, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation announces activation of new Texas Region". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. July 21, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation announces schedules for fall season". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 30, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA announces National Championship tournament for NISA Nation and regional premier league affiliates". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. October 12, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA promotes Las Vegas Legends to Pro". NISAOfficial.com. NISA. January 12, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- "NISA Independent Cup announces 2022 schedule". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. June 20, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- Sillick, Jake (February 9, 2023). "2023 US Open Cup: 100 teams will play in 2023, 28 teams will face off in 14 matches for the First Round in late March". TheCup.us. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "NISA Nation announces five amateur clubs to compete for U.S. Open Cup glory". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 18, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Cali's grassroots strivers CAPO FC making most of cup opportunity". www.USSoccer.com. United States Soccer Association. March 29, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- Fontela, Jonah (December 19, 2022). "Nine through to the big time: #USOC2023 fourth round qualifying review". www.USSoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Five NISA Nation clubs begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying this weekend". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. September 7, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- Padilla, Kathryne (November 20, 2023). "2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Irvine Zeta's early goal sets tone in win vs. Temecula FC". TheCup.US. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- Hakala, Josh (December 9, 2024). "2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Weekend Review: 4 dramatic goalfests, 2 PK shootouts, 1 forfeit completes Open Division Local field". thecup.us. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Hakala, Josh (October 30, 2024). "2025 US Open Cup Qualifying Second Weekend Report: 40 amateur teams take step toward 110th USOC". thecup.us. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- "Home". Cascadia Premier League. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- "Pro/Rel focused league NISA secures amateur league affiliation with EPSL". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- Lewis, Michael (3 September 2020). "WORKING TOGETHER: NISA partners with Midwest Premier League". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- "NISA reaffirms regional premier league affiliations and announces new NISA Nation championship". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. June 20, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation announces affiliation with the historic Florida Gold Coast League". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 8, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA NATION ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH THE METROPLEX PREMIER LEAGUENation announces affiliation with the Metroplex Premier League". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "NISA Nation announces activation of upstate New York region". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- "Capo FC Re-joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Olympiacos CA joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. January 25, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Temecula FC joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. January 11, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Worldwide Problems FC joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Elk Grove Blues join NISA Nation". NISA Nation. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- "Modesto City FC joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. March 3, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Las Vegas Legends re-join NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. July 19, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Soccer Academy Nevada Joins NISA Nation". September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- "STG Premier Pro Joins NISA Nation". September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- "FC Brownsville joins NISA nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 3, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Gaffer City FC joins NISA Nation". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- "Sahara Gunners FC joins NISA Nation". NISA Nation. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- "United Elite Krajisnik FC joins NISA Nation". NISA Nation. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- "FC Dutchmen Independence joins NISA Nation". NISA Nation. April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- "NoVa FC wins epic inaugural NISA Nation National Championship". www.NISANation.com. NISA Nation. December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- "NY Greek American Gets The Goals To Win NISA Nation Championship". NISA Nation. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- "Las Vegas Legends FC captures NISA Nation West Region crown". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. November 19, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Worldwide Problems FC Sticks To Plan, Claims West Regional Title". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- "Battleborn FC claimed second NISA Nation Pacific Region Title". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. July 14, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "FC Golden State Force score NISA Nation Southwest Region title". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. June 15, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Week 12: Battleborn FC takes Pacific Region title over Bay Area United". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "Silicon Valley Rush captures Pacific Region with overtime win". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- "Las Vegas Legends FC claims Southwest Region Title". NISA Nation. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- "Roc City Boom plays way to inaugural Western NY Region title". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- "Week 9 Recap: Worldwide Problems FC Secures Coast Region Title". NISA Nation. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- "Week 10 Recap: Problems FC Secures Most Goals & Points This Fall Season". NISA Nation. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- Lewis, Michael (September 17, 2020). "PATHWAY TO THE PROS: NISA Nation is unveiled for amateur clubs seeking greater challenges". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- "Nation elevates Matt Morse as new lead". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- "NISA Nation taps Kenneth Henriques as Referee coordinator". NISANation.com. NISA Nation. March 18, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
External links
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