National Independent Soccer Association
The National Independent Soccer Association is a professional men's soccer league in the United States. The league is in the third tier of American soccer and began play in 2019.
History
On June 6, 2017, it was announced that the newly formed National Independent Soccer Association would begin play in 2018 targeting an initial 8 to 10 teams, later revised to 8 to 12 teams. Initially, the league outlined plans to introduce a promotion/relegation system, once they reach their goal of 24 teams, the first in US professional soccer and in doing so act as a feeder league to the North American Soccer League ; however, the NASL ceased operations prior to those plans being implemented.On February 13, 2018, NISA co-founder Jack Cummins died suddenly. On May 17, 2018, NISA co-founder Peter Wilt left the NISA to help start up Forward Madison FC in Madison, Wisconsin in USL League One. A committee of club owners has been formed to elect new leadership within the organization.
On August 31, 2018, NISA filed an application with the United States Soccer Federation for sanctioning as a men's professional league, playing at the third division. On February 16, 2019, NISA was provisionally sanctioned as a Division III league by the United States Soccer Federation. In May 2019, it was announced that clubs were not happy with the silence from the league and that Bob Watkins was no longer the President of NISA and that John Prutch had taken the helm as commissioner. During this same timeframe, the league's start date was pushed back from August 2019 to a targeted September start date.
On June 10, 2019, it became known that both Miami FC and California United Strikers FC were approved at the recent board of governors meeting to join NISA, while the previously identified club in Central Florida would play in Baton Rouge, Louisiana instead of Daytona Beach, Florida. However, it was unclear whether either of the teams would start before the league's September start date. On June 27, 2019 it was announced that Oakland Roots SC would have their inaugural season with the league in the spring season, rather than the previously announced NPSL Founders Cup. On August 15, 2019, the league officially announced the addition of Oakland Roots for the 2019 season and Chattanooga FC, Detroit City FC, and Michigan Stars FC for early 2020.
The inaugural season began on August 31, 2019, with a 3–3 draw for Oakland Roots SC and California United Strikers FC in Oakland. On April 27, 2020, following previous postponements, the remainder of the 2019–20 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clubs
Current
Former
| Club | City | Joined | Final season | Fate |
| Miami FC | Miami, Florida | Fall 2019 | Fall 2019 | Moved to USL Championship |
| Philadelphia Fury | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Fall 2019 | Fall 2019 | Inactive |
| Atlanta SC | Alpharetta, Georgia | Fall 2019 | Fall 2019 | Inactive |
Champions
Teams that no longer participate in the National Independent Soccer Association are in italics.| Team | NISA Final | Year won | Conference title | Year won | Regular season title | Year won | NISA seasons |
| Miami FC | 1 | Fall 2019 | 1 | Fall 2019 | 0.5 | ||
| California United Strikers FC | 1 | Fall 2019 | 1 | ||||
| Los Angeles Force | 1 | Fall 2019 | 1 |
NISA Final results
Staff
Current
- John Prutch – commissioner
- Brian Melekian – chief operating officer
- Joshua Prutch – executive vice president of expansion
- Jim Thompson – chief financial officer
- Samantha Prutch – director of communications
- Nick Mahrt – director of internal affairs
- Lana Masiuk – director of business operations
Previous leadership
- Bob Watkins – president
- Peter Wilt – co-founder
- Jack Cummins – co-founder