2023 National Independent Soccer Association season

Last updated

National Independent Soccer Association
Season 2023
DatesMar. 31 – Oct. 25 (regular season)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 11 (playoffs)
Champions City Union
Regular season title Chattanooga FC
Matches played108
Goals scored268 (2.48 per match)
Top goalscorer Markus Naglestad (15)
← 2022
2024 →
All statistics correct as of November 11, 2023.

The 2023 NISA season is the fifth season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. Michigan Stars are the defending champions, after winning the 2022 season.

Contents

Teams

Of the eight teams that finished the 2022 season, five return for 2023, two (Flower City Union and Syracuse Pulse) merge to form a new team branded City Union, and one, California United Strikers, is on hiatus, with the aim to return in 2024. [1]

The six teams are joined by three expansion clubs: Club de Lyon, Gold Star FC and Savannah Clovers FC. [1]

Stadiums and locations

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Locations of announced clubs
  • Red pog.svg Participating club
TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
Albion San Diego San Diego, CA Canyon Crest Academy Stadium 5,000
Chattanooga FC Chattanooga, TN Finley Stadium 20,668
City Union Rochester, NY
Auburn, NY 		Marina Auto Stadium
Falcon Park 		13,768
2,800
Club de Lyon Daytona Beach, FL Daytona Stadium 9,601
Gold Star FC Livonia, MI Gold Star Stadium 5,000
Los Angeles Force Irvine, CA Championship Stadium 5,000
Maryland Bobcats Boyds, MD Maryland SoccerPlex 4,000
Michigan Stars Washington, MI Romeo High School 4,000
Savannah Clovers Savannah, GA Memorial Stadium 5,000

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: The league has signed a deal with Hummel to be the official kit manufacturer, but it still allows clubs to find their own provider. [2]
TeamHead coachCaptain(s)Kit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Albion San Diego Flag of Spain.svg Diego Gómez Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Gabarra Flag of the United States.svg Capelli DarkHorse
Chattanooga FC Flag of the United States.svg Rod Underwood Flag of Jamaica.svg Richard Dixon Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel Volkswagen
City Union Flag of England.svg Jordan Sullivan Flag of the United States.svg Mumbi Kwesele Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel —
Club de Lyon Flag of the United States.svg Victor Balaguer Flag of Venezuela.svg Victor Rojas Flag of Germany.svg Adidas —
Gold Star FC Flag of the United States.svg Alex Lubyansky Flag of the United States.svg Brandon Barnes Flag of Germany.svg Adidas —
Los Angeles Force Flag of the United States.svg Matt Morse Flag of the United States.svg Brandon Gomez Flag of the United States.svg Xara—
Maryland Bobcats Flag of France.svg Alex Kao Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Josselin Possian Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel Holiday Inn College Park
Michigan Stars Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Tatenda Mkuruva Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel HTC
Savannah Clovers Flag of England.svg David Proctor Flag of the United States.svg Shandon Wright Flag of England.svg Umbro Castro Wood Floors

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming coachDate of appointment
Albion San Diego Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Korytoski Signed by Chattanooga Red Wolves SC December 14, 2022 [3] Preseason Flag of Spain.svg Diego Gómez February 23, 2023
City Union Flag of the United States.svg Colton Bly (interim)End of interim periodFebruary 10, 2023 Flag of England.svg Jordan SullivanFebruary 10, 2023 [4]
Maryland Bobcats Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sylvain RastelloResignedFebruary 21, 2023 Flag of France.svg Alex KaoMarch 1, 2023 [5]
Los Angeles Force Flag of Mexico.svg Jesus Ochoa (interim)End of interim periodApril 23, 20235th Flag of the United States.svg Matt MorseApril 23, 2023 [6]

Regular season

The season started on March 31, with the nine teams playing an unbalanced schedule weighted on regional play. [7]

Standings

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Chattanooga FC (X)2415724112+2952Qualification for the semifinals
2 Michigan Stars 2413743721+1646
3 Los Angeles Force 2413563321+1244Qualification for the playoffs
4 Albion San Diego 2411853121+1041
5 Maryland Bobcats 24113103122+936
6 City Union (C)2483133034−427
7 Club de Lyon 2465132345−2223
8 Savannah Clovers 2447131947−2819
9 Gold Star FC 2433182345−2212
Source: nisasoccer.com
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) goal differential; 3) goals for; 4) head-to-head; 5) goals against
(C) Champions; (X) Regular season winner

Results

Home \ Away ALB CHA FLO CLY GOL LAF MAR MIC SAV ALB CHA FLO CLY GOL LAF MAR MIC SAV ALB CHA FLO CLY GOL LAF MAR MIC SAV
Albion San Diego —0–52–03–11–02–00–01–10–0—3–00–02–24–0—
Chattannooga 2–0—1–01–13–03–01–02–01–1—0–01–01–13–15–0—
City Union 1–10–1—2–42–01–30–32–32–00–2—1–10–12–04–2—
Club de Lyon 1–20–3 [upper-alpha 1] —3–20–00–30–41–22–1—0–21–1—
Gold Star FC 0–11–22–31–2—0–32–02–31–11–3—0–10–12–4—
L.A. Force 1–12–12–11–03–0—2–11–11–12–04–0—2–11–0—
Maryland Bobcats 0–11–21–05–13–12–1—0–24–11–12–00–1—0–00–1—
Michigan Stars 0–10–02–03–12–12–11–2—2–00–01–00–2——
Savannah Clovers 1–43–20–30–10–12–01–1—0–12–20–50–1——
Source: nisasoccer.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Playoffs

The playoffs will keep the same format from last year, and feature the top six teams from the regular season. The top two teams receive a bye into the semifinals. Teams finishing third through sixth play in the quarterfinals, with the winners being re-seeded before playing in the next round.

Bracket

Quarterfinal
October 29
   
3 Los Angeles Force 2
6 Flower City Union 4
Quarterfinal
October 28
   
4 Albion San Diego (p)0 (8)
5 Maryland Bobcats FC 0 (7)
Semifinals
November 4/5 		NISA Championship Final
November 11
      
1 Chattanooga FC 0 (0)
6 Flower City Union (p)0 (2)
6 Flower City Union 1
2 Michigan Stars FC 0
2 Michigan Stars FC 3
4 Albion San Diego 2

Schedule

Quarter-finals

October 28, 2023 (2023-10-28) Albion San Diego 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(8–7 p)		 Maryland Bobcats FC San Diego, California
5:30 PM PDT
Report
Stadium: Canyon Crest Academy Stadium
Penalties
October 29, 2023 (2023-10-29) Los Angeles Force 2–4 Flower City Union Whittier, California
6:00 PM PDT
Report
Stadium: Rio Hondo College Stadium

Semi-finals

November 4, 2023 (2023-11-04) Michigan Stars FC 3–2 Albion San Diego Washington Township, Michigan
3:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Romeo High School

NISA Championship Final

November 11, 2023 (2023-11-11) Michigan Stars FC 0–1 Flower City Union Washington Township, Michigan
Report
Stadium: Romeo High School

Player statistics

As of October 25, 2023

Awards

Individual awards

AwardWinnerTeamReasonRef.
Golden Boot Flag of Norway.svg Markus Naglestad Chattanooga FC 15 goals in 23 games [10]
Golden Glove Flag of Haiti.svg Jean Antoine Chattanooga FC 15 shutouts in 23 matches; 9 goals against [10]
Coach of the Year Flag of Spain.svg Diego Gomez Albion San Diego 11-8-5 record in his debut season [10]
Golden Ball (Most Valuable Player) Flag of Honduras.svg Darwin Espinal Maryland Bobcats 11 goals, 5 assists in 22 matches [10]

NISA Best XI

GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwardsRef.
Flag of Haiti.svg Jean Antoine (CHA) Flag of the United States.svg Aydan Bowers (CHA)
Flag of Jamaica.svg Richard Dixon (CHA)
Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Filerman (MAR)
Flag of Moldova.svg Anatolie Prepeliță (CHA)		 Flag of Colombia.svg Daniel Bedoya (ALB)
Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Gabarra (ALB)
Flag of England.svg Alex McGrath (CHA)		 Flag of Honduras.svg Darwin Espinal (MAR)
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Leon Maric (MIC)
Flag of Norway.svg Markus Naglestad (CHA)		 [10]

Player of the Month

MonthWinnerTeamReasonRef.
April Flag of Haiti.svg Jean Antoine Chattanooga FC 4 clean sheets [11]
May Flag of Argentina.svg Ignacio Ten López Club de Lyon 4 goals scored [12]
June Flag of the United States.svg Edwin Rivas Los Angeles Force 3 assists in 136 minutes [13]
July Flag of the United States.svg Ben Roach Albion San Diego 3 clean sheets [14]
August Flag of Mexico.svg Aldo Quintanilla Los Angeles Force Team went 4-0-0, scored hat-trick [15]
September Flag of Colombia.svg Daniel Bedoya Albion San Diego 3 goals scored [16]

Coach of the Month

MonthWinnerTeamReasonRef.
April Flag of France.svg Alex Kao Maryland Bobcats FC 2-0-0 in league play; win in US Open Cup [11]
May Flag of Spain.svg Diego Gómez Albion San Diego 3-1-0 in league play [12]
June Flag of the United States.svg Rod Underwood Chattanooga FC Undefeated in June [13]
July Flag of the United States.svg Rod Underwood Chattanooga FC 3-1-0 in league play [14]
August Flag of the United States.svg Matt Morse Los Angeles Force 2-2-0 in league play [15]
September Flag of France.svg Alex Kao Maryland Bobcats FC 2-1-0 in league play [16]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Forfeited by Club de Lyon due to lack of approved venue availability. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Independent Soccer Association</span> Third division American soccer league

The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) 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. NISA initially used a fall-to-spring season format with a winter break but have switched to spring-to-fall which is more common in the United States.

The 2019–20 NISA season was the inaugural season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. The regular season was split into two halves, fall and spring, with playoffs at the end. The fall season, named "NISA Showcase", featured seven teams, with the East and West champions earning berths into the 2020 playoffs. The spring season featured eight teams, and switches to a single table format, the top 3 teams joining California United Strikers in the playoffs.

The 2019–20 Chattanooga FC season was the club's first season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, a newly established third division soccer league in the United States, and first professional season since being established in 2009.

The 2019–20 Stumptown Athletic season was the club's inaugural season in the National Independent Soccer Association, a newly established third division soccer league in the United States.

The 2019–20 Michigan Stars FC season was the club's first season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, a newly established third division soccer league in the United States, and first professional season.

The 2020–21 NISA season was the second season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. The regular season was split into two halves, Fall and Spring, with playoffs at the end of each, and a Championship Match that had the Fall champion host the Spring champion. This season also saw the introduction of a new cup competition, the NISA Independent Cup, that features independent clubs from various professional and semi-professional leagues across the United States.

The 2020–21 season was Detroit City FC's second professional season since the club was established in 2012 and their first full season in the National Independent Soccer Association.

The 2020–21 Chattanooga FC season was the club's second professional season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, its first full season in NISA, and 13th overall since being established in 2009.

The 2020–21 Michigan Stars FC season was the club's second season playing in the third division National Independent Soccer Association and first full professional season.

The 2020–21 California United Strikers FC season was the club's second in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and second as a professional team overall.

The 2020–21 New Amsterdam FC season was the club's first professional season and its first in the National Independent Soccer Association.

The 2020–21 Los Angeles Force season was the club's second in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and second overall.

The 2020–21 San Diego 1904 FC season was the club's second in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and second overall.

The 2020–21 Stumptown AC season was the club's second in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), second overall, and first under this name and management.

The Fall 2021 NISA season was the third season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. The season took place only during the Fall in order to realign the league's seasons with the calendar year. The league also organized the second edition of its pre-season cup competition, the NISA Independent Cup.

The Fall 2021 Chattanooga FC season was the club's third professional season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association and 14th overall since being established in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley United FC</span> Football club

Valley United FC was an American professional soccer club based in Phoenix, Arizona that played in the National Independent Soccer Association, in the 3rd tier of the US soccer pyramid, from 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syracuse Pulse</span> Football club

Syracuse Pulse, initially AC Syracuse Pulse, was an American professional soccer club based in Syracuse, New York. The Pulse fielded a men's team in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the third tier of the US soccer pyramid, during the 2022 season before merging with the Flower City Union.

The 2022 NISA season is the fourth season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. After three years of split seasons, NISA switched to a full season format, with a single table and a playoff competition to determine the 2022 champion.

The 2024 NISA season is the sixth season of the National Independent Soccer Association's third-division soccer competition. The 2023 champions, Flower City Union, are not defending their title, after announcing their departure from the league during the off-season.

References

  1. 1 2 "NISA announces 2023 clubs and format". www.nisaofficial.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ "NISA announces kit sponsorship deal". Twitter.com. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Ziggy Korytoski named head coach of Chattanooga Red Wolves SC". December 14, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Flower City Union Announces 2023 Head Coach". February 10, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ "President of the Youth Academy and Assistant Coach Alex Kao to become Head Coach of Maryland Bobcats FC Senior Team". March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Matt Morse Named Los Angeles Force Coach". April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "NISA releases opening weekend match schedule". www.nisaofficial.com. February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "NISA Match Forfeit and Postponement" . Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "NISA player statistics". nisasoccer.com. NISA. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "NISA Honors 2023 Annual Award Recipients". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "NISA Announces April 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "NISA Announces May 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "NISA Announces June 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "NISA Announces July 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "NISA Announces August 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. September 12, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  16. 1 2 "NISA Announces September 2023 Performers of the Month Awards". NISAofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
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