October 22 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) has announced Philadelphia as the second city to have a team in the third tier league when it kicks off play in 2019. While the location in the City of Brotherly Love has been announced, the club’s home venue, ownership and team name is still to be released.
Earlier in the week NISA announced Connecticut as its first club market – again the club’s home venue, ownership and team name is still to be released.
NISA is still awaiting approval for the US Soccer Federation for sanctioning of a professional third tier league in the US – the USL is also launching a third tier league in 2019.
NISA’s league model differs from that of the USL in that it will run its season in line with the European August to May season with a winter break.
It also differs from other US leagues in that it will not be a closed franchise league. NISA says that without prohibitive franchise acquisition fees, clubs will be able to pay their players more. The result of that will likely be better and higher profile players in the league.
Welcoming Philadelphia to the league, president Bob Watkins said: “They have been playing soccer since 1881 in Philadelphia, Bob Watkins and we are excited to be adding to that proud tradition. It is a city where they founded the first professional soccer leagues in America back in 1894 and three years later brought home their first national championship. NISA will be honored to add to that legacy when our inaugural season begins in 2019.”
NISA expects to being play with 12 teams next season before expanding to 24. San Diego’s 104 FC is stongly expected to be one of them. Although not playing in a league as yet, 1904 has Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba closely associated to its ownership group.
Expanding on the benefits of being a club owned league rather than a franchise-driven league like the MLS and USL, NISA emphasised its model is structured to enable clubs to invest in “long-term assets such as stadiums, infrastructure, and youth academies that will make it an integral and long-term partner in the community.”
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