Coming off of a successful Board of Governors meeting, The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announces 3 new member clubs to its professional landscape. “Bringing Chattanooga FC, Detroit City FC and Oakland Roots SC all in to NISA at the same time is very exciting! These clubs truly represent their communities and are proof the open system for soccer is the best way forward. Each has built their support the correct way and that support will sustain them and NISA for years to come. Congratulations to each of them (owners, staff, players, and supporters) for taking that step to play professional soccer,” stated NISA Commissioner, John Prutch.
Working closely with NISA’s Executive Expansion Team, the three clubs set their sights to take the pitch this Fall 2019 with full membership within NISA. Chattanooga FC Chairman, Tim Kelly, expressed his enthusiasm for the club’s step into the professional division and looks forward to showcasing his club’s talents on the pitch; “Everyone at Chattanooga FC is excited about being accepted into NISA and joining the ranks of American professional soccer. This fulfills a promise to our 3,254 supporter-owners while maintaining the philosophical tenets the club has held since our founding in 2009.”
Detroit City FC Owner, Sean Mann, expressed similar sentiments, “Being accepted in to NISA represents an exciting new chapter for Detroit City FC. With the support of the city we love and represent, what started out as a community organizing project nearly 10 years ago has evolved into the city’s first professional soccer team in generations. As a member of NISA we look to continue growing the sport of soccer in Detroit.”
Oakland Roots SC is set to kick off 8/31/19 vs. Cal United on their home field and they see this announcement as the perfect way to kick off the season, “Roots is thrilled to join NISA and take this next step in growing professional soccer in the US. Acceptance into NISA marks the official return of professional soccer to Oakland, and we couldn’t be more excited to deliver soccer, at this level, to our local community,” Benno Nagel, Oakland Roots SC Co-Founder & President.
Chattanooga FC and Detroit City FC will begin full league play in Spring 2020. Full admission for all clubs is dependent upon USSF approval. For more information on each club please visit their respective websites; https://www.chattanoogafc.com, https://www.detcityfc.com/, https://oaklandrootssc.com/.
About the National Independent Soccer Association: NISA is a provisional professional league member of U.S. Soccer, with full membership to be voted upon at U.S. Soccer’s next AGM. The League is committed to bringing high level, competitive professional soccer with meaningful games throughout the country. For more information about NISA visit www.nisasoccer.com or contact at info@nisasoccer.com. Follow NISA on Twitter @NISALeague and on Instagram @nisasoccer.
