NISA announced the details for this year’s Independent Cup set to kick-off this July. According to the League, it will feature a total 36 teams broken into nine regional divisions. Dubbed the “largest U.S. inter league tournament of 2021” it’s scheduled to play 54 matches over the course of four weeks.
Set to begin on July 9, the tournament is set up to be a replacement of sorts — this season at least for the U.S. Open Cup which was once again postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s the full release from NISA:
CHICAGO (May 25, 2021) – The National Independent Soccer Association announces the return of the NISA Independent Cup for July and August with 36 clubs playing in nine regions across the country. Nine current and future NISA clubs will participate, as well as at least one club from eight different amateur leagues. Many of those teams come from amateur leagues that have forged affiliations with NISA in the past year. In a move to assist clubs deprived of a national stage due to the cancellation of the US Open Cup, NISA expanded the Independent Cup field to include a total of 28 amateur sides.
The Independent Cup, introduced last year as a regionalized competition, provides independent professional and amateur clubs a platform to play together on a national stage. The tournament kickoff date is July 9. Each of the nine regional competitions will crown a champion.
“The Independent Cup champions the independent spirit of open competition,” says NISA Executive Vice President Josh Prutch. “Over the last year, we have seen competition after competition get shut down. The Independent Cup gives these clubs more opportunities to compete, develop and succeed – and that is why we expanded the field for 2021.”
All clubs participating will adhere to NISA’s Return to Play Protocol created and established with top medical professionals and in accordance with the CDC guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all clubs’ players, staffs and personnel. Regional competition also will adhere to state and local governance in place at the time of regional competition. Full details on the NISA Independent Cup schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. More can be found at https://nisasoccer.com/indcup.
NISAOfficial.com
Here’s how the divisions will shape up:
Teams will consist of both NISA and NISA affiliated lower-league teams. Notably, the Tournament brings back the Rust Belt Derby between Detroit City FC, Cleveland SC and FC Buffalo who’ll be joined by Livonia City FC in the Great Lakes Region. NISA will also see multiple debuts of new member clubs including Chicago House AC who’ll begin full-time play during the Fall of 2021 and Bay Cities FC who’ll begin full-time play in the Spring of 2022.
Fans may also notice that not every NISA team is included in this year’s field.
The New York Cosmos, who participated last in last season’s Tournament will not take part in 2021 as their hiatus continues. Stumptown will also be absent which isn’t surprising considering the team continues to be owned by the League despite the improvements they’ve made so far in 2021. Lastly, the Michigan Stars also will not take part as their future in NISA and really as a pro club seems uncertain given ownerships very unprofessional actions this season.
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