Med City FC to Participate In 2021 NISA Independent Cup
Cup Returns With Bigger,
More Competitive Field
Field Expanded to Nine Regions, 36 Clubs
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.”
Med City FC was approached earlier this year about participating in the 2021 edition of the NISA Independent Cup and Mayhem general manager Frank Spaeth was excited about the idea. “We wanted to get more games, especially at home, and we also wanted to test ourselves against higher level competition. The NISA Independent Cup helps us achieve both goals.”
Spaeth says he believes participating in this cup competition will help the Mayhem overcome the disappointment of not being able to participate in the 2020 or 2021 US Open Cup, despite qualifying for the competition. It will also give Med City FC fans more chances to see the team play in an expanded season. “Now, whether we qualify for the NPSL playoffs or not, we’ll be playing meaningful matches until late into July,” he says. According to Spaeth, the Mayhem will play two of the three Cup matches at home, with dates to be announced soon.
The Regions for the 2021 NISA Independent Cup are:
Southeast Region:
Atletico Atlanta
Chattanooga FC (NISA)
Savannah Clovers Football Club
Soda City FC
Great Lakes Region:
Detroit City FC (NISA)
FC Buffalo
Cleveland SC
Livonia City FC
South Central Region:
Alexandria PBFC
LA Krewe FC
Lone Star Republic
Texas Spurs FC
Midwest Region:
Chicago House AC (2021 NISA)
FC Milwaukee Torrent
Med City FC
Union Dubuque FC
New England Region:
Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Mass United Rush FC
New Amsterdam FC (NISA)
Newtown Pride FC
Mid-Atlantic Region:
Allentown United FC
Atlantic City FC
Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)
Steel Pulse FC
Southwest Region:
1904 FC (NISA)
Atletico Olympians
Cal United Strikers (NISA)
FC Arizona
West Coast Region:
ASC San Diego
Chula Vista FC
Los Angeles Force (NISA)
MAGIA Futbol Academy
Pacific Region:
Bay Cities FC (2022 NISA)
California Victory FC
PDX FC
Space United FC
Match streaming details will be forthcoming. More info on the Cup can be found at https://nisasoccer.com/indcup.
About NISA
The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 with a mission to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. A pro league member of U.S. Soccer, NISA focuses on a model based on meritocracy, independent clubs controlling their own league, clubs owning their intellectual property, all without the barrier of territorial rights. A member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, NISA also runs the mid-summer Independent Cup, open to independent professional and amateur clubs alike. For more information about NISA visit NISASoccer.com or contact at info@nisasoccer.com. Follow NISA on Twitter @NISALeague and on Instagram @nisasoccer.
