NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) Nation today officially releases the membership and schedule of its first complete region, the Northeast. The six clubs will play 10 matches each beginning Saturday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 20.

“Each of these clubs has made the commitment to grow, as a club, the talent on the pitch, on the touchline and in the front office,” says NISA Nation Northeast Region Manager Jonathan Rednour. “This is the first step in accomplishing the collective dream of an open system in the U.S.” 

NISA Nation is a full-year league providing amateur independent clubs a groundbreaking path to professional status. The Northeast Region includes Atlantic City FC, the first club to join NISA Nation. The region also features Steel Pulse FC of NISA amateur affiliate Eastern Premier Soccer League. As part of the relationship, the top EPSL club automatically earns a spot in the following NISA Nation Northeast Region table. This connects EPSL’s existing structure through promotion and relegation. 

The other inaugural clubs include New Amsterdam II, New Jersey Teamsterz, Bearfight @ Albion SC Delaware, and NJ Alliance FC. Each club plays each other twice with the club at the top of the table come Nov. 20 earning the championship.

“When we formed NISA Nation, it was intended to be the link between amateur clubs and NISA,” says NISA Nation Managing Director Ron Patel. “NISA has always been more than just a league, but an association of leagues linked together with a common cause. NISA Nation is a key ingredient in providing sustainability in our system.”

The next region to announce will be the West, targeting an October kickoff.