CHICAGO (November 30, 2022) – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) today proudly announced Matt Morse as the new managing director of NISA Nation. Morse brings leadership and organizational skills honed over 30 years playing and working in U.S. soccer to reset the full-year league for a spring 2023 start.

“While Matt is a proven leader in the soccer industry, it is his awareness of the landscape that will grow NISA Nation in the next phase,” says NISA Executive Vice President Josh Prutch. “He already has been a great partner to NISA as an affiliate lead and as director for the 2022 NISA Independent Cup. He is as trusted as he is focused.”

Most recently the 2022 NISA Independent Cup director, in the past 25 years Morse occupied leadership positions as director of operations with Southern California Seahorses for 12 years and DOC of AC Brea Soccer Club for 15 years. He has been the President of the Southwest Premier League (SWPL) since 2009. He has been recognized and won awards for his contributions to the game both at the state and national level. Previously, Morse played collegiately at Biola University and later with SoCal Seahorses. He holds a US Soccer Federation ‘A’ coaching license and has been a USSF coaching instructor in addition. He has also coached several years at the collegiate, high school and youth club throughout southern California.

“I took a big risk at the end of 2020 when I stepped away from a comfy position as DOC of a strong youth club, and then in early 2021 from another role with a non-profit,” says Morse. “However, I knew it was the time to shift focus and devote my energy full time to developing the game and opportunities for adult soccer clubs. When NISA approached me about a partnership, it was a role I had been seeking for a long time – partnering on the national level to provide pathways for the clubs and players I had been involved with for more than 30 years.”

Alongside Morse, Dennis Pope steps in as NISA Nation communications specialist. His influence undeniable to the rise of the men’s amateur game in the U.S. since 2015, Pope is a prolific local sportswriter in Southern California and serves as the vice president of communications and media director for the SWPL.

“One of the things that really excites me, now, about this project is the partnership we have with Liga de Futbol Professional Mexicano (LFP),” he adds. “Being close to Southern California’s border with Mexico, I have spent much time traveling throughout Central America, as well as working with and playing on teams whose primary connection and player pool is of a Latino/Hispanic heritage.”

LPF President and Founder Juan Serna will play an important role in identifying cross-over opportunities between Mexican and US professional and amateur clubs.