NISA has expanded it's reach yesterday when they announced yet another regional affiliate league. Already with a league in nearly every region, they are getting closer and closer to plugging those gaps. And after that happens, the Pro-Rel to NISA Nation will start, and open soccer in this country will become a reality. This time, the league they announced an affiliation with was none other than the Pioneer Premier League.
Based out of Tennessee, the new league was founded to promote players and grow the game in that region. The league was founded by former USMNT international and USSF Hall of Famer, Desmond Armstrong. Desmond has operated multiple soccer projects after his retirement. He was a coach for the USA Hurricanes, based out of Charlotte, NC, a coach for the Montreal College Cavaliers, coached a youth club in Asheville, NC, and is the Director of Recruiting for Brad Friedel's Soccer Academies. This league couldn't have anyone better than him leading it!
The league's reach will expand throughout the Pioneer region. According to NISAOfficial.com, that includes "Tennessee and Kentucky and will extend into parts of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Mississippi."
The new league also has some of it's member clubs already too, and it's a great list. The first confirmed 6 clubs are, Atletico Atlanta, VinoTinto, AFC1865, Legacy Heroes, WeUnited, and FC Birmingham. The clubs are all based out of Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, and Birmingham. Additionally, more clubs have been eyeing the league, and we could potentially see more clubs in the Spring season.