Albion SC San Diego

Club Overview

When Albion was announced as the new owners of 1904 (formerly, but forever in our hearts), it was hard to know what to expect from the youth club megagroup. After a rebranding that quickly shed the ‘04 moniker, Noah Gins and company are working hard to redesign the club into a product aligned with the rest of their massive organization, Albion San Diego. Ziggy Korytoski, who has a long resume of both coaching and serving as technical director for many clubs, was named as the head coach in late January and the club has since begun fleshing out the roster. Notably, the club has also quickly announced multiple sponsors for the team, which sets it apart from many other NISA clubs who have struggled to find alternate income streams. It’s a sure sign that the Albion group are bringing their expertise of club management and operations to the professional club.

Roster

The roster is still incomplete (at least publicly), but features a combination of youth talent, former ‘04 players, and outside veterans. The most notable signing would definitely be Eddie Benito, who scored 3 goals for 1904 in the Fall season and was the most threatening player on a team that struggled to produce offensively. To the midfield, Albion has signed Alex Popa, Jonathan Bazaes (who played for the Chile U-20 squad), and Edward Puga (who has played in the Danish second division). On the wings, Albion has signed a youth system product, Lennyn Carreon, and Harold Hanson, who made 78 appearances over two seasons for Timbers 2. The backline currently features Senaglese defender Khadim Seye and former New Amsterdam defender Daniel Vicente. Clearly the team will be announcing further signings, but this is the current roster so far.

Preseason

The only announced preseason friendly was against New Mexico United, but the results were unannounced on either club’s social media accounts.

2022 Schedule

The West is wide open, with three clubs entering the league fresh with Bay Cities, Valley United, and Albion. Because of that, it’s hard to predict what matches present the most challenge. However, the run from September 3 (LA Force) through the 17th, will be a massive test for the new club: LA, CFC, Stars, and Cal Utd. This four game stretch, with two matches against established West frontrunners, will tell the tale of the season for Albion.

Predicted Finish in West

DanC: 4th

DanV: 5th

JHF: 5th

Bay Cities FC

Club Overview

As an expansion side, Bay Cities has done everything right. Played well in the NISA Independent Cup, kept an active social media presence, scheduled good friendlies, built and announced a roster. It’s a model some of the other clubs really could learn from, given the missteps that are so common for NISA expansion sides. Bay Cities is well-connected with local youth programs and have leveraged that to create buzz in the local community. One friendly drew over 1,000 fans this offseason! Of course, matching that week in and week out will be a challenge for the new side, but Anders and company look like they’ll hit the ground running in their first season in NISA.

Roster

Hard to read this roster just yet, but there is a lot of experience, most of which is drawn from the cities around the club. Danny Turgeon, defender, played with Philly Fury. John Partida, San Jose Earthquakes Academy product, played 3 matches with LA Force in 2021. Goalkeeper Alfonsa Lara has several years of playing internationally, in Mexico and Germany. Defender Christian Dean has played in both MLS and USLC. We’ll see how this talent mixes together early on in the season.

Preseason

As mentioned in the overview, over 1,000 locals came to see Bay Cities go against Xolos U23 squad, which ended in a 2-2 draw with a come from behind score by Josiah Romero, his second in the match. Previously, BCFC had a 4-1 win over Menlo College. The match against EarthquakesII squad (a 3-1 loss) featured one of the prettiest freekick goals from Christian Dean. The team also played Pacific, Sac Republic, and Napa 1839.

What if every NISA club put out this kind of material? Great work by BCFC.

2022 Schedule

Bay Cities, beware the month of May! It’s not going to be a fun month with a string of matches that goes Force, Strikers, Bobcats, Stars, CFC. Oof. And to make it even worse, only one of those matches (Strikers) is at home. Getting through that streak of road matches with any result will be a big win for the expansion side from Redwood City.

Predicted Finish in West

DanC: 5th

DanV: 3rd

JHF: 4th

California United Strikers FC

Club Overview

After a very successful run in Fall of 2021, the Strikers seem to be holding par with their approach for 2022. Basically same Strikers, but with lemon scent. California Strikers have been a steadying force in the West, consistently challenging for the top spot in NISA every season (though always coming up short). It will be interesting to see if 2022 will offer the Live Mas crew a chance to hoist the trophy that has so far avoided them.

Roster

While some of the clubs have been slow to release roster information (even with the matches less than a week away), Cal United seems to be going into 2022 with most of the same names (17 so far), including front scoring threats, Omar Nuño and Christian Thierjung. That dynamic duo contributed 16 goals (12 for Nuño) and 5 assists, making them the most dangerous pair in NISA. To that pair, Strikers signed Luis Garcia Sosa from Stumptown who brings a pair of goals from the midfield from last season. His ability to connect and funnel the ball through the defense should allow the powerhouse guys up front to do what they do best, score. One other player of note is the recently announced youth academy signing, Marcus Lee, who scored 11 goals in 16 matches in MLS Next. The 15 year-old may be fighting for time with some of the stars of the club, but looks to have the flash to deliver. Departing faces from last season include Michael Bryant (joined DCFC in USLC), Chile Araneda to USL1’s North Texas SC, and Min-jae Kwak (who just signed with AC Syracue. So far, no signs of Bryan de la Fuente.

Preseason

Preseason matches included CSU Northridge and LA Galaxy II. Oh and a HOST of hilarious memes on social media that induced at least one rival NISA club to block them. We approve.

That’s a winner. And earned a short-lived block from VUFC.

2022 Schedule

The opening of California United’s schedule could be a big chance to start the season right. Home games against Valley United and Bay Cities (both expansion clubs) then a midweek USOC vs San Fernando Valley FC or Escondido FC. Next weekend, they face an away” against LA Force. Strikers could put their stamp early on with 9 points and be in the driver’s seat from the start.

Predicted Finish in West

DanC: 1st

DanV: 1st

JHF: 1st

Los Angeles Force

Club Overview

The club who always draws comes into this season hoping to find the solution to turn 1 into 3. LA Force somehow managed to draw HALF of their 18 matches in the Fall 2021 season. But all those points did add up to a third place finish and the club continues to be a consistent finished in the top half of the NISA table every season. The question is, can this team win the championship, particularly with the departure of DCFC? Of the clubs returning for this season, LA has to be considered a preseason contender. However, with some massive roster exits, it may be a more difficult path than seasons before.

Roster

Two big exits this offseason with 2021 NISA golden boot winner Christian Chaney heading to USL1’s Central Valley Fuego and the shocking exit of Diego Barerra just before the season. What that will mean for this team remains to be seen as both were key parts of what made this team so dangerous in their 2021 Fall campaign. On the positive side, Chandler Hoffman is listed on the website as part of the 2022 roster and will return from a season-ending injury last year with hopes to continue his push to 100 career goals.

Preseason

LA played the most friendlies we could find with matches against Inland Empire FC (SWPL), San Diego Loyal (USL), UC Riverside, Capistrano FC, and LA Galaxy (MLS). All that action has to be a sign this team will come in ready for NISA.

2022 Schedule

The end of the season is going to be a tough one for the Force. Beginning September 7th, LA goes on a run that will test them: Stars, CFC, Bobcats, Strikers, Bay Cities, Bobcats, Strikers. If they are battling for that top spot, this run will make their finish incredibly difficult. All the more reason to hit the ground running and stack up 3 points instead of singles (but this is LA after all).

Predicted Finish in West

DanC: 2nd

DanV: 2nd

JHF: 2nd

Valley United FC

Club Overview

Valley United FC is following the well-tread steps of clubs like Maryland Bobcats, who decided to move from the adult amateur ranks to professional. Valley United is formerly Atletico Olympians FC who were highly competitive in the UPSL (much like Maryland Bobcats). They clearly hope to take that success as an amateur club and parlay it into success at a higher level. The club really nailed their home ground situation and will playing at the just-opened Bell Bank Park in Mesa, AZ. Having attended the UPSL Final in that facility, it can only be described as first class - maybe one of the best spots to see a match in this league. The club’s coach, Adrian Gaitan, is the son of late Tony Gaitan, a huge presence in the New York metro soccer landscape. Adrian himself has his own connection to the area in soccer, having played for the Long Island Rough Riders. The club has been very active on (non-Twitter) social media, particularly Facebook and Youtube, working to gather a fan base as it prepares for the season. The clip below is on a Spanish-speaking Youtube channel.

Roster

The big signing of the offseason was midfielder Luis Gil, a former Generation Adidas player who played for MLS club RSL from 2010-15. After his time with Real, Gil bounced around Mexico & MLS in 2016-18 and played in the Czech Republic for the last 2 years. The veteran player brings a ton of experience with the USMNT & US Open Cup experience. Gil will be serving fellow RSL product Ricardo Velazco (RSL, FC Tucson & Real Monarchs). The talented forward is still trying to restart his career after his 2018 conviction of sexual battery (with a minor). Alex Tejera, the very talented striker, came up in Red Bull Academy and brings a level of polish and craftiness to the game that most expansion sides would crave (we profiled him during the UPSL playoffs last year). Other key signings include Nicholas Gaitan and Stephen Elias (former striker with Lansdowne Yonkers).

Preseason

Valley United was busy in the preseason, playing multiple friendlies to warm up for the regular season. VUFC had wins against FC Arizona (NPSL) and Sun City Astros FC (UPSL). The club also had friendlies with Michigan Stars and USLC side Phoenix Rising.

2022 Schedule

Valley United has a very balanced schedule, with no long stretches of brutal matches back-to-back. However, their opener against Cal United Strikers, who finished second in the league last season, is a real opportunity to punch the West in the mouth out of the gate. The match, which will take place at Championship Soccer Stadium, could really be a big statement match from the expansion side from Arizona, letting their competition know that they are going to be challenging for the top spot.

Predicted Finish in West

DanC: 3rd

DanV: 5th

JHF: 3rd