Allentown United FC

Photo credit: Dave Pidgeon with creativesportsphotos

Starting play in 2019, Allentown United FC quickly became one of the better sides in the Northeast. But after the Fall 2020 season, a season in which they made the playoffs, the club took a brief hiatus from UPSL play. They would appear in the 2021 Independent Cup, and would further connect themselves with NISA by joining NISA Nation later that year. Now back for its second Independent Cup, Allentown has just finished the Spring 2022 in NISA Nation mid-table in the Northeast Region. The club has a unique financial sponsorship with the non-profit Humanitarian Social Innovations, which helps the club in its mission to provide opportunities for local players.

Lansdowne Yonkers

Group photo during the Hank Steinbrecher Cup weekend.

If you were following lower league soccer at all last year, the name Lansdowne Yonkers would have surely come up at some point. It was the year Lansdowne won pretty much everything. In fact, the club did not lose a match last year, a magical run that saw the team win. Included in their collection of trophies from last year was the National Amateur Cup. The Bhoys also won their region in the Independent Cup last year. Although 2022 has not been quite as magical a year, Lansdowne is still a pretty darn good team. Expect them to not only be favored to win against the other amateur clubs but they should fancy their chances against Syracuse Pulse.

New York Braveheart FC

Separating themselves from New Amsterdam FC, this group founded New York Braveheart and began play in NISA Nation this year. Playing in the Northeast Region, Braveheart has held its own, with five wins and three draws after eight games. Obviously this is their first Independent Cup for Braveheart, and both of their matches are going to be on the road, so they have their work cut out for them. But they do have some experience against at least one of their opponents. The club did face off against Allentown United in NISA Nation play on April 30th and earned a point in a 2-2 draw.

Syracuse Pulse

Another of the new crop of NISA clubs for 2022, Syracuse Pulse has had its ups and downs. Lately it has been more downs than ups, and the club finds itself sitting at the bottom of the East Division, with their only two wins coming against Flower City Union. The roster has been assembled primarily with experienced NISA players such as Kyle Nuel, Michael Kafari, Minjae Kwak and Molley Karpeh Jr. At times the offense looks dangerous, but lately has looked anything but. Whichever amateur side comes out on top to face Syracuse is going to have a good shot at winning, and the Pulse should be motivated to not be one of the pros sides getting knocked off by an amateur club.