The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announced a new affiliate relationship agreement with the Mountain Premier League (MPL). The MPL is the fourth affiliate to sign an agreement with NISA, following the Gulf Coast Premier League, Eastern Premier Soccer League, and the Midwest Premier League.

The Mountain Premier League was announced in 2019 but has since remained relatively quiet. According to the site, the intention was to create “a tier 4 amateur level of competition, connecting with the other 16 regions of the country and representing region IV.“ For Don Harmon, owner of Peak XI and MPL Board member, it’s the next step in the process. “Aligning with a forward-thinking league like NISA is crucial to our development, as well as the development of US soccer. Soccer needs lower divisions with FIFA open system compliance. Partnering with NISA gives us a chance to play a role in making this happen. The MPL is looking to unify and work with the local leagues to expand the player pathway.”

For NISA Vice President of Expansion Josh Prutch, NISA and MPL operate with the same core principles. "The Mountain Premier League was founded on the philosophy of an open system. As we build our open system model, it is critical we have a coast-to-coast network of affiliations with like-minded amateur leagues. The MPL fits perfectly.”

The affiliation with NISA is just a portion of the MPL’s announcement. The league also announced that the league logo and its website would also be changed in the coming weeks. Aside from the cosmetic changes, the league also highlighted that it is within an “expansion phase having received applications to fill out a 10-team first division. Three teams are set to join from Colorado, and another five teams spread throughout Utah and Idaho having begun the application process.” With the two core Colorado clubs, Peak XI and Colorado Springs FC, that completes the stated goal of 10 teams.

MPL’s agreement with NISA, aside from expanding impact in public awareness, also nets MPL merit-based spots in the NISA Independent Cup a spot on the NISA Alliance Board.

"We applaud MPL’s plans for growth in the mountain west of America,” says NISA Commissioner John Prutch. “We're truly becoming an association of independent leagues and clubs with a shared vision. MPL understands why every league, every club deserves to have a voice in the future of soccer in this country.”

It’s a big step for a league that has so far not made much of an impact on the national scene and hopefully will yield results in their attempt to expand their club count. NISA has so far struggled to gain a strong foothold in the west, so growing this relationship may pay off for the professional league as well. Regardless, it’s big AND exciting news for a soccer world hoping for more unity and cooperation between leagues.

- Dan Vaughn