Regular Season

Michigan Stars vs Gold Star Detroit FC

April 14th - Romeo Stadium

When Detroit City exited the league, NISA was left without a close geographical rivalry. With Gold Star Detroit entering in 2023, it may finally have one again. Gold Star should be looking for a chance to punch the champion in the mouth and, if we know anything about Michigan Stars, they welcome the first punch. We’re still a early on in roster announcements, but you have to expect Stars to want to put Star in its place. It should be a star-studded affair. One negative, Stars are known for not drawing well, Gold Star is an expansion side. Will anyone be watching this match in person?

Michigan Stars VS Chattanooga FC

April 29th - Romero Stadium

The rematch everyone wants to see (except maybe CFC?). Stars consistently battled CFC throughout the regular season, until a late-season 3-2 win for Chattanooga on the road. Stars would get their revenge in the playoffs, ending CFC’s run. This is the first matchup between these sides in 2023 and should be a tasty one. Circle July 8th for the rematch in Finley, in front of what’s sure to be a lively crowd.

Chattanooga FC vs Savannah Clovers FC

May 6th - Finley Stadium

The most consistent club in NISA, Chattanooga FC, has high hopes for this season. After an impressive regular season campaign in 2022, the club exited the playoffs at the hands of the eventual champions. 2023 should be a revenge tour with a triumphant ending. Savannah Clovers are an exciting addition to NISA, with a respectable track record in amateur soccer. Can this be the geographical rival for CFC or is it too early for SCFC to be a threat?

LA Force vs Albion San Diego

July 2nd - Championship Stadium

Ok, on paper this matchup is probably trash. LA has all the money and access to talent in the world, but seems to not care about winning matches. Albion was expected to exit the league in the offseason and, according so some sources, came back last second. So why this match? LA has one of the weirdest schedules you will ever see, spending entire months without a home match. Does this club even have fans? Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to. But I picked this match because its dead center of the schedule and there’s a rematch at San Diego 6 days after. We’ll know which LA we’re getting at this point in the season. If its the listless, don’t care club of last season, maybe pretend I never said to circle this date and get out the eraser.

Can Maryland continue to pack the Soccerplex?

Maryland Bobcats vs Salt city union

September 2nd - Maryland Soccerplex

Everyone’s favorite small club against a club held together with duct tape and gum. Why not? Bobcats have been on a roll at connecting with fans and bringing good crowds for their home matches, so hopefully this match will get the same treatment. This is a Saturday match, which tends to do better then midweeks, of course. Salt City should be an interesting club, given the nature of its existence, and the roster build will hopefully yield good results in the standings. But this point of the season, you have to hope at least one of these clubs is vying for a playoff spot.

US Open Cup Matchups

Detroit City FC vs Gold Star Detroit FC

Out of the list of Round 2 NISA matches, this is easily the juiciest for a host of reasons. Gold Star Detroit FC is an expansion side in NISA in 2023, so there’s zero track record to judge the club’s quality. However, they talk a mean game. Members of the front office have expressed the desire to play Detroit City, with the implication that GSD would be competitive. Does anyone believe that? Doubtful. From DCFC’s perspective, this is a great chance to remind NISA that it was a cut above the league and left for a reason. Smacking around NISA clubs is what Le Rouge has been doing for years and we’d expect no less. Last USOC, Detroit drew Michigan Stars and hung a 3-0 result on the local rival (don’t call it a rivalry!).

Matt Lewis partied last time DCFC faced a NISA side. Will 2023 bring more of the same?

Indy Eleven vs Michigan Stars

Unlike a Championship club like Indy Eleven, Stars are currently in the preseason rebuild of all the Division 3 NISA clubs (outside of Chattanooga). That could leave the reigning NISA Champions at a bit of a disadvantage going into this match. However, Indy Eleven are coming off a pretty disappointing USLC season, finishing 9th in the Eastern Conference with a 12-5-17 record. It also finished with a -14 goal differential. I’m not saying this match is an obvious trap game, but I am saying that Stars, if they can get their roster together quickly and effectively, have a chance.

Club De Lyon vs San Antonio FC

I’m circling this match because I predict this one will be an absolute laugher. San Antonio is the reigning USLC Champion, coming off its best season ever. Club De Lyon is a NISA expansion side, but, even worse, will have a massively depleted roster. That’s because CDL qualified for the Open Cup with its amateur side in 2022, making all its returning players ineligible to play for the NISA side. What will this roster even look like in this match? Hard to say. I bet San Antonio is up by 5 by half.

Interestingly enough, should CDL’s amateur team win its Round 1 matchup, it will get to play against USLC Eastern Conference Finalist Tampa Bay Rowdies. Does that make Club De Lyon the most unlucky club in the 2023 USOC? Maybe.

- Dan Vaughn