But Before We Get to the Playoffs…

I’ve been whining about how long the NISA regular season was all year, but I guess I can finally stop after this evening’s season closer when Club de Lyon visits Chattanooga FC. Not much to play for here as CDL is now eliminated from the playoff picture and Chattanooga is locked into its number one seed. There is one thing, of course, the NISA golden boot race. Heading into this match, last year’s winner, Markus Naglestad, is tied for top spot with Michigan Star’s big man, Leon Maric. Both players have 14. According to the league today, “the first tiebreaker is the most assists. If still tied, the next tiebreaker is the fewest minutes played.” If it comes to assists, Maric has the edge 6-1. Of course, if Naglestad scores tonight, that won’t matter.

And while we’re discussing him, can we pour one out for the greatness of the Norwegian forward? Naglestad came to Chattanooga in 2021 after a long career in his home country and a disappointing stint in Hartford in USL. Since coming to CFC, he’s delivered where it matters. According to NISA’s statistics, Markus has punched in 41 goals and 9 assists for the Blues. He’s a natural leader, brimming with charm and a dogged determination to do what it takes to win. Naglestad is a model citizen and a perfect fit for the culture at CFC.

Naglestad has made it look easy since coming to CFC. *Image courtesy of Chattanooga FC.*

Will he return to the club, when they jump for MLS Next Pro? At the start of next season he’d be turning 33, which wouldn’t fit the league’s current model of youth development. When asked about his plans for next season on The Knights Who Say NISA, he gave the answer you’d expect from a veteran. “I’m focused on finishing this season strong and trying to get that title. Obviously you think about it, because I want to continue to play professionally, if that means here or somewhere else.” Wherever he’s playing, he’s been a star for Chattanooga FC in NISA.

About Those Playoffs

I’ve been joking on the podcast that there’s three team that can win this year’s title. Obviously there’s six in the running, but I’ve got my eye on three (btw, on the last episode of our show, we picked our favorites to win the title and each host selected one of these three).

Chattanooga FC has been unstoppable this season, only losing twice and looking dominant throughout. I think they’re the odds on favorite to win this year’s playoff crown. CFC sports both the best starting XI AND the deepest bench in the league. Add in the the best goalkeeper, Jean Antione, and home field advantage in front of the best crowds in the league and it would be stupid to bet against this team finally winning it all.

Chattanooga has cruised through the regular season. *Image courtesy of Chattanooga FC.*

Unless, of course, you look at last year’s champions Michigan Stars. This team isn’t quite as good as last year’s squad, but you’d be a fool to not recognize that the Stars know how to win in the playoffs. The team finished second in the regular season and got the first round bye, so they will come into their semi-final match well-rested and ready to play. As mentioned earlier, Maric is having his strongest season yet and is arguably the best all-around player in NISA not named Darwin Espinal. And as shiny as Maric has been, Hunter Olsen has been a great number two in the attack. Stars are always solid on defense and play a brutal style of soccer that can slow even the best of attacks.

The final of this threesome is LA Force. I began this season badmouthing this club for underperforming and being massively inconsistent, but they have turned it as the season went on. The team plays stingy defense and has one of the best goalkeepers in the league, Brandon Gomez. This season, LA added Francis Avoce up front and he delivered with 7 goals and 2 assists, including a brace in the team’s last match of the season against Gold Star Detroit. The only negative to put in this club’s resume is the fact that LA’s last two losses were against the top two on this list, CFC and Stars. If LA gets out of its semifinal matchup, it will face a battle-tested Michigan on the road. That might be too much to ask.

This Weekend’s Matches

Dan Creel has pointed out just how unstoppable the west coast clubs have been at home and both of them begin their playoff push where they’re strongest. Saturday ALBION will host Maryland Bobcats at home. In the regular season head-to-head, ALBION hasn’t lost against Maryland. Currently the San Diego club is on a five match undefeated streak in NISA play, while Maryland has lost two of its last three matches (including one against ALBION). Would be crazy not to pick ALBION at home, but everyone loves Maryland. I think ALBION wins this.

Diakhate’s talent can change a game, but will it in the playoffs? *Image courtesy of Flower City Union.*

Sunday LA Force will host Flower City Union. FCU is the most inconsistent and unpredictable club in the league. It features one of the most stacked front lines in NISA with Alioune Diakhate, Malik Stewart, Luke Ferreira, and Matt Bolduc, but, if I’m honest, this team’s attack hasn’t lived up to expectations. FCU is the kind of club that could just go off and score 4 goals, but it’s also the kind of club that can lose 5-0. Gotta go with the Force at home in this one.

- Dan Vaughn