This is the second installment of our countdown of the top 40 players in NISA. For the first installment, check here.

Markus Naglestad - FW - Chattanooga FC

Born in Kristiansand, Norway, the 30 year-old target striker had a solid career in lower league soccer before ever coming to the states. Playing almost a decade in 4th and 3rd division soccer in his homecountry, Naglestad had multiple seasons with 20+ goals most recently in 2019 with Egersunds IK in the 3rd division of the Norweigan pyramid. After his success with EIK, Naglestad signed with Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship but failed to produce the kind of success he had seen in his career, scoring a single goal in six matches. That freed him up to join CFC in 2021.

Since coming to Chattanooga Naglestad has been one of the few bright spots in the Blues’ attack. Playing in 13 of the club’s 17 matches so far, the forward is tied for total goals scored with 4. He’s also managed to put in the most minutes of any forward on the roster this season, becoming a solid leader up front. It’s been a complicated year from CFC, but the team finished the year mid-table, and Naglestad is a veteran presence on the club who has contributed throughout the Fall season.

Luis Garcia - MF - Stumptown AC

Sosatumptown are fortunate to have such a player.

When Stumptown AC emerged in the spring as a new, league owned entity, the question was who could the club get on the roster in a short period of time. The Trees did just fine, thankyouverymuch, and one of the gems that emerged was Luis Garcia-Sosa. When he’s on the field, the offense runs though the attacking midfielder. Garcia-Sosa is quick with the ball at his feet, reads the game well and makes good decisions with his passing. He also knows how to a score a goal or two, which was a rare commodity for a Stumptown club that struggled to find the back of the net. Garcia-Sosa is fun to watch, and he is passionate out on the field – which on occasion has led to a card or two. But a distributor of the ball like Garcia-Sosa is in short supply in NISA, so Stumptown are fortunate to have such a player.

Christian Chaney - FW - Los Angeles Force

Chaney has a lower league pedigree few NISA players can challenge. After playing college soccer, the 6’2” forward went on to play for three different USL-C clubs, including Sacramento Republic, Fresno FC, and Charlotte Independence. Add in a quick stint with Mosta FC, who play in the Malta professional league, and you’ve got an impressive professional run for the California-born striker. After his golden boot season for LA Force last year, Chaney followed it up with another 6 goals in the fall, tying him for fifth in the league. He’s physically dominant player who shrugs off even the most aggressive challenge and is a constant threat to score anytime he’s on the field.

Matt Lewis - DB - Detroit City FC

Detroit City fans often joke about the fate of their long-time and now shuttered rival, New York Cosmos, but the Cosmos situation gave Le Rouge the perfect partner for their superstar centerback, Stephen Carrol: Matt Lewis.

The 25 year-old midwesterner was a collegiate standout for Fordham, playing all four years and winning multiple honors. After graduation, Lewis moved into the MLS talent development pipeline, playing a short stint with USL’s Swope Park Rangers. When that didn’t work out, Lewis played for the Cosmos during their weird NPSL/”are they pro or not” years before making the jump to Detroit City FC in 2020 (loaned first and then signed permanently). Lewis’ level of defensive prowess is good enough that he’s attracted attention from USL-C, getting a short loan from El Paso Locomotive earlier this year.

Lewis is incredibly competent and durable as a defender, playing in 14 matches for DCFC next to his partner in arms, Carrol. Lewis’ specializes in his ability to get to the ball in the air, including on offense, where he scored twice this season.

Edward Benito - MF - San Diego 1904 FC

For some soccer players, goals just seem to find them. Of course it helps to be in the right place at the right time. And 1904’s Edward Benito has been able to be that guy this fall season. For a team that has had 14 different goal scorers during the fall campaign, Benito has scored three of the club’s 17 goals. Not bad for an acquisition during the season. The attacking midfielder has a knack putting himself in positions to create scoring opportunities, showing his ability to read the game. The most memorable goal, or infamous if you are a Chattanooga FC fan, was the late stoppage goal that allowed Ought Four to snatch a point at Finley. Taking a deflected pass, Benito was able to quickly settle and shoot at close range. Whether or not he should have had that opportunity is a debate for another time.

Steven Juncaj - MF - Michigan Stars FC

Born and raised in the Detroit suburbs, Steven Juncaj played in area youth clubs before traveling to Europe to play as a teenager. Juncaj returned to the U.S. to join the Michigan Stars, owned by his father George, for their first season as a professional club, along with his younger brother, Robert.

Juncaj has been a consistent starter on the left wing for the Stars. His combination of speed and work rate puts regular pressure on opposing defenses. Juncaj is one of the also often-praised for his hard work and is the top assist man for the club.

Rhys Williams - MF - Stumptown AC

Rarely do you get a defender who contributes to the attack as much Rhys Williams provides for Stumptown AC. A durable defender who’s played EVERY minute of Sumptown’s fall campaign, Rhys has scored twice and provided 3 goals from his defensive position. Even wilder, Rhys has played every minute of every Stumptown match in 2021. He’s a grinder.

Rhys has an impressive bio, having played in the Red Bull Academy before transitioning to USL and now NISA. He’s a surefire, nailed down starter for this club and provides a tremendous amount of two-way play for his club.

Molley Karpeh Jr. - FW - Maryland Bobcats

Karpeh grew up playing soccer in Liberia before coming to the US in 2013 at 19 years old for soccer tryouts. After college, he played for Reading United AC and Philadelphia Lone Star FC before signing a professional contract with Atlanta SC for NISA’s first fall 2019 sason. He moved to Stumptown AC in spring of 2021 before joining Maryland Bobcats for the fall season.

Initially coming off the bench, Karpeh scored two goals in his first three games for the Bobcats. He eventually moved into the starting rotation and, as the season wore on, became an integral part of the club’s offense scoring four goals over the final six games of the season. As a striker, Karpeh is an active presence looking to spring off the counter and he causes constant disruption to defenders in and around the penalty area.

Brian Bement - FW - Chattanooga FC

Brian Bement has only one speed, and that’s run-through-a-brick-wall speed. The forward who has USL Championship experience plays a direct, physical game. When it’s working, Bement creates chances when pressing defenders or running on to passes from his teammates. His aggressive play has also led to injuries and disciplinary actions, which is what happens when you play on the knife’s edge. But there’s no questioning Bement’s passion for the game and his club. The question for Bement will be does he have future with CFC, a club that has struggled in 2021 and may be making lots of changes for 2022.

Diego Barrera - MF - Los Angeles Force

Unlike many of the youthful players getting their first chance at professional soccer, this plucky Colombian midfielder has been around the world playing soccer professionally. After playing extensively in the PDL, Barrera went abroad and played in Asia for several years to some success, even scoring 17 goals and 14 assists in 22 games one season in Thailand. Now 34 years old, Barrera patrols the midfield for LA, providing a massive boost to the Force attack. This season, he’s played in 13 matches for the club and scored 4 goals while adding another 2 assists.