Wojciech Wojcik - FW - Chicago House FC

The Polish big man began his professional career in Finland playing a single season for two clubs in the top national division. From there, he would continue his career in the now defunct NASL with Indy Eleven. After bouncing around multiple USL and NPSL clubs, Wojcik made a name for himself, scoring 7 goals for Hartford in 2019. After a single season with Forward Madison, he was signed as the first player for Chicago House AC. While the entire offense for the freshman club struggled to gel early in the season, the team is finally finding its way, and Wojcik’s work upfront is a big reason why. A dangerous shooter, the 6’4 striker is generally much taller than most of his opponents, making his physical presence a real asset to his game.

Bryan Medina - MF - California United Strikers

Yes, it’s only been four games. But if you don’t see what Medina has to offer, you’re not paying attention. The ball skills. The passing vision. When he’s got the ball at his feet, you have to stop and see what he’s going to do next. Signed during the season, Medina scored a wonderful game-winning goal in his debut match against Chattanooga FC and has found himself in the Starting XI ever since. In Cal United’s last shot at making the Fall 2021 Season interesting with a visit to Keyworth, Medina had the best of their scoring chances including a cracker of a free kick late in the game that forced Nate Steinwascher to make a brilliant save. Medina is not the biggest of men at only 5’7” and 145 pounds, but that skill set will have him going places. Catch him now in the teal and white kit of Cal United, because he won’t be wearing those colors for very long.

Jake Dengler - DB - Maryland Bobcats

Jake Dengler is a Baltimore native earning NJCAA All-American honors while a freshman, eventually transferring to play for the UConn Huskies and starting all 17 games as a junior. Dengler captained FC Baltimore Christos during the summer of 2019 and was acquired by Loudoun United FC prior to the 2020 USL Championship season but wasn’t able to crack the lineup during the COVID-impacted season.

After an underwhelming Legends Cup and losses in the first two matches of the spring 2021 season Maryland needed help in its backline and signed Dengler to a contract. The club lost its first match with Dengler in the lineup but went on to go undefeated in its final five matches, not giving up more than one goal in each match.

While not a part of the Maryland Bobcats organization prior to the club becoming a NISA member, center back Jake Dengler has become a vocal leader and perhaps the most consistently high-performing player on the squad. The 6’5” Dengler is a stalwart for Maryland only missing one match in 21 league matches and playing every minute of those matches - a boon for a club that has been prone to the injury bug since joining the league.

Jesus Batiz - MF - New Amsterdam FC

During this summer’s Independent Cup, New Amsterdam played amateur side Mass United. One of the players on Mass United so impressed NAFC that they signed him to a contract. Already well-known and highly regarded in the Boston soccer universe, Jesus Batiz quickly earned a regular starting spot with New Amsterdam. Quick and skilled on the ball, Batiz creates defensive nightmares as an attacking midfielder. With two goals scored of his own, Batiz became part of a New Amsterdam offense that went from scoring just five goals in eight games during the spring to 22 goals in 15 matches in the fall. The NAFC is much more dynamic than anything the club had displayed in prior seasons, and Batiz has played an integral part.

Tate Robertson - MF - Chattanooga FC

Tate attended college in his homestate of Ohio at Bowling Green University, appearing in 71 matches for the Falcons. His post-collegiate career began with USL2 Dayton Dutch Lions. In his 24 matches with Dayton, the plucky midfielder scored a hefty 8 goals. That was enough to earn him a spot on his first NISA side, Stumptown. His play was good enough to earn him a consistent spot on the gameday roster for Chattanooga FC, playing in 13 matches for the club. His ability to combine excellent passing with threatening defense has made him a mainstay in the CFC midfield.

Jerry Desdunes - MF - 1904 FC

A native of Haiti, Jerry Desdunes joined 1904 FC as part of a near-complete roster overhaul prior to the fall 2021 NISA season. Only 20 years old, Desdunes is the youngest player on the squad but is a creative attacking force in the midfield quickly becoming a starter after the first game of the season.

Desdunes won a 2019 US youth national championship with Atlanta-area Kalonji Soccer Academy and was a starter at Peachtree City MOBA during the 2021 USL League Two season. Desdunes had 6 goals and 2 assists over 14 games with Peachtree City prior to signing his first professional contract with 1904 FC.

Darwin Espinal - MF - Detroit City FC

During the 2019 NPSL Founders Cup, Darwin Espinal was an important part of the New York Cosmos offense. But injuries and other issues seemed to plague him as the Cosmos moved to NISA. But he has found some of his groove back as a role player for Detroit City (where every roster move seems to work out). No longer the focal point of the offense, Espinal still shows that he can be a nuisance on the wing, creating scoring opportunities with his passing. He is also one of the best in the league at set pieces. It’s a testament to Detroit City’s willingness to spend on its roster that a player like Espinal, who would most likely be starting on any other NISA side, can use him off the bench or to start on occasion. But also give credit to coach Trevor James who finds the best way to use his players.

Richard Dixon - DB - Chattanooga FC

The Jamaican-born defender bounced around the country before becoming the first-ever professional signing for Chattanooga FC. His relentless defense has made him integral to the CFC backline. Starting all but one of the club’s matches this season is impressive, but the fact that Dixon has finished all 15 of the matches he’s played in shows the tireless work ethic he brings to the position. He’s an outspoken leader for the club, a glue guy, the player you look for to set the tempo and the tenor of the match. Defenders can be difficult to rank, but Dixon’s ability and character make him a must-include for this list.

Jean Antione - GK - California United Strikers

Few players can boast to have played for three NISA clubs, but Antione is one of them. After beginning his NISA career with the Strikers, he would move to west coast rival 1904 FC before a brief stint with Detroit City FC. That trip to Detroit would pay off, as he was part of the 2020 Fall Championship team. After contemplating retirement from soccer, the 28 year-old Haitian keeper decided to continue his NISA playing career with the club it began with. An excellent shot stopper, Antione will defy gravity for long dives across the box, generally resulting in a disappointed opponent and a happy home crowd. His GAA sits even at 1, which is enough to keep Cal United in matches, with its high-powered attackers working up front.

Alec Redington - GK - Chattanooga FC

Born and raised in Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, Alec Redington played one year as a freshman at St. Louis Community College before being signed by Chattanooga FC prior to their initial spring 2020 season. Primarily on the roster as the backup goalkeeper, Redington was thrust into the starting role early in the Fall 2020 season after an injury to primary option Phil D’Amico. Redington quickly showed himself to be one of the best keepers in the league only losing one out of six matches with four clean sheets. He again moved from backup to starter early in the spring 2021 season and has solidified his status ever since. Redington is a consistent presence in goal and has often kept Chattanooga in matches when the club has struggled to score goals.