It’s been an amazing competition so far, with plenty of upsets, last second heroics, and predictable domination. The NISA Independent Cup has been all we’ve ever wanted and we’ve still got several week’s of matchups to enjoy! Here’s a complete breakdown of the competition so far and what’s in store for the remaining matches.

Pacific Region

PDX FC debuted their new kits with you-know-who on the back…

UPDATE: With California Victory having pulled out with two matches to go, the cup organizers have determined that their first match, a draw with Bay Cities FC, has been nullified to ensure a fair amount of points are available to Space United and PDX FC. Those two sides played one another in week one and earned a point a piece.

Over the most previous weekend, PDX FC earned another 3 points from an exciting win over Bay Cities FC - which makes the team the leader on points at 4 with a +2 goal difference. The Larks had first half goals from Timur Zhividze in the 32’ and Jesse Garcia in the 42’ and just like their game up in Renton, went into the half with a two goal lead and seemingly bossing possession. And just like the last week, everything seemed done and dusted until the last ten minutes of the match when Bay Cities decided they would not go quietly into the night - Josiah Romero and Julio Cervantes cropped up in the 78’, 90’, and 90+2’ to make it spicy. However, PDX FC was unrelenting with a brace from Gerardo Duran in the 86’ and 90+1’, Carter Payne added another in the 88’ for good measure.

Because of the loss in addition to losing the one point they earned in the first week, Bay Cities FC cannot with the Pacific Region. In order for Space United to pip the title from PDX FC, they will have to travel to Redwood City on Saturday and beat a very tidy Bay Cities FC by more than two goals. It’s not impossible, but it is a tall order - otherwise the team in black and gold from Portland will take the region.

Mid-Atlantic Region

After one match in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Allentown United FC was sitting top of the table due to their 2-1 victory over Atlantic City FC in the first match. Although dominant in their first match, Maryland Bobcats only had a scoreless draw against Steel Pulse FC to show for their work. In the second match for both clubs, the Bobcats again went with a lineup full of bench and reserve players. The match took place Saturday, June 17 at a secondary field at the Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, Va. so streaming was unavailable.

Photo credit: Sean Maslin/Honeyball Soccer

The game took place under stormy conditions with lightning delaying the match near halftime. The Bobcats got on the board off an individual effort by Sammy Kahsai in the 25th minute. Kahsai received the ball at the top of the box, dribbled past three defenders before slotting it past the keeper for a goal. That score would hold the rest of the game with Maryland taking the 1-0 and moving to the top of the Mid-Atlantic Region table.

The other Mid-Atlantic match took place the next evening at Blandair Regional Park in Columbia, Md. After their loss to Allentown United, Atlantic City FC needed points to have any hope of winning the region while Steel Pulse FC could move to a tie at the top with Maryland Bobcats with a win. Steel Pulse took an early lead in the first half but Atlantic City pulled back a goal in the second. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

That result left Maryland Bobcats tops of the region with four points, Allentown United second with three points, Steel Pulse next with two points, and Atlantic City fourth with no points. On Saturday, Allentown United will visit Steel Pulse at Blandair Park and Atlantic City will host Maryland Bobcats at Rowan University and will be shown on BeINSportsXtra.

Great Lakes Region

One of the least regions with only a single match in the books so far, Great Lakes is still wide open. Well, unless you count that Detroit City is in the region and appears to be taking this competition just as serious as they’ve taken every other competition they play in. God have mercy on the other three clubs playing here.

The only match played so far was DCFC’s win over FC Buffalo with goals from Matt Lewis (2) and Connor Rutz. Most surprising was that the homeside gave up a goal, a single one, but still Detroit City doesn’t do that much. The match was a clear sign, both in lineup and attitude, that Le Rouge was in it for blood and the clear favorite to win this region. This weekend Livonia City will play FC Buffalo, getting another side involved in the standings.

Have to mention congratulations to Hank for winning the Pup Pageant at Keyworth. Looking good, big guy!

Midwest Region

The Midwest kicked off with a bang when NPSL’s Torrent punched Chicago House in the mouth and never looked back. Milwaukee Torrent put that win in its back pocket and then put so many goals in the net against Union Dubuque that weather intervened and ended the match 5-0. So with two matches under their belt, Torrent looks to be the class of the Midwest, sitting pretty with 6 points.

The rest of the table is in trouble at the moment, but there is still daylight for Chicago House or MedCity. The two will face this weekend and whoever wins will still have a shot at catching up to Torrent. Even a draw wouldn’t necessarily be the end for Med City’s chances. Union Dubuque on the other hand is the sole eliminated club so far in this region, with two losses. To their credit, they did manage a goal against Med City, before giving up two.

The match to watch will be the July 27th matchup between Med City and Torrent. If Torrent wins, the Region is theirs. Of course, if Med City loses to Chicago House this weekend, it won’t matter.

New England Region

Another one of those regions with a single match played (Lansdowne Yonkers 2 -1 Newtown Pride) and a lot to still be sorted out. This weekend will have all four clubs in action, including NISA’s New Amsterdam, who will be sporting a new coach in Bouna Coundoul. The former Senegalese national team player is a veteran of MLS, goalkeeping for Red Bull and Colorado Rapids. This will be his first head coaching position. NAFC will travel to Newtown for its opening match of the competition. Lansdowne Yonkers will host Mass United Rush this weekend as well. LYFC will be looking for a second win and a stranglehold on the region.

South Central Region

The only region in the tournament to feature zero NISA sides (or soon-to-be NISA sides), the South Central has regardless featured some great soccer matches, including LSR’s incredible come-from-behind draw against Texas Spurs. That draw was indicative of this region, where only one side has managed to win a match (or two): Louisiana Krewe.

The Krewe knocked off Lone Star Republic in its first match 1-0. In its second match, Krewe faced fellow GCPL club Pool Boys FC and hung an identical scoreline, 1-0. With that win, Louisiana Krewe claim the South Central Region Championship. The team has had a hell of a year in 2021, currently the 1 seed in the GCPL semifinals. They are very deserving champions of this region with one match to play.

Southeast Region

The Southeast Region is the only other region with a crowned champion so far. Chattanooga FC has a history of taking this competition seriously (much to the chagrin of its regional amateur competition) and 2021 was no exception. During this offseason, CFC has started a mix of trialists (most notably Trialist 1 and Trialist #2) and roster mainstays. That approach has paid off so far, with the Chattanooga club winning both of its matches in the Independent Cup and winning the Regional Championship.

The first match was against reigning UPSL Champion Atletico Atlanta, who put up a solid fight at Finley, though eventually losing 1-0. CFC took to the road for match 2, facing off against Savannah Clovers and winning 4-0. Markus Naglestad has been the driving force for the offense, scoring three times in the two matches.

The rest of the table is playing for second now, with Soda City sitting in second with 2 points and both other clubs at 1. Soda City will get its shot at CFC next, playing at Finley this weekend.

Southwest Region

The only three-club region, thanks to 1904’s irritating absence, is done except for a single match. The match is an important one, as it wild decide the champion of the region. Cal United has played a single match, winning 4-1 over Atletico Olympians. The match had opened with the UPSL side scoring first, but the second half was ALL Strikers, who pumped in 4 goals for the win. For Olympians, the team went on to play FC Arizona and win 2-1, ending its Independent Cup run with a 1-1 record. FC Arizona will now travel to Orange County looking to play spoiler against Cal United. If FCA does manage the longshot upset, it will cause mass hysteria, so we’re rooting for that, of course!

West Coast Region

The West featured several clubs pretty much unknown on the national soccer scene before this competition in Magia Football Academy and Chula Vista FC. NPSL’s ASC San Diego and NISA runner-up LA Force round out the table. After an opening round draw with CVFC, Magia sits on top of the table after a convincing 4-1 win over ASC. Currently tied for second, LA Force has had a mixed bag so far, winning its first match against CVFC but losing last night’s match against ASC 1-0. ASC took the win on a first half goal from Elvis Mensah, putting the club into a second place tie on the table. Chula Vista currently sits last, with a single point.

So far, the Southwest Premier League has really played well in this region, with both teams getting points against bigger (in theory) clubs in the competition. The match that will decide the region takes place this weekend, with Magia hosting LA Force. If MFA can earn a point (so either a draw or a win), they win the Region. If LA wins, it takes the Region. All eyes on this one!