The United States Soccer Federation has provisionally sanctioned the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) as a Professional Soccer League, clearing the way for the league to begin play in the fall of 2019.

"We would like to thank U.S. Soccer for working through this process and sanctioning NISA as a professional league,” said NISA president Bob Watkins. “We look forward to working with the Federation to help grow the game at all levels throughout the United States.”

The U.S. Soccer Federation has strict requirements for professional soccer leagues that play in the United States. To be sanctioned as a professional league, American leagues must meet stringent requirements relating to financial stability, stadium size, geographic distribution and the number of teams.

NISA will begin play in the fall of 2019 with teams in at least eight cities across the country. Clubs in Atlanta, Charlotte, New England and Philadelphia have already announced their efforts, with the rest expected to go public in the coming days.

Unlike other American soccer leagues, NISA will play a fall-to-spring season with a winter break, allowing time off during the difficult weather of December & January. This integrates NISA clubs into the worldwide game by facilitating seamless scheduling with clubs around the world and allowing NISA clubs to fully participate in the international transfer market.