ORLANDO (November 18, 2022) – Today, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) Board of Governors is excited to announce the acceptance of amateur side and Orlando, Fla.,-based Club de Lyon FC (CLY) as a member of NISA.  A brand-new club, CLY was an inaugural member of incubator league NISA Nation in the Florida Region and sits atop the Orlando Lions RFC amateur club. It has applied to begin professional play in 2023.

“From the moment we began working with the club through NISA Nation, its commitment to providing a quality opportunity for player, coach and front office growth was evident,” says NISA Executive Vice President Josh Prutch. “Its success, on and off the pitch, in the inaugural season for the Florida Region has provided NISA a true assessment of their organization and aligns with our strong belief in the open system and meritocracy.”

Having begun operations in the spring of 2022, Club de Lyon proved its mettle on the pitch. First, it earned the inaugural NISA Nation Florida Region championship dropping only five points over 12 matches. The club followed that performance with a strong showing in the NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region. It won its two amateur club round-robin matches before giving NISA professional side Chattanooga FC a game in a 3-2 loss.

“We see ourselves as a family club that wants to go pro,” says Owner, Founder and CEO of CLY Fabian Pourrain. “We are committed to the players, the staff and the community.”

Pourrain has been involved in amateur and professional soccer for many years, including participation in the first division of Argentine soccer. He coached with Jorge Castelli in "Tiro Federal de Rosario,” with Club Mercedes in the Copa Argentina, the Haiti national team, and the Nigerian national side. He also founded Club Atletico Real Oeste that competed in the Argentine Federal Tournament.

The Application was compiled/created over a couple months period and extensively reviewed by the League’s front office and Board. The club already has begun the next and very important stage of on-boarding to ensure their readiness for play in 2023, joining Gold Star Detroit and Savannah Clovers FC as new entrants.