Independent soccer in California is taking ambitious steps forward amidst a pandemic
As new leagues and opportunities emerge for the emerging sport across the country, Californians share their ambitions and optimism for post-pandemic football.
The NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) and the NSL (National Soccer League) have cemented their positions in the 3rd and 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid. Both leagues have ambitions to play at some time in 2020.
This contrasts within the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League) who also occupies the 4th division and was the first soccer league in the country to stop playing, affecting over 90 teams across the nation. While they share the space with other leagues in the country, their soccer clubs have been severely affected by the pandemic.
In a conversation with a former youth player, Nilay Sharan, 23, the pandemic has varying effects. FC Davis, the 4th division club in the NPSL just south of Sacramento is not playing right now as a result of this. Clubs in Southern California, such as the Oxnard Guerreros are suffering as they lack the millionaire backing that other clubs may have.
Situations differ from case to case, Sharan points out. The second team he follows, the Oakland Roots are doing well on engagement with the community despite having only played one tournament since they fielded a team.
“For smaller teams, it is vital you make the team relatable and accessible, through a kids night or community outreach, you have to be available to put in that grassroots effort. It is important to have that community behind you whether you are a part of that footy community or are not,” Nilay said.
While the federal administration continues struggling with the economic recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its threat to public safety, many states have pondered the handling of the virus via more regional avenues.
Sven Serrano is an advocate for a statewide alternative to a national system in soccer. He wants California to have a football association apart from USSF (United States Soccer Federation).
A football association, or FA, is the sovereign governing body of a region or country. They promote the development of the sport in its youth leagues, development academies, and soccer clubs. A California FA would have a California-first mentality.
There are still ways to go as CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations), the governing authority on regional and ethnic football associations, has not accepted California this year at its conference on a vote of 137–127. This does not stop the California Football Federation (CFF), which Serrano is a member of, from planning ahead.
“I want to offer the California Football Federation to all the minor league, smaller-division league teams in California if they want to get a talking shop together and make demands to the USSF,” Serrano said.
The plan for the California Football Federation would be to base itself in Bakersfield where it could serve both the Central Valley and Southern California while remaining accessible to Northern California. There are already jerseys available to purchase.
While plans are still being placed on hold for the ambitious non-profit wanting to start a California team for its locals, clubs are focusing on what they are allowed to do.
The City of Richmond is fielding a semi-professional soccer team for the first time in its city history. The Richmond Sol, who would be playing in the expanding NSL league would have their first shots on the field in the fall of this year.
Fermín Salazar, the treasurer for the Sol was a factor in the club his uncle Diego García started in 2003. Originally known as the Richmond Sol Cobras, the club undertook a new identity as they plan their first team roster for their first season.
“We’re a community organization, we’re a community team we don’t just want to play soccer, we want to help people develop,” Salazar said.
On August 9, the club had open signups in lieu of their first tryout event for their new fourth division team. According to Salazar, 90 plus players came to meet the coaching staff and sign up for August 30 tryouts. Most of the players were from the city of Richmond.
