Happy Monday, Everybody! I hope you guys enjoyed that thrilling Super Bowl game last night. It was another busy week of transfer news in the National Independent Soccer Association, with notable moves across the league. We have some clubs that are in preseason, some wrapping up player tryouts, and some notable free agents seeking their next challenge. Let’s start with some player signings, which began in Los Angeles as the Force announced some significant additions last week.
Michael Salazar (LA Force)
The LA Force made a big move last week, announcing the signing of striker Michael Salazar. The 31-year-old striker has played with two MLS and 6 USL Championship clubs. The Montreal Impact drafted him (now known as CF Montreal in MLS) in 2016 and was with them through the 2018 season. Salazar also played with the Houston Dynamo from 2019 to 2020. Salazar has scored five goals across 42 matches in his MLS career. Salazar most recently played with the Miami FC in the USL Championship, making 32 appearances, scoring two goals, and had two assists during the 2023 season.
Salazar has also played with LA Galaxy II, Memphis 901 FC, Rio Grand Valley FC Toros, the Ottawa Fury, and FC Montreal in the USL. This move will give the Force another attacking option. LA was ranked 3rd in the league in goals scored as the club scored 33 goals total during the 2023 season. The Michigan Stars and Chattanooga FC scored more as they were the top two goal-scoring clubs from last year. Their leading goalscorer, Francis Avoce, scored 7 of those goals for the Force during the regular season.
Alex Juarez (LA Force)
The Force wasn’t finished yet, as the club also announced that midfielder Alex Juarez will return for his second season.
Juarez made 20 appearances for the Force last season. He had previously played with LA Galaxy II before joining the Force in 2023.
Darwin Espinal (Maryland Bobcats FC)
The Force wasn’t the only club making moves last week as the Maryland Bobcats FC announced the return of the 2023 NISA Golden Ball Winner Darwin Espinal.
Espinal will be back for his third season with the Bobcats. He finished second in the league in goals with 11, only four behind back-to-back NISA Golden Boot winner Markus Naglestad of Chattanooga FC during the 2023 regular season. Espinal has been crucial for the Bobcats, scoring big goals and being versatile, playing as an attacking midfielder, leading the attack as a striker, or playing on the wing. He also has leadership experience and has played for historic clubs such as the New York Cosmos and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Let’s catch you up on some notable free agents as clubs decide who’s staying and who’s going as we get close to kickoff. There is no word yet on where former Chattanooga FC striker Markus Naglestad or Flower City Union defender Stephen Elias will go next. Still, we have some familiar faces looking for new places.
Malik Thom (Maryland Bobcats FC)
According to Pedro Breganholi of BSA Press Release, The Maryland Bobcats FC and forward Malik Thom have mutually agreed to part ways. Thom had five goals in 19 matches for the Bobcats last season. He looks to be seeking a new challenge with another club.
Max Rugova (Savannah Clovers FC)
Also, according to Pedro Breganholi of BSA Press Release, striker Max Rugova will not return to Savannah Clovers FC after reportedly declining to renew his contract with the club. Rugova started the 2023 season with Gold Star FC Detroit before leaving the club last summer to join the Savannah Clovers. He made nine appearances for Gold Star FC, scoring two goals and adding one assist during his time in Michigan. Since joining the Clovers last August, Rugova has made seven appearances and scored two goals. Rugova is also a versatile player who can play as a midfielder or on the wing and is not afraid to crash the net to score goals. It will be intriguing to see where he lands next.
Let’s catch you up on what other NISA clubs have been doing lately this off-season.
Arizona Monsoon FC
Only a little to report on Arizona Monsoon FC. The club announced a partnership with Fanbase. They have started selling season tickets and have already concluded their player tryouts last month, so hopefully, we’ll hear some player signing announcements soon.
Capo FC
Capo FC has also been in preseason training and has had player tryouts within the last month. The club announced recently that center back Brian Lenzer has left the club and has joined Glacis United FC of the Gibraltar Football League.
Club de Lyon FC
After staying silent for months on social media, Club de Lyon FC is alive and confirmed on Instagram they’ll be back in NISA for the 2024 season.
Club de Lyon also announced last week that it will hold its player tryouts this weekend.
Georgia Lions FC
There is not much to report on Georgia Lions FC, but they held their first pro player tryouts on Feb. 4. No player signings have been announced, but the club will have a player invite tryout this weekend at the Heritage Soccer Complex in Dalton, Georgia.
Gold Star FC Detroit
There’s not much to report on Gold Star FC Detroit, either. The club hasn’t posted anything on its social media channels since last October. However, according to Pedro Breganholi of BSA Press Release, Gold Star FC parted ways with club captain Yaya Cisse. He played in 17 matches for Gold Star FC last season, logged 1,309 minutes on the pitch, and brings experience and leadership to a new club looking to add a center back.
Irvine Zeta FC
Irvine Zeta FC has not announced who will replace former Head Coach Diego Gomez, but the players have been busy in training camp, and the club announced its preseason schedule.
Michigan Stars FC
The Michigan Stars began its preseason last week. The club did conclude its player tryouts and has teased on social media that they’ll be making player signing announcements very soon.
Also, former Stars player D.J. Dean, who joined the club last August, is looking for a new club, according to Pedro Breganholi of BSA Press Release. Dean has had two stints with the Stars, appearing in their 2022 U.S. Open Cup match against Detroit City FC and making four appearances for the club last season. He is reportedly training with his former club FC Tulsa while he looks to sign for a new club this season.
Those are the latest updates I have for you on player movement in the NISA League. In the comments section below, let me know what you think of these latest moves. Also, please subscribe to my blog to get my latest blog posts, podcasts, and more sent directly to your inbox. Stay tuned; I’ll post a new podcast episode and more articles later this week. Till then, enjoy your Monday, take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you next time.
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