The National Independent Soccer Association announced on Jan. 31 that Albion San Diego will be returning for 2023 season.

Albion San Diego reached the championship match in its NISA rookie season last year after finishing as the fourth-seed overall and defeating the Maryland Bobcats 2-0 in the quarterfinals followed by a 4-2 victory against top-seeded Cal United Strikers in the semifinals.

While the NISA regular season schedule is yet to be announced, Albion San Diego will be one of nine teams competing along with LA Force that will be the only other West Coast club since Cal United recently announced it will be taking this year off with an expected return for 2024.

“We begin this season with even more optimism than we did in 2022, and last season provided so many highlights,” said NISA Commissioner John Prutch via league statement. “While our numbers haven’t grown, the stability of our clubs has – and that is great for the long-term health of our league and the players.”

The league also added Club de Lyon FC, Savannah Clovers FC, and Gold Star FC Detroit for 2023 with the competition format remaining as a single-table regular season with the top six clubs making the playoffs. Along with its league matches, Albion San Diego will also get to compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup just as last year when it faced off versus San Diego Loyal at Canyon Crest Academy Stadium.

Photo courtesy of David Frerker