NISL To Begin Play in November

September 9, 2008-The National Indoor Soccer League, the newest incarnation of professional indoor soccer in North America, will begin the 2008-09 season in mid-November. The NISL was formed after the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) dissolved in May and includes four former MISL teams. The NISL will operate under a reformed business model that shifts from the MISL's single-entity structure and allows for long-term growth.

The NISL will consist of five member clubs: the Baltimore Blast, La Raza de Monterrey, Orlando Sharks, Philadelphia KiXX (all of the former MISL) and the Rockford (Illinois) Rampage (the 2007-08 American Indoor Soccer League champions). With the Baltimore Blast and the Philadelphia KiXX, the NISL will feature two of the most successful former MISL teams. Baltimore defeated Monterrey to win the 2008 MISL Championship, and the Blast and KiXX combined to win six of the last seven titles. In addition to the teams' on-field successes, Baltimore and Philadelphia have led the MISL in attendance each of the last four seasons.

Each NISL team will play an 18-game schedule (nine home games/nine away games) beginning in mid-November and concluding the first weekend in April. The complete 2008-09 schedule and playoff format will be released in late September.

Important Information
The NISL will use the same rules as the MISL which featured a multiple-point scoring system, four 15-minute quarters and unlimited substitutions. The League has formed a working relationship with the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and will become a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

Contacts
Oscar Albuquerque - 847-630-9034
Dave Schmidt - daveschmidt@bright.net