National Indoor Soccer League
Encyclopedia
The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer
league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League. Originally, five teams had been announced to play in the inaugural season; four previously in the previous Major Indoor Soccer League and one formerly in the American Indoor Soccer League
. However, the Orlando Sharks
(formerly of the MISL) were forced to go inactive because of scheduling conflicts with Amway Arena. Later, the Massachusetts Twisters
were brought in from the AISL to take the Sharks' place. The MISL is top-tier league of indoor soccer in the USA.
) and the Xtreme Soccer League
. The NISL and the XSL were more closely related, with both leagues first announcing four former MISL teams respectively and using the same game rules as the MISL.
In early July 2009 The XSL had announced they were to go on a one year hiatus due to a low amount of monetary backing, which left the NISL as the highest priced operating indoor soccer league in the United States of America.
The NISL announced on July 13, 2009 that an all-star
team of players from the Baltimore Blast, Rockford Rampage, and Philadelphia KiXX would play in a six-a-side outdoor exhibition match against an all-star team from Bermuda's
Island Soccer League
on July 19, 2009.
The NISL was attempting to get numerous teams from the folded XSL to join for the 2009-2010. The NISL did acquire the Milwaukee Wave
for the 2009-2010 season. The NISL lost one team for the 2009-2010 season, the Massachusetts Twisters. The only team that was a member of the NISL's inaugural season that is still playing in the MISL today is the Baltimore Blast. The rest of the 2010-2011 season teams are expansion teams that joined this year, with the exception of the Milwaukee Wave who joined in the second season.
Shortly before the league launched its 2009-2010 season, the opportunity arose to purchase the rights to the name of its predecessor, "Major Indoor Soccer League"; the league acquired the rights and immediately rebranded itself as the newest form of the MISL.
July 18, 2010 the MISL played another All-Star Game against Bermuda's
Island Soccer League
. Milwaukee Wave's Hewerton Moriera had 3 goals and 2 assists also Philadelphia KiXX's Richardino added 2 goals and 2 assists in the MISL All-Stars 8 - 3 win.
It was announced on August 18th, 2010 that the MISL is expanding into Missouri (Kansas City) and Omaha starting with the 2010-11 season.
The league is looking to expand in former MISL markets like St. Louis, Hartford, Harrisburg, Dallas, and Newark
. The league is also looking to expand in newer markets like Boston
, Tulsa, Minneapolis, Denver, and Raleigh
.
An update to the official MISL "about" web page on October 6, 2010 acknowledged that the league was composed of only five teams, with the Rockford Rampage and reigning champion Monterrey La Raza no longer active league members. On October 15, 2010, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the exodus of the Philadelphia KiXX and the addition of a Chicago
franchise.
In May 2011, United Soccer Leagues
announced it had entered into an agreement with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and will operate the indoor league beginning with the 2011-12 season.
On September 27 2011, the MISL announced that the Chicago Kick failed to secure a suitable venue in time and would not play for the 2011-2012 season. The Kick will try to join the league for the 2012-2013 season.
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League. Originally, five teams had been announced to play in the inaugural season; four previously in the previous Major Indoor Soccer League and one formerly in the American Indoor Soccer League
American Indoor Soccer League
The American Indoor Soccer League was a semi-professional indoor soccer league founded in 2003 and for now folded in 2008.- History :Founded in 2002, the AISL's headquarters are based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, but the media relations office is based out of Cleveland, Ohio. The league...
. However, the Orlando Sharks
Orlando Sharks
The Orlando Sharks were an American indoor soccer was based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Founded in 2007, the team played in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
(formerly of the MISL) were forced to go inactive because of scheduling conflicts with Amway Arena. Later, the Massachusetts Twisters
Massachusetts Twisters
The Massachusetts Twisters were an American indoor soccer was based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 2003, the team played in every American Indoor Soccer League season and played one season in the National Indoor Soccer League....
were brought in from the AISL to take the Sharks' place. The MISL is top-tier league of indoor soccer in the USA.
History
The NISL was one of three leagues that organized in late 2008 after the demise of the second MISL; the others two being the PASL-Pro (an offshoot of the Premier Arena Soccer LeaguePremier Arena Soccer League
The Premier Arena Soccer League is an Indoor Soccer league with amateur and semi-professional teams. PASL-Premier currently has 38 teams in 6 divisions across the USA and Mexico. PASL-Premier is the official developmental league of the Professional Arena Soccer League .Teams play in regional...
) and the Xtreme Soccer League
Xtreme Soccer League
The Xtreme Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that began play in December 2008. Four teams from the former Major Indoor Soccer League participated in the first XSL season--- the Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, and New Jersey Ironmen...
. The NISL and the XSL were more closely related, with both leagues first announcing four former MISL teams respectively and using the same game rules as the MISL.
In early July 2009 The XSL had announced they were to go on a one year hiatus due to a low amount of monetary backing, which left the NISL as the highest priced operating indoor soccer league in the United States of America.
The NISL announced on July 13, 2009 that an all-star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team of players from the Baltimore Blast, Rockford Rampage, and Philadelphia KiXX would play in a six-a-side outdoor exhibition match against an all-star team from Bermuda's
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
Island Soccer League
Island Soccer League
The Island Soccer League is a professional six-a-side association football league based in Bermuda. The league is the brainchild of Bermuda legend David Bascome.Founded in 2006, the league started play in 2007.-Style of play:...
on July 19, 2009.
The NISL was attempting to get numerous teams from the folded XSL to join for the 2009-2010. The NISL did acquire the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
for the 2009-2010 season. The NISL lost one team for the 2009-2010 season, the Massachusetts Twisters. The only team that was a member of the NISL's inaugural season that is still playing in the MISL today is the Baltimore Blast. The rest of the 2010-2011 season teams are expansion teams that joined this year, with the exception of the Milwaukee Wave who joined in the second season.
Shortly before the league launched its 2009-2010 season, the opportunity arose to purchase the rights to the name of its predecessor, "Major Indoor Soccer League"; the league acquired the rights and immediately rebranded itself as the newest form of the MISL.
July 18, 2010 the MISL played another All-Star Game against Bermuda's
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
Island Soccer League
Island Soccer League
The Island Soccer League is a professional six-a-side association football league based in Bermuda. The league is the brainchild of Bermuda legend David Bascome.Founded in 2006, the league started play in 2007.-Style of play:...
. Milwaukee Wave's Hewerton Moriera had 3 goals and 2 assists also Philadelphia KiXX's Richardino added 2 goals and 2 assists in the MISL All-Stars 8 - 3 win.
It was announced on August 18th, 2010 that the MISL is expanding into Missouri (Kansas City) and Omaha starting with the 2010-11 season.
The league is looking to expand in former MISL markets like St. Louis, Hartford, Harrisburg, Dallas, and Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. The league is also looking to expand in newer markets like Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Tulsa, Minneapolis, Denver, and Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
.
An update to the official MISL "about" web page on October 6, 2010 acknowledged that the league was composed of only five teams, with the Rockford Rampage and reigning champion Monterrey La Raza no longer active league members. On October 15, 2010, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the exodus of the Philadelphia KiXX and the addition of a Chicago
franchise.
In May 2011, United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
announced it had entered into an agreement with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and will operate the indoor league beginning with the 2011-12 season.
On September 27 2011, the MISL announced that the Chicago Kick failed to secure a suitable venue in time and would not play for the 2011-2012 season. The Kick will try to join the league for the 2012-2013 season.
Commissioner
| Name | Years |
|---|---|
| David Grimaldi | 2008-2011 |
| Chris Economides | 2011-present |
Active
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Joined | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Division | ||||
| Baltimore Blast Baltimore Blast (current) Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League.... |
Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... |
1st Mariner Arena 1st Mariner Arena 1st Mariner Arena is an arena located in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2003, it was renamed by 1st Mariner Bank, which purchased naming rights to the arena for 10 years. It was reported that 1st Mariner Bank will need to pay the city $75,000 for the next ten years to keep the naming rights to the complex... |
2008 |  Danny Kelly |
| Norfolk SharX Norfolk SharX The Norfolk SharX are a member of the proposed indoor Major Indoor Soccer League. set to begin play in the 2011-2012 season.... |
Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.... |
Norfolk Scope Norfolk Scope Norfolk Scope is a multipurpose culture, entertainment, convention and sports arena at the northern perimeter of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, designed by Italian architect/engineer Pier Luigi Nervi in conjunction with the local firm of Williams and Tazewell... |
2010 |  Jon Hall |
| Rochester Lancers Rochester Lancers (2010) The Rochester Lancers are an indoor soccer team in the Major Indoor Soccer League. The team is named in honor of the Rochester Lancers of the North American Soccer League.... |
Rochester, New York Rochester, New York Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City... |
Blue Cross Arena Blue Cross Arena The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000... |
2010 | Bill Andracki Bill Andracki Bill Andracki is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who had an extensive professional career playing both indoor and outdoor soccer.-Youth:... |
| Syracuse Silver Knights | Syracuse, New York Syracuse, New York Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603... |
War Memorial at Oncenter War Memorial at Oncenter The War Memorial at Oncenter, originally the Onondaga War Memorial, is a 6,159-seat multi-purpose arena in Downtown Syracuse, New York. It is part of the Oncenter Complex.... |
2010 | Tommy Tanner Tommy Tanner Thomas “Tommy” Tanner is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in the USL A-League, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer Leaguey... |
| Central Division | ||||
| Milwaukee Wave Milwaukee Wave The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League.... |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the... |
U.S. Cellular Arena U.S. Cellular Arena U.S. Cellular Arena is an indoor arena, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin... |
2009 | Keith Tozer Keith Tozer Keith Tozer is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association. He currently coaches the Milwaukee Wave of Major Indoor Soccer League.-College:... |
| Missouri Comets Missouri Comets The Missouri Comets are an indoor soccer team based in Independence, Missouri, near Kansas City. They joined the new Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team in the 2010–2011 season. They play their home games at the Independence Events Center.... |
Independence, Missouri Independence, Missouri Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area... (Kansas City area Independence, Missouri Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area... ) |
Independence Events Center | 2010 |  Kim RøntvedKim Røntved Kim Røntved , known as "the Rocket", is a Danish former professional football player and current head coach of the Missouri Comets.... |
| Wichita Wings Wichita Wings (2011) For the original team, see Wichita Wings.The Wichita Wings are an expansion team for the Major Indoor Soccer League set to begin play in Hartman Arena, November 2011.... |
Park City, Kansas Park City, Kansas Park City is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States; it is a suburb of Wichita. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,297.-History:... (Wichita area Wichita, Kansas Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area... ) |
Hartman Arena Hartman Arena Hartman Arena is a privately managed 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena located at 77th Street North and I-135 in Park City, Kansas. Ground was broken on March 25, 2008, and opened the last week of March, 2009. It hosts home games of the Wichita Wild indoor football team. Tickets.com and Hartman Arena... |
2010 | LeBaron Hollimon |
Defunct
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded | Joined | Folded | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Riot Chicago Riot The Chicago Riot was an indoor soccer team that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They were based in Villa Park, Illinois, near Chicago, and they played their home games at the Odeum Expo Center.-Namesake:... |
Chicago, Illinois Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
Odeum Expo Center Odeum Expo Center The Odeum Expo Center is a convention center located in Villa Park, Illinois. It features of exhibit space at the North Hall and of exhibit space at the South Hall. Both halls have pitched roofs as high as . The South Hall is also used as an arena with an 85-by-194-foot artificial turf surface... |
2010 | 2010 | 2011 | Folded |
| Massachusetts Twisters Massachusetts Twisters The Massachusetts Twisters were an American indoor soccer was based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 2003, the team played in every American Indoor Soccer League season and played one season in the National Indoor Soccer League.... |
West Springfield, Massachusetts West Springfield, Massachusetts The Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 28,391 at the 2010 census... |
The Big E Coliseum The Big E Coliseum The Eastern States Coliseum, better known as the Big E Coliseum, is a 5,900-seat multi-purpose arena in West Springfield, Massachusetts.-History:The Big E Coliseum was built in 1926... |
2003 | 2008 | 2009 | Folded |
| Monterrey La Raza | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Monterrey Arena Monterrey Arena Arena Monterrey is an indoor arena in Monterrey, Mexico. It is primarily used for concerts, shows and indoor sports like indoor soccer or basketball... |
2007 | 2008 | 2010 | Folded |
| Orlando Sharks Orlando Sharks The Orlando Sharks were an American indoor soccer was based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Founded in 2007, the team played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.... 1 |
Orlando, Florida Orlando, Florida Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... |
Amway Arena | 2007 | 2008 | 2008 | Folded |
| Philadelphia KiXX Philadelphia KiXX The Philadelphia KiXX were a professional indoor soccer team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1995 as an NPSL expansion franchise, they played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.The team colors were red, black, white, and blue... |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Liacouras Center Liacouras Center The Liacouras Center, a 10,200-seat multi-purpose venue, is located on the Temple University campus along North Broad Street in North Philadelphia. The venue is a full entertainment arena featuring concerts, family shows, Temple Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, Philadelphia KiXX games, and other... |
1995 | 2008 | 2010 | Folded |
| Rockford Rampage Rockford Rampage The Rockford Rampage were an American indoor soccer team based in Rockford, Illinois, USA. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League.The team played its home games at Rockford MetroCentre. The team colors are black and green... |
Rockford, Illinois Rockford, Illinois Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated... |
Rockford MetroCentre Rockford MetroCentre The BMO Harris Bank Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team... |
2005 | 2008 | 2010 | Folded |
- Never played a NISL/MISL game
Left the MISL
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded | Joined MISL | Left MISL | New League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Vipers Omaha Vipers The Omaha Vipers are a PASL-Pro team that began play in the MISL in the 2010-11 season. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Vipers play their home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The move from the MISL to the PASL-Pro was announced on May 5, 2011.... |
Omaha, Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River... |
Omaha Civic Auditorium Omaha Civic Auditorium The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose convention center in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of CenturyLink Center Omaha in 2003.... |
2010 | 2010 | 2011 | PASL-Pro Professional Arena Soccer League The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA .... |
Expansion Teams
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded | Joining MISL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Kick Chicago Kick The Chicago Kick are a professional indoor soccer team that play in the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Kick joined the MISL as an expansion team in 2011, replacing the defunct Chicago Riot.... |
Chicago, Illinois Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
TBA | 2011 | 2012-2013 |
Championships
| Season | Date | Champion | Score | Runner-Up | Host | Playoffs MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 4/11/09 | Baltimore | 13-10 | Rockford | Baltimore | Sagu |
| 2009-10 | 4/04/10 | Monterrey | 12- 6 | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | Chile Farias |
| 2010-11 | 3/25/11 | Milwaukee | 16-7 | Baltimore | Baltimore | Marcel Feenstra |
Average attendance
| Year | Games | Total | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 2008–09 National Indoor Soccer League season The 2008-09 National Indoor Soccer League is the inaugural season for the league. The members of the NISL's first season are the Baltimore Blast, the Massachusetts Twisters, the Monterrey La Raza, the Philadelphia KiXX, and the Rockford Rampage... |
41 | 170,696 | 4,163 |
| 2009-10 | 50 | 188,005 | 3,760 |
| 2010-11 2010–11 Major Indoor Soccer League season The 2010-11 Major Indoor Soccer League is the third season for the league, and second under the MISL banner.Three new teams, the Omaha Vipers, the Missouri Comets, and the Chicago Riot joined the league prior to the season's beginning.-Standings:... |
50 | 199,123 | 3,982 |
| 2011-12 | 00 | 000,000 | 0,000 |
| Seasons | Games | Total | Average |
| 3 | 141 | 557,824 | 3,956 |
External links
- Official League Website
- Official Broadcast Partner
- Top Attendance in United States Soccer