The report is a bit late. However, some news regarding NISA and the UPSL.
2020 Spring Season Update (oaklandrootssc.com)
Anyone who has purchased a membership for the now cancelled season will now roll over to the Fall Season.
The release verbatim from the Roots:
Roots Fans,
We greatly appreciate your support and patience as we continue to navigate through this global pandemic together. Today it was announced by the National Independent Soccer Association that the remainder of the 2020 Spring Season will be canceled after conferring with medical experts, the US Soccer Federation, and other professional soccer leagues. NISA has additionally announced its plans for a potential Independent Cup this Summer, the timeline for the 2020 Fall Season, and its return to play protocol.
All tickets purchased for 2020 Spring Season home games will roll-over to the Fall Season pending the CDC’s recommendation that it is safe to have fans in stadiums. Oakland Roots Members will receive full 2020 Fall Memberships, with no additional payment required. For Group and Single-Game ticket holders, you will receive priority to select the game of your choice this Fall. Details regarding the 2020 Fall Season Schedule will be announced as soon they are available.
For inquiries regarding Oakland Roots tickets please contact us at tickets@rootssc.com.
Read the full statement from NISA below:
For Immediate Release April 27, 2020 Chicago, Illinois
The National Independent Soccer Association’s (NISA) COVID-19 Task Force continues to work with medical experts, the US Soccer Federation, and the other professional soccer leagues to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 global environment as well as assemble NISA’s Return to Play (RTP) protocol for its clubs. The RTP protocol will be comprised of three phases, 1) Preparation, 2) Return to Training, and 3) Return to Match Play. NISA will also continue to adhere to guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as mandates from the State and local governments.
NISA’s Spring Season launched in February and had been scheduled to end in June; however, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 virus, this has become an unrealistic time frame for the league to get back to the pitch to complete the season. As a result, The National Independent Soccer Association is officially announcing the cancellation of the balance of the Spring Season while at the same time announcing Fall Season details. NISA and its member clubs look forward to welcoming the NY Cosmos and New Amsterdam FC to the league’s competition in the fall. The intent is to start the season in August and end in November. At this point, the league is preparing to play in one of three environments: 1) closed door, 2) open door with a limited number of fans, and 3) open door. The environment will be predicated by best practices as determined by NISA’s COVID-19 Task Force, comprised of medical experts, along with guidance from the CDC and concern for the health and well being of our players, staff, and fans.
The National Independent Soccer Association is also planning its inaugural NISA Independent Cup, a competition between a collection of NISA clubs and select high-level amateur clubs. It’s anticipated the Independent Cup will be a regional competition behind closed doors and take place between Mid-July and Mid-August. Details of the clubs participating and the competition format will be forthcoming. NISA Commissioner, John Prutch, acknowledged that there are still many details that cannot be worked out today, such as whether or not spectators will be allowed to attend matches and when exactly clubs will be allowed to return to training. “The world has changed, and with it, so must we. Whether you’re an athlete or a business, you can adapt to unique challenges. At NISA, these shifts are being made in fundamental business strategies using creative, adaptive, and strategic solutions to resume play when it is safe and reasonable to do so with continued advisory from top medical experts. The path to achieving these goals is fluid as we adapt to an ever-evolving landscape, and we will proceed with care and ensure all of the appropriate steps are in place as we move forward,” John Prutch, NISA Commissioner.
Stay healthy, and we look forward to celebrating together again soon. Thank you for your commitment to Oakland, and Roots.
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Also an update from the UPSL.
UPSL 2020 Spring Season Update (upsl.com)
April 27, 2020 – Los Angeles, CA – First, we want to send our best wishes for good health to everyone in the UPSL community during these unprecedented times.
We have been monitoring closely the developments at a national and regional level while remaining optimistic that soccer will be played again soon.
Clearly nothing will re-start in early May, so our plans now shift to the possibility of re-starting the season in late May or early June.
While we cannot predict the exact timing, we can be ready with a schedule if and when the time comes. For now we intend to stay flexible and keep an open mind.
Our plans include creating a safety protocol that will be in place for all games. These are intended to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
It is becoming very clear that some parts of the country will be opening up sooner than others. This means that the number of available weeks to complete a regular season may vary from conference to conference. This should not cause any problems so long as a sufficient number of games are played.
Scenario 1: Start May 23-24
Regular Season – May 23-24 to Aug. 2. 11 weekends to complete minimum 10 games.
Playoffs Round of 32 – Aug. 8-9
Playoffs Round of 16 – Aug. 15-16
Regional Finals – Aug. 22-23
National Finals – Sept. 5-7 (Labor Day)
Scenario 2: Start May 30-31
Regular Season – May 30-31 to Aug. 2. 10 weekends to complete minimum 10 games.
Playoffs Round of 32 – Aug. 8-9
Playoffs Round of 16 – Aug. 15-16
Regional Finals – Aug. 22-23
National Finals – Sept. 5-7 (Labor Day)
Scenario 3: Start June 6-7
Regular Season – June 6-7 to Aug. 9. 10 weekends to complete minimum 10 games.
(Play-In game for some divisions required to qualify for Round of 16 playoffs.)
Playoffs Round of 16 – Aug. 15-16
Regional Finals – Aug. 22-23
National Finals – Sept. 5-7 (Labor Day)
We will provide further updates as new information regarding restrictions and timelines become available.
Thank you,
Yan Skwara
UPSL Commissioner
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MLS is still under a moratorium until May 15 with an intent to resume arond June 8.