November 25, 2021 – Lake Mary, FL –
Deportivo Lake Mary was founded in 2017 by Alfredo Forero as an expansion team in the UPSL. The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is a semi-professional league with its main focus being player development. Founded in 2011, the UPSL has grown to become one of the largest semi-professional soccer leagues in the world and has produced talent that has gone overseas and has stayed homebound to play in leagues such as the MLS. Although the UPSL has grown in popularity and size, the league has found itself spread with many controversies. The UPSL has had many allegations of teams receiving schedules last minute, improper handling of league infractions, and even result manipulation. Even with the controversy, the UPSL has still been a desirable market and league for potential team owners. Where the league has lacked has been with providing the opportunity for to teams to get promoted to a professional level.
Deportivo has not had the best of luck in the UPSL with just recently posting a 3-1-6 record (W-D-L). Where they have lacked in wins, they have made up for their organization’s structure. Lake Mary Deportivo has their “B” team, whom which has had success in the past in the UPSL’s second division. Deportivo has had great success in player development, but has seen a great need for player retention. To bring attention to this need, Lake Mary Deportivo needed a change.
Lake Mary Deportivo announced on Wednesday Nov. 24th, 2021 that they would be leaving the UPSL and would be joining NISA Nation for the 2022 season. They thanked the UPSL for their time in the league and looked to excite their fan base for their new endeavor. NISA Nation, like the UPSL, is a semi-professional league in the fourth-tier of the American Soccer System. What makes NISA Nation different from other semi-professional leagues is that they are affiliated with NISA (National Independent Soccer Association), whom which is in the third-tier of the American Soccer System. This will now give teams the opportunity to become professional. This will also give players a clearer path to pro through a promotion system. Lake Mary Deportivo is expected to start play in NISA Nation in 2022.
