The Chattanooga Football Club's plan to play professional soccer is on standby for now.
After great efforts were made to make the Founders Cup come to life, the National Premier Soccer League's planned pro division folded before it could lift off, due to "insurance issues," according to CFC chairman Tim Kelly.
Of the original 10 members, six teams dropped out of the league as insurance and other concerns grew for Miami FC, Miami United FC, ASC San Diego, Cal FC, FC Arizona and Oakland Roots SC.
For the six teams involved in what now will be called the NPSL Members Cup, CFC, Detroit City FC, Michigan Stars, Milwaukee Torrent, Napa Valley 1839 FC and the New York Cosmos will play 10 games with five at home and five on the road from Aug. 10 to Oct. 26.
Chattanooga will host the NPSL championship-contending Cosmos on Aug. 10 to begin the Members Cup, which is governed by the United States Adult Soccer Association.
"We are playing the same dates we announced back when the Founders Cup schedule came out, just a different opponent here and there," Kelly said. "In short, insurance was the issue in getting separate league sanctioning. Now it's just happening under the NPSL league sanctioning, hence their desire to rename it the Members Cup."
In CFC's supporter ownership campaign, a total of 3,253 shares were sold for $872,125 by June 1. Of that money raised, 50% was supposed to go toward player payroll.
Appearing ready to take the next leap after continued success in the NPSL with eight conference championships and four national finals appearances, Chattanooga FC is faced with a tough decision along with other clubs.
One of those options could be joining the soon-to-launch National Independent Soccer Association. Miami FC and Oakland Roots already have joined the eight-team league that kicks off Aug. 31 and plans to expand to a full season in 2020.
NISA is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation and is level three on the soccer pyramid, which is the same level as the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. NISA will operate on a fall and spring schedule similar to the FIFA calendar.
While Chattanooga FC has had a great run in the NPSL, it still could take a look into professional soccer or decide to remain amateur.
"For the future we are weighing our options and will be announcing something in the next few weeks," Kelly said.
Chattanooga FC and Detroit City FC will be playing exhibition matches against members from NISA this fall. CFC will play Stumptown Athletic (Charlotte, North Carolina) with a road match on Oct. 12 and a home match on Oct. 19. Meanwhile, Detroit City will host the Philadelphia Fury on Aug. 31 and visit them on Oct. 26.
While founded in June of 2017, NISA is just now beginning play as the league has built up money and momentum. The league was pushed back and went silent for a while after the death of a co-founder.
US Soccer has minimum financial requirements for teams to be able to join NISA, which require several millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, the NPSL will continue to be America's leader in amateur soccer with more than 90 teams around the country.
"As it has been for the past 10 years, the Chattanooga Football Club continues to be committed to put a great soccer team on the field, create an incredible fan experience, represent our city well on national and international stages and make a positive impact in our community," president Sheldon Grizzle said.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.