CHICAGO – The National Independent Soccer Association has approved the Valley United FC application to begin play next spring, it was announced Thursday.

Valley United is a Phoenix-based club making the jump to the pro level. It competes in the United Premier Soccer League’s Southwest Conference, Arizona Division.

“Valley United FC is an organization that fully believes in the merit-based approach to club development that NISA does,” NISA commissioner John Prutch said in a statement. “With the amount of talent and support found in Arizona, Valley United is a battle-tested addition to our presence in the American Southwest.”

Founded in 2020, the club has earned multiple UPSL Arizona Division championships. It also participated in the 2021 NISA Independent Cup alongside NISA pro club California United Strikers FC and amateur club FC Arizona.

“We as an organization are Proud and excited to be participating in such a prestigious league as NISA,” technical director head coach Carlos Adrian Gaitan. “We look forward to ways and avenues for us to create opportunities for our players to connect with our community here in Phoenix. We will continue to work hard to grow our club fan base.”

Valley United will represent NISA’s first Latino-owned club. Along with Gaitan, the front office includes CEO Troy Pearce, vice president Marcelo Piana, sporting director Yuvall Raichman, general ,anager Roman Rubio and director of communications and community outreach Mary D. Rivera.

The club will play at Grand Canyon University Stadium, which has a capacity of 6,000.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.