About
Northern Illinois Soccer League is a competitive youth soccer league that includes activities such as National Premier League competition, the NISL Club & Conference Final Four, and the U-16/17 NPL Indoor League. The program also runs a U23 Summer League and organizes events including the Chicagoland College Showcase and the Midwest Select Games, along with participation in the NPL Finals and National Cup Finals.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Northern Illinois Soccer League was founded in 1975 and describes itself as one of the largest and most elite soccer leagues in the United States, with a history of serving communities in the Chicagoland area for over 49 years. It is a competitive youth soccer league for boys and girls ages U8 through U19 and is owned and operated by Northern Independent Soccer League. The league states that it provides the day-to-day organizational structure for more than 1,000 teams in over 97 Chicago area communities and is described as one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the state of Illinois. In different passages, membership is described as 18,000 players from over 1,200 teams across 170+ individual clubs and also as 15,000 players from over 1,000 teams across 110+ individual clubs.
The mission of Northern Illinois Soccer League states that all soccer-related decisions should be made with the player in mind and that it is interested in the development of youth soccer, not the politics. The mission further states that the office staff consists of players and coaches who focus on the development of players at various levels and on providing a competitive and equal playing field, and that the league is governed by simple administrative procedures to provide players, teams, and clubs flexibility in the player development process. The mission also states that the NISL will create, develop, and foster the growth of club and community soccer programs throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding states.
The league describes itself as providing an environment that is fun, safe, and supportive, which nurtures and guides children to develop their talents, knowledge, and appreciation for the game of soccer. It states that it provides equal opportunity to all soccer players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in youth soccer competitions, and that it provides equal opportunity to all soccer players to participate in a competitive soccer environment that encourages good sportsmanship, principles of fair play, and the building of good character. The league also states that it provides leagues and divisions so all soccer players can reach their highest level of competition and that its Premier League is the standard of excellence in the region.
Northern Illinois Soccer League is a member of US Soccer and an affiliate of US Club Soccer. Participation is governed by the rules adopted by FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation, except where modified, and all competition in leagues and divisions affiliated with the NISL is governed by regulations approved by the NISL and the league office. The league notes early adoption of forward-thinking methodologies, including player movement and small-sided games, and describes its environment as one where clubs have the freedom to be all that they can be. It also states that it has a reputation for creating the greatest possible competitive environment and uses a Team Ranking System, in cooperation with Directors of Coaching, for placing teams. The NISL is aligned with US Soccer on the “US Soccer Connect” registration platform, and US Soccer has provided the NISL with the opportunity to start Coaching Education programs.
The leadership team includes General Manager Brendan Eitz; Vice President of Strategic Growth and Development Matt Reiswerg; and Director of Operations Philip Richardson. Brendan Eitz also serves as National Premier League Director, U23 PSL-NISL Manager, US Club Soccer Liaison, Midwest Select Games Manager, and Chicagoland College Showcase lead, and is involved with player development and id2 events and league standards. Matt Reiswerg is responsible for NISL club membership, NISL strategic vision and expansion, competitions and the NISL pathway, GotSport liaison duties, staffing, and league standards. Addison Walters handles Spanish-speaking customer service, GotSport roster approvals, player transfers, coaching and player passes, background checks, Safesport, red cards and the disciplinary process, U23 PSL-NISL administration, club conference and NPL registration, game change requests, rainouts, missing scores, and general league questions. Philip Richardson manages team invoices and payment plans, club conference operations, serves as club conference mediator, and oversees referee payroll and arbiter referee liaison duties. Jesus Vargas manages the NISL website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and serves as NPL Supervisor at Olympic Park and NPL referee coordinator. Joe Pietrini is listed as a sales executive at Capelli Sport.
Last updated May 27, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Northern Illinois Soccer League was founded in 1975 and describes itself as one of the largest and most elite soccer leagues in the United States, with a history of serving communities in the Chicagoland area for over 49 years. It is a competitive youth soccer league for boys and girls ages U8 through U19 and is owned and operated by Northern Independent Soccer League. The league states that it provides the day-to-day organizational structure for more than 1,000 teams in over 97 Chicago area communities and is described as one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the state of Illinois. In different passages, membership is described as 18,000 players from over 1,200 teams across 170+ individual clubs and also as 15,000 players from over 1,000 teams across 110+ individual clubs.
The mission of Northern Illinois Soccer League states that all soccer-related decisions should be made with the player in mind and that it is interested in the development of youth soccer, not the politics. The mission further states that the office staff consists of players and coaches who focus on the development of players at various levels and on providing a competitive and equal playing field, and that the league is governed by simple administrative procedures to provide players, teams, and clubs flexibility in the player development process. The mission also states that the NISL will create, develop, and foster the growth of club and community soccer programs throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding states.
The league describes itself as providing an environment that is fun, safe, and supportive, which nurtures and guides children to develop their talents, knowledge, and appreciation for the game of soccer. It states that it provides equal opportunity to all soccer players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in youth soccer competitions, and that it provides equal opportunity to all soccer players to participate in a competitive soccer environment that encourages good sportsmanship, principles of fair play, and the building of good character. The league also states that it provides leagues and divisions so all soccer players can reach their highest level of competition and that its Premier League is the standard of excellence in the region.
Northern Illinois Soccer League is a member of US Soccer and an affiliate of US Club Soccer. Participation is governed by the rules adopted by FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation, except where modified, and all competition in leagues and divisions affiliated with the NISL is governed by regulations approved by the NISL and the league office. The league notes early adoption of forward-thinking methodologies, including player movement and small-sided games, and describes its environment as one where clubs have the freedom to be all that they can be. It also states that it has a reputation for creating the greatest possible competitive environment and uses a Team Ranking System, in cooperation with Directors of Coaching, for placing teams. The NISL is aligned with US Soccer on the “US Soccer Connect” registration platform, and US Soccer has provided the NISL with the opportunity to start Coaching Education programs.
The leadership team includes General Manager Brendan Eitz; Vice President of Strategic Growth and Development Matt Reiswerg; and Director of Operations Philip Richardson. Brendan Eitz also serves as National Premier League Director, U23 PSL-NISL Manager, US Club Soccer Liaison, Midwest Select Games Manager, and Chicagoland College Showcase lead, and is involved with player development and id2 events and league standards. Matt Reiswerg is responsible for NISL club membership, NISL strategic vision and expansion, competitions and the NISL pathway, GotSport liaison duties, staffing, and league standards. Addison Walters handles Spanish-speaking customer service, GotSport roster approvals, player transfers, coaching and player passes, background checks, Safesport, red cards and the disciplinary process, U23 PSL-NISL administration, club conference and NPL registration, game change requests, rainouts, missing scores, and general league questions. Philip Richardson manages team invoices and payment plans, club conference operations, serves as club conference mediator, and oversees referee payroll and arbiter referee liaison duties. Jesus Vargas manages the NISL website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and serves as NPL Supervisor at Olympic Park and NPL referee coordinator. Joe Pietrini is listed as a sales executive at Capelli Sport.
Last updated May 27, 2026.
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