Nipun Chopra

Nipun divides his time between his two great loves - neuroscience and soccer. You can find him discussing both of those, as well as regular updates (pupdates) on his wonderful doggo, Octavia on Twitter. Get in touch with feedback/story suggestions at @NipunChopra7 or nipun.chopra@SocTakes.com
  • Breaking: NISA applies for D3 sanctioning

    Per an embargoed press release provided to Soc Takes, NISA applied for divisional sanctioning from the USSF on Friday, Aug. 31. The press release reads: “On Friday, August 31 the National Independent Soccer Association (“NISA”) formally petitioned the United States Soccer Federation for admission as a Men’s Division III...
  • NISA

    NISA to submit application for D3 sanctioning by Sept. 1

    Per a source close to NISA, the league will apply for Division 3 sanctioning for the fall 2019 season. The source informed Soc Takes and Midfield Press reporter, Chris Kivlehan, that due to the planned delay in the start of the season, the deadline for submitting the application to...
  • Harkes

    John Harkes expected to be Greenville Triumph SC’s first head coach

    Soc Takes understands that ex-USMNT international John Harkes is the current front-runner to be Greenville Triumph Soccer Club’s first head coach. Harkes has previously coached in the United Soccer League (USL) at FC Cincinnati — currently a D2 franchise — from 2016 to 2017. If confirmed, this would be Harkes’...
  • franchisor

    USL not meeting franchisor requirements in some states

    The United Soccer League (USL) has continued its expansion through successful D2 expansion as well as its soon-to-be-launched USLD3 division with a rumored 8-12 teams. However, lapses in franchise registration filings in a number of states may pose a problem for the league’s expansion hopes. Soc Takes has learned...
  • USL franchise fees: Shepard tone or sign of progress?

    Whether or not you’ve heard the term, you’ve experienced an example of Shepard tone. Think of the endless stairs in Super Mario 64 or even in the soundtrack of Christopher Nolan films. It is the (auditory) illusion of ascendancy; the feeling that the music is rising in scale, seemingly...
  • USLD3 expansion

    Possible USLD3 expansion to Chattanooga

    Soc Takes understands that an unidentified investor (see update for identity of the investor) has secured the USL territorial rights for Chattanooga. This new team will be unaffiliated with Chattanooga FC. Currently, Chattanooga FC operates in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) playing their homes games at Finley Stadium....
  • Indy Eleven - Jeff Belskus

    USL expansion fee increases

    Per information provided to Soc Takes, the initial franchise expansion fee for USL is now $7 million. This is an increase from their 2017 fee which was $5 million. This fee increase would apply to teams signing franchise agreements in 2018 and beyond, and would not affect recently announced...
  • Pogba

    Twinning: Pogba and Zidane in their mid-20s

    The career arcs of Zinedine Zidane and Paul Pogba are eerily similar. Both born to immigrant parents who eventually settled in Paris, both Pogba and Zidane had impoverished childhoods which possibly gave them the inner drive to succeed at the highest level. Both found football to be a canvas...
  • Group B preview

    2018 World Cup: Group B preview

    Who is in Group B? Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran. Who are the favorites to go through? Portugal and Spain are heavy favorites in this group. GROUP B TEAM PREVIEWS Portugal – The reigning European Champions possess a team full of recognized names such as defenders Pepe and Jose Fonte,...
  • Rocco Commisso - $500 million offer

    No runway, no $500 million

    As originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, New York Cosmos owner and de facto NASL leader Rocco Commisso had extended his “let’s talk about this” deadline to the USSF until May 31. On May 30, a letter from USSF secretary Dan Flynn was emailed to Commisso. U.S. Soccer provided...
  • NASL interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal

    Q&A with NASL interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal

    As revealed by Wes “Mantooth” Burdine of FiftyFive.One, the USSF decided to reject NASL’s application for Division II sanctioning last year. Since that time, lawsuits, injunctions and rejections have been the story of the North American Soccer League (NASL). As teams continued to exit the league and other leagues...
  • lower-division soccer - usl progress report

    ‘Too Small to Succeed’: The perils of owning a lower-division pro soccer team

    The lower divisions of American soccer are a tumultuous place. Whether it is the collapse of individual clubs, irresponsible behavior toward players or the death of an entire league, the stories of instability are as commonplace as a PBR at your local dive bar. Yet, there is one narrative...