Connecticut has been named as one of eight markets that submitted applications to host a franchise in the startup National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).

The new professional league has announced plans to launch next year and is seeking sanctioning a Division III league from US Soccer. In a press statement, NISA noted that the prospective markets seeking a franchise “represents the markets where investors are in the most advanced stages of discussion with the league.”

NISA did not name the Connecticut investors who were in pursuit of a franchise, nor did it identify where in the state a new team would be based. The other markets joining Connecticut for NISA consideration are Charlotte, Chattanooga, Miami, Milwaukee, Omaha, Phoenix and St. Louis.