Over the past year and a half, I worked to build the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), a lower-tier league that would incorporate promotion and relegation in the United States. We made significant progress, but the time has come for me to pass the torch for the NISA and open-system pro soccer in America. An open system is not the only way for professional soccer to succeed in America, but I continue to believe it is an attractive model that needs to be tried in a serious and thoughtful manner. And my experience trying to launch NISA shows glimpses of the promise and pitfalls of implementation.



First, why do I believe so strongly in the need for promotion and relegation?



As a fan of Fulham—I’ve been a supporter of the Cottagers since Carlos Bocanegra moved on a free transfer from my Chicago Fire on January 1, 2004—I’ve experienced the agony of relegation. I’ve also experienced the hopefulness of a promotion battle. I began...