NISA Independent Cup Update
It took a few months, but Milwaukee Torrent have clarified their stance on the NISA Independent Cup which they won (by default). The default cost the club a game for which tickets had been sold, a sequence which left the club feeling aggrieved and a lingering impression of a mess behind the scenes.
Torrent offered three dates for the final at the club’s home pitch of Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI and NISA were ultimately responsible for the decision to award hosting of the final to Milwaukee but Inter Detroit took the forfeit.
There was active communication between Torrent and Inter with NISA as intermediaries which began with the league asking the Wisconsin club a finite question about the date and location of the final, with an implication that they would be hosting. The league then countered that the date offered (Wednesday July 31st) was unsuitable because of the long road trip, but that the following weekend might work. Torrent had an existing (and long planned) date for the inaugural Wisconsin Cup Final on that Saturday evening and that was repeated when Inter came to the table with a suggested 1pm Saturday kickoff. Only hours after the 1pm kickoff was suggested, Inter withdrew from the competition.
What of their accusations? They claimed that they “were not given a fair opportunity to host”. NISA named Torrent hosts as it traveled to Inter for the 2023 tournament. On Torrent’s part, they firmly believe that Hart Park was the best venue available.
They added that they were “forced to accommodate” Torrent’s schedule, but as outlined above, repeated attempts were made to accommodate the travelling side. There is a complaint of the length of travel, but that appears to be torpedoed by the 1pm kick off suggested above.
Lastly, Inter suggest that 90% of their roster would have left for college, but their situation is mirrored across the amateur soccer landscape, including in Wauwatosa.
Torrent, for what it’s worth, lost the Wisconsin Cup Final by a Mally Lumsden goal to Superior City FC.