CHICAGO - With co-founder Peter Wilt leaving the organization, it finally appears that the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) is well and truly in a relegation battle as the fledgling league attempts to avoid dropping even further in the US Soccer pyramid.

The arrows indicate the trajectory of the league as they teter on the brink of relegation.

“When you don’t start right, and don’t get the grip of it, then you end up in trouble,” stated NISA co-founder Jack Cummins. "Emotions are up and down after a tough afternoon. I feel for everybody connected with the league."

After a barnstorming start that seemed to indicate their ability to survive and thrive in the upper divisions of the Soccer pyramid, the NISA started to suffer a number of public defeats that rattled the confidence of the players. Eventually the league slumped into a relegation position, unable to find a way out of their predicament.

"Peter leaving means that there are other opportunities to step up," stated one NISA insider who was the only person answering any phones on Thursday morning. "We fully anticipate eventually being able to change the past tense language on our website after we gain promotion from defunct league to possible league in a few years. Our promotion party will be amazing, probably."

"WAS and PLANNED? Not a good look, everyone."

The Nutmeg News will have more on this as fans attempt to figure out if balloon payments will hinder the NISA from trying to gain promotion.