Following an application in late July 2020, Maryland Bobcats FC was admitted into the National Independent Soccer Association on October 13, 2020.
[5] On March 24, 2021, former Nigeria women's national football team manager Samuel Okpodu was named head coach for 2021.
[43] The regional tournament acted as both a pre-season and chance to "provide a platform for professional and amateur independent clubs to play together on a national stage."
The Spring Season schedule was announced on March 18 with each association member playing eight games, four home and four away, in a single round-robin format.
Source: Match reports As a team playing in a recognized professional league, Maryland would normally be automatically qualified for the U.S. Open Cup.