[1] After the Crusaders were eliminated from the playoffs, Nelson joined the Boston Bulldogs of the USL A-League for three games, allowing only one goal.

With that in hand, Nelson returned to the United States and joined the Portland Timbers but was released a month later.

The Mariners folded at the end of the 2006 season and Nelson signed with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division in 2007.

He also had the league's second best goals-against-average at 0.611 and was selected to the USL-2 All-League Second Team while backstopping the Islanders to the USL Second Division championship.

Against the Red Bulls Nelson kept a clean sheet and made seven saves which helped send Palace through to the quarter finals of the competition against the New England Revolution.

Palace released Nelson from his contract on July 18, 2008, and he was reacquired by the Harrisburg City Islanders for the remainder of the 2008 season.