Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is a North American professional indoor soccer league. The MASL features teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico.
Founded | May 18, 2008 |
---|---|
Country | United States (11 teams) |
Other club(s) from | Mexico (2 teams) |
Confederation | Confederación Panamericana de Minifutbol (CPM) |
Number of teams | 13 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open |
Current champions | Chihuahua Savage |
Most championships | San Diego Sockers (6) |
TV partners | Twitch[1] |
Website | maslsoccer.com |
Current: 2022–23 season |
MASL is the highest level of arena soccer in North America.[2] MASL players generally earn salaries ranging from $15,000–45,000 per season, but former USMNT and MLS star Landon Donovan earned as much as $250,000 to play one year in 2019.[3][4]
History
The league was organized as the Professional Arena Soccer League on May 18, 2008, as an offshoot of the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL-Premier), the largest amateur league in the United States. The league was originally nicknamed "PASL-Pro" to distinguish it from PASL-Premier.[5] The first league game was played on October 25, 2008, in front of a crowd of 3,239 at the Stockton Arena, in Stockton, California, with the California Cougars defeating the Colorado Lightning 10–5.[6] In 2011, it was announced the professional league would officially be referred to as simply PASL, while the amateur league would still be referred to as the PASL-Premier.[7]
On March 17, 2014, one day after the 2013–2014 Major Indoor Soccer League Championship finale, United Soccer Leagues President Tim Holt announced "a number" of teams would not be returning to MISL the following year.[8] In April 2014 it was officially announced that six teams (Baltimore Blast, Milwaukee Wave, Missouri Comets, Rochester Lancers, St. Louis Ambush, and Syracuse Silver Knights) joined PASL for the 2014–2015 season. [9][10]
The league announced a change in its name from the Professional Arena Soccer League to the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) on May 18, 2014.[11][12] This represents a merging of the MISL and PASL names. MASL fielded 23 teams for the 2014–15 season.[11][13]
Split and re-merger into the MASL
In February 2016, the current owner of the Baltimore Blast, Ed Hale, announced his intentions to leave the MASL and form a new league, the Indoor Professional League.[14] Hale was later announced as the chairman of the league, and Sam Fantauzzo, former owner of the Rochester Lancers, was announced as the first commissioner of the league. The St. Louis Ambush, Baltimore Blast, and Harrisburg Heat announced plans to join, along with the expansion Florida Tropics SC.[15][16] In July 2016, the MASL was reformed as a new not for profit entity [501(c)6], a new entity separate from the previous MASL, LLC.
In August 2016, the new MASL announced that the Blast, Heat, and Ambush would return to the MASL while the Tropics would join the MASL as an expansion team.[17] This effectively ended the IPL split with the MASL.
In a repeat of the 2015-16 Newman Cup the Baltimore Blast would go on to once again defeat Soles de Sonora 2–1.
Launch of M2
In October 2017 it was officially announced the Major Arena Soccer League 2 (M2) would launch in December 2017. The M2 serves as the developmental league for the MASL. The initial lineup of this league consisted of former MASL clubs Chicago Mustangs, Waza Flo, the reserve teams for the Ontario Fury, San Diego Sockers, former PASL clubs, and new expansion teams.[18]
High-profile players
In the 2018–19 season, the MASL saw an influx of players to the arena game with past MLS experience,[19] headlined by the additions of Landon Donovan to the San Diego Sockers, Jermaine Jones to the Ontario Fury, and Dwayne De Rosario with the Mississauga MetroStars.
End of the 2019–20 season
Like many sports leagues, the MASL ended its regular 2019–20 season early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] In May, the league announced that it was looking at conducting its playoffs in a centralized location.[21] However, this did not take place, and the remainder of the season was cancelled.[22]
Formation of the Major Arena Soccer League 3
On July 20, 2020, the MASL launched a new semi-professional/amateur developmental league known as M3 (Major Arena Soccer League 3) set to kick off in 2021.[23][24][25] The anticipated conferences expected to play were to be in the North East, Mid-Atlantic, South East, Great Lakes, Central North, Central South, Heartland Conference, Mountain North, Mountain South, Southwest, Pacific North, and Pacific South regions. The Omaha Kings FC, Sunflower State FC, Grand Rapids Wanderers FC and Muskegon Risers SC were announced as the first members of the league.[26] However, the Risers were dropped from M3 and replaced by the Springfield Demize and Wichita Wings 2. The league launched their new website on January 30, 2017.[27]
Teams
- Notes
a – Suspended operations following the 2019–20 season due to COVID-19, and rejoined the league for the 2021–22 season.
b – Chihuahua joined the M2 for the 2019–20 season and then suspended operations following the season due to COVID-19. Originally planned to rejoin the M2 for the 2021–22 season, the MASL membership of the Soles de Sonora was transferred to the Savage instead.[30][31]
c – Dallas suspended operations following the 2016–17 season; they rejoined the league for the 2018–19 season.
d – Mesquite suspended operations following the 2019–20 season due to COVID-19, they rejoined the league for the 2022–23 season.
e – Monterrey suspended operations following the 2014–15 season; they rejoined the league for the 2017–18 season. Monterrey suspended operations following the 2019–20 season due to COVID-19, they rejoined the league for the 2022–23 season.
f – Tacoma moved down to the PASL-Premier for the 2013–14 season, played in the WISL in the 2014–15 season and then rejoined the MASL near the end of the 2014–15 season (in 2015) replacing the Seattle Impact.
Champions
North American Finals
Season | Champions | Score | Runner-Up | Playoffs / Host |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 | Stockton Cougars | 13–5 | 1790 Cincinnati | Stockton, California |
2009–10 | San Diego Sockers | 9–8 | La Raza de Guadalajara | San Diego, California |
2010–11 | San Diego Sockers | 10–6 | La Raza de Guadalajara | Cincinnati, Ohio |
Ron Newman Cup
Season | Champions | Score(s) | Runner-Up | Playoffs / Host |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | San Diego Sockers | 10–7 | Detroit Waza Flo | San Diego, California |
2012–13 | San Diego Sockers | 8–6 | Detroit Waza Flo | San Diego, California |
2013–14 | Chicago Mustangs | 14–5 | Hidalgo La Fiera | Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
2014–15 | Monterrey Flash | 6–4 (OT), 4–6, 4–3 (OT) | Baltimore Blast | Monterrey, N.L., México (2-game series with mini-game tiebreaker) |
2015–16 | Baltimore Blast | 7–4, 14–13 (OT) | Soles de Sonora | Hermosillo, Son., México (2-game series with mini-game tiebreaker) |
2016–17 | Baltimore Blast | 2–4, 9–8 (OT), 1–0 | Soles de Sonora | Hermosillo, Son., México (2-game series with mini-game tiebreaker) |
2017–18 | Baltimore Blast | 4–3 | Monterrey Flash | Monterrey, N.L., México |
2018–19 | Milwaukee Wave | 5–2 | Monterrey Flash | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
2019–20 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
2021 | San Diego Sockers | 7–3, 5–6 (OT), 2–1 | Ontario Fury | Ontario, California (2-game series with mini-game tiebreaker) |
2021–22 | San Diego Sockers | 6–3, 4–3 | Florida Tropics SC | San Diego, California (2-game series with mini-game tiebreaker) |
2022-23 | Chihuahua Savage | 7-6, 10-6 | Baltimore Blast | Chihuahua,Chih., México |
Attendance
Season | Games | Total | Average | Playoffs | Games | Total | Average | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 | 58 | 76,888 | 1,326a | 2009 | ||||
2009–10 | 87 | 58,801 | 676b | 2010 | ||||
2010–11 | 84 | 59,128 | 704c | 2011 | ||||
2011–12 | 96 | 63,003 | 656 | 2012 | 6 | 7,211 | 1,201 | [32][33] |
2012–13 | 151 | 146,193 | 968 | 2013 | 11 | 19,006 | 1,727 | [34][35] |
2013–14 | 159 | 214,552 | 1,349 | 2014 | 10 | 23,889 | 2,388 | [36][37] |
2014–15 | 223 | 546,705 | 2,451 | 2015 | 19 | 88,513 | 4,658 | [38][39] |
2015–16 | 198 | 480,019 | 2,424 | 2016 | 24 | 93,004 | 3,876 | [40][41] |
2016–17 | 170 | 474,809 | 2,793 | 2017 | 19 | 61,196 | 3,221 | [42] |
2017–18 | 176 | 446,913 | 2,539 | 2018 | 12 | 49,198 | 4,100 | [43] |
2018–19 | 204 | 462,670 | 2,268 | 2019 | 12 | 41,756 | 3,480 | [44][45] |
2019–20 | 179 | 454,670 | 2,540 | 2020 | [46] | |||
2021 | 17 | 19,519 | 1,148d | 2021 | 5 | 7,311 | 1,462d | |
2021–22 | 143 | 264,448 | 1,849e | 2022 | 18 | 24,218 | 1,345e | [47][48] |
2022–23 | 168 | 364,822 | 2,172 | 2023 | 20 | 33,311 | 1,851f | [49] |
- Notes
a – Does not include 28 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2008–09 regular season consisted of 86 games total.
b – Does not include 8 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2009–10 regular season consisted of 95 games total.
c – Does not include 10 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2010–11 regular season consisted of 94 games total.
d – Due to COVID-19 only 17 out of 41 games this season where attendance was recorded. In the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs only 5 out 14 games recorded attendance.
e – Does not include 2 regular season games where attendance was not reported; the MASL 2021–22 regular season consisted of 141 games total. Does not include 5 playoff games where attendance was not reported; the 2022 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs consisted of 18 games total.
f – Does not include 2 playoff matches in which attendance was not reported. The 2023 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs consisted of 20 games total.
Sponsorship
The official game ball was made by Puma SE through the 2016–17 season. Starting in the 2017–18 season, Mitre became the official ball sponsor of both the MASL and M2.[50][51]
Broadcast rights
Select 2018-2019 MASL matches were broadcast on Eleven Sports Network in the United States.[52] Some matches are also broadcast regionally throughout the United States.[53] All matches since 2016–2017 season are archived on MASLtv, the MASL's YouTube Channel
Staff
Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Shep Messing – Chairman
JP Dellacamera – President of Communications/Media
Lindsay Mogle – Director of Communications/Team Services
Jon Ramin – Vice-President of Operations
Werner Roth – Advisor
Dennis Fry – Chief Financial Officer
Ken Stanley – Content Director
Ryan Cigich - Head of MASL Officials
Jesse Meehan - Operations Manager[54][55]
Pete Richmire – League Statistician, Social Media
Óscar Sánchez – Spanish Content Manager
Phil Lavanco – Video Production Manager
Executive committee
Lane Smith (Tacoma) – President
Bernie Lilavois (Empire) – Vice-President
Shelly Clark (St. Louis) – Secretary
Phil Salvagio (San Diego) – Treasurer
Mike Zimmerman (Milwaukee) – Member-at-Large
Former/defunct teams
References
- "News: MASL ON TWITCH - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- "Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) | Iowa Soccer".
- "Source: Donovan to make $250,000 by joining arena league side". 24 January 2019.
- Eric Kahmert (February 15, 2019). "San Diego professional athletes with side jobs to make ends meet". www.cbs8.com. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- "PASL-Pro Wraps Up Owners Meetings in Las Vegas". Professional Arena Soccer League. May 18, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- "Cougars Win Inaugural PASL-Pro Game 10–5 over Lightning". Professional Arena Soccer League. October 26, 2008. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- "PASL Announces 2011/12 Schedule, Playoff Format, Sleeker Nickname". Our Sports Central. October 17, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- Holt, Tim (March 17, 2014). "MISL Statement". Major Indoor Soccer League. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- Husted, Jeffrey (April 12, 2014). "Comets Enter Partnershipto Create New Indoor Soccer League". Missouri Comets.
- "on Pointstreak Sports Technologies". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- Marshall, Raymond (May 18, 2014). "PASL Becomes MASL". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- "Syracuse Silver Knights' new indoor soccer league expected to kick off with 24 teams". syracuse. 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL Announces Alignment, Launches New Website". MASL. July 29, 2014. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- Graham, Glenn (February 18, 2016). "Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale plans to remove team from MASL, form new league". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD: Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- Florida Tropics SC on Facebook Watch, retrieved 2020-06-18
- Graham, Glenn. "Blast owner Ed Hale launches Indoor Professional League; eight to 10 teams to start play in November". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE EXPANDS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE". MASL. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- http://www.9news.com/sports/us-mens-arena-soccer-team-takes-on-mexico-in-denver/477964046
- "From MLS to MASL - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE TO END REGULAR SEASON EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "Statement on 2019-20 season". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL officially announces decision to conclude 2019-20 season".
- "MASL ANNOUNCES MASL III, NEXT TIER IN ARENA SOCCER PYRAMID". maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- "M3". maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- "MASL Launches Third Tier in Area Soccer Pyramid, MASL3". oursportscentral.com. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
- "OMAHA KINGS FC JOIN MASL 3". omahakingsfc.com. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- "WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE". masl3.com. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
- "WE ARE THE EMPIRE STRYKERS 🏴 #WeAreEmpire #BewareTheEmpire #AnEmpireStrykingBack | By Ontario Fury | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- "PASL Coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena". PASL. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- "2019-20 Regular Season MASL 2 Champions Set to Return for 2021–2022 Season". M2. April 8, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- "MASL WELCOMES THE CHIHUAHUA SAVAGE". MASL. July 13, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE". Point Streak. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "ATTENDANCE". MASL. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- "MASL Announces Long-Term Partnership With Mitre". Harrisburg Heat. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL ANNOUNCES LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH MITRE - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL ANNOUNCES TELEVISION PARTNERSHIP WITH ELEVEN SPORTS FOR NATIONAL BROADCASTS - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL EXPANDS REACH WITH REGIONAL BROADCAST ANNOUNCEMENTS - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- "MASL Wraps Successful Owners Meetings in Ontario". Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- "MASL ADDS STAFF PRIOR TO 2019-2020 SEASON". www.maslsoccer.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- Marroquin, Art (June 14, 2013). "Pro indoor soccer team bolts from Anaheim". The Orange County Register. Santa Ana, California. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- "Anaheim Bolts Suspend Operations for 2013–14". Professional Arena Soccer League. May 28, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- "PASL Welcomes the Chicago Mustangs". PASL. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
- "News: FLORIDA TROPICS TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS - Major Arena Soccer League". www.maslsoccer.com. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- Silva, Dennis II (July 2, 2013). "RGV's arena soccer team gets new owner, look". The Monitor. McAllen, Texas. p. C1. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
- "PASL Sets 2012/13 Alignment With the Addition of Rio Grande Valley Flash". PASL. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- "PASL Announces Slate, Alignment for Fifth Season". PASL. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- "PASL Announces 2012–13 Schedule, Divisional Alignment". Soccer Scene USA. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- "Professional Arena Soccer League Coming to Laredo Energy Arena". PASL. April 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- "Louisville Lightning soccer team will sit out 2012–13 season". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- Warner, Adam (March 14, 2013). "Q&A with Ted Nichols: A fire in his belly for soccer at all levels". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- "PASL, Texas Strikers Coming to Ford Arena" (Press release). PASL. September 26, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- "Oxford City FC Acquires the Texas Strikers in the MASL". Oxford City FC of Texas. July 23, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- Bullock, Michael (July 12, 2013). "Richard Chinapoo and Gino DiFlorio agree to return as the Harrisburg Heat coaching staff remains intact". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- "Tulsa Revolution Officially Introduced to Local Media" (Press release). PASL. January 25, 2013. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- "Wichita's New Soccer Team To Be Called The B-52s". Wichita, Kansas: KAKE. August 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
- "Local business owner unveils plan to keep professional indoor soccer in Wichita". PASL. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.