# Major Arena Soccer League

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is a professional indoor soccer league in North America. The MASL features teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The league is the highest level of arena soccer in North America. The league draws talent from a global talent pool with players from Major League Soccer (MLS), Liga MX, and many national teams. With a new management team, the league has grown in popularity and commercially. Former USMNT and MLS star Landon Donovan played in MASL as do multiple international players.

## 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. The first league game was played on October 25, 2008, in front of a crowd of 3,239 at Stockton Arena, in Stockton, California, with the California Cougars defeating the Colorado Lightning 10–5. 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.
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. 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.
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. This represents a merging of the MISL and PASL names. MASL fielded 23 teams for the 2014–15 season.

### 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. 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. 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. 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 MASL 2

In October 2017 it was officially announced the Major Arena Soccer League 2 (MASL 2) would launch in December 2017. MASL 2 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.

### High-profile players

In the 2018–19 season, the MASL saw an influx of players to the arena game with past MLS experience, 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. The Empire Strykers signed Marco Fabián to the second-largest contract in league history in December 2023 in an attempt to lure more professional players to the league.

### 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. In May, the league announced that it was looking at conducting its playoffs in a centralized location. However, this did not take place, and the remainder of the season was cancelled.

### Formation of the Major Arena Soccer League 3

On July 20, 2020, the MASL launched a new semi-professional/amateur developmental league known as MASL 3 (Major Arena Soccer League 3) set to kick off in 2021. 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. 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.

### Formation of the Major Arena Soccer League Women (2024)

On September 3, 2024, the MASL launched a new women's league known as MASL W (Major Arena Soccer League Women) set to kick off in 2024.

## Teams

Overview of Major Arena Soccer League teams :
| Team | City/State | Arena | Arena Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head coach | M2 Affiliate |
| Baltimore Blast | Towson, Maryland | TU Arena | 3,580 | 1992 | 2014 2021$^a$ | David Bascome | Baltimore Arsenal |
| Chihuahua Savage | Chihuahua, Chihuahua | Arena Corner Sport | 2,500 | 2019 | 2021$^b$ | Everardo Sánchez | Chihuahua Savage II |
| Dallas Sidekicks | Allen, Texas | Credit Union of Texas Event Center | 6,006 | 2012 | 2014 2018$^c$ | Terry Woodberry | |
| Empire Strykers | Ontario, California | Toyota Arena | 9,736 | 2013 | 2013 | Paul Wright | Empire Jets |
| Harrisburg Heat | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Equine Arena at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Equine Arena | 1,660 | 2012 | 2012 2021$^a$ | Pat Healey | |
| Kansas City Comets | Independence, Missouri | Cable Dahmer Arena | 5,800 | 2010 | 2014 | Stefan Stokic | Iowa Raptors |
| Milwaukee Wave | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena | 9,500 | 1984 | 2014 2021$^a$ | Giuliano Oliviero | Muskegon Risers SC |
| San Diego Sockers | Oceanside, California | Frontwave Arena | 7,500 | 2009 | 2009 | Phil Salvagio | San Diego Sockers 2 |
| St. Louis Ambush | St. Charles, Missouri | Family Arena | 9,643 | 2013 | 2014 | Jeff Locker | St. Louis Ambush II |
| Tacoma Stars | Kent, Washington | accesso ShoWare Center | 7,141 | 2003 | 2010 2015$^f$ | Adam Becker | Tacoma Stars Reserves (WISL) |
| Texas Outlaws | Mesquite, Texas | Mesquite Arena | 7,000 | 2019 | 2019 2022$^d$ | Ed Puskarich | |
| Utica City FC | Utica, New York | Adirondack Bank Center | 3,860 | 2010 | 2014 2021$^a$ | Hewerton Moriera | United Elite Krajisnik FC |
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. $^c$ – 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.

### Teams on Hiatus

| Team | City/State | Arena | Arena Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head coach | M2 Affiliate |
| Monterrey Flash | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Arena Borregos | 3,500 | 2013 | 2013 2022$^e$ | Mariano Bollella | RGV Barracudas FC |

## Champions

North American Finals champions :
| 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 champions :
| 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 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | 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, Chihuahua, México |
| 2023–24 | Chihuahua Savage | 4–3, 5–4 | Kansas City Comets | Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México |

## Attendance

Attendance by season for the Major Arena Soccer League :
| Season | Games | Total | Average | Playoffs | Games | Total | Average |
| 2008–09 | 58* | 76,888 | 1,326 | 2009 | | | |
| 2009–10 | 87† | 58,801 | 676 | 2010 | | | |
| 2010–11 | 84‡ | 59,128 | 704 | 2011 | | | |
| 2011–12 | 96 | 63,003 | 656 | 2012 | 6 | 7,211 | 1,201 |
| 2012–13 | 151 | 146,193 | 968 | 2013 | 11 | 19,006 | 1,727 |
| 2013–14 | 159 | 214,552 | 1,349 | 2014 | 10 | 23,889 | 2,388 |
| 2014–15 | 223 | 546,705 | 2,451 | 2015 | 19 | 88,513 | 4,658 |
| 2015–16 | 198 | 480,019 | 2,424 | 2016 | 24 | 93,004 | 3,876 |
| 2016–17 | 170 | 474,809 | 2,793 | 2017 | 19 | 61,196 | 3,221 |
| 2017–18 | 176 | 446,913 | 2,539 | 2018 | 12 | 49,198 | 4,100 |
| 2018–19 | 204 | 462,670 | 2,268 | 2019 | 12 | 41,756 | 3,480 |
| 2019–20 | 179 | 454,670 | 2,540 | 2020 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 17$^•$ | 19,519 | 1,148 | 2021 | 5$^•$ | 7,311 | 1,462 |
| 2021–22 | 143$^¶$ | 264,448 | 1,849 | 2022 | 18$^¶$ | 24,218 | 1,345 |
| 2022–23 | 168 | 364,822 | 2,172 | 2023 | 20$^#$ | 33,311 | 1,851 |
| 2023–24 | 156 | 334,987 | 2,147 | 2024 | 16$^#$ | 15,282 | 955 |
| $^*$ Does not include 28 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2008–09 regular season consisted of 86 games total. |||||||||
| $^†$ Does not include 8 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2009–10 regular season consisted of 95 games total. |||||||||
| $^‡$ Does not include 10 games where attendance was not reported. The PASL 2010–11 regular season consisted of 94 games total. |||||||||
| $^•$ 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. |||||||||
| $^¶$ 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. |||||||||
| $^#$ Does not include 2 playoff matches in which attendance was not reported. |||||||||

## 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.

### Broadcast rights

Select 2018–2019 MASL matches were broadcast on Eleven Sports Network in the United States. Some matches are also broadcast regionally throughout the United States. All matches since 2016–2017 season are archived on MASLtv, the MASL's YouTube Channel
For the 2022-23 Season, MASL announced broadcast partnerships with Amazon / Twitch, CanelaTV (Spanish) and AtmosphereTV.
With broadcast partnerships driving viewership, the league was recognized for its fast growing fan base and engage viewers.
At the start of the 2024-25 season MASL announced that they would partner with CBS Golazo network which premiered 40 games in their first full season.

## Staff
### Commissioner

Keith Tozer

### 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 Pete Richmire – League Statistician Óscar Sánchez – Spanish Content Manager Phil Lavanco – Video Production Manager Jack Williams – Social Media 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

Former Major Arena Soccer League teams :
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Years Played |
| Atletico Baja | Tijuana, Baja California | Unidad Deportiva Tijuana | 2015–17 |
| Anaheim Bolts | Anaheim, California | Anaheim Convention Center | 2011–13 |
| Arizona Storm | Glendale, Arizona | Phoenix Sports Centre/Arizona Sports Complex | 2011–13 |
| Bay Area Rosal | Livermore, California | Cabernet Indoor Sports | 2013–14 |
| Calgary United FC | Calgary, Alberta | Stampede Corral/Calgary Soccer Centre | 2008–11 |
| California Cougars | Stockton, California | Stockton Arena | 2008–11 (as Stockton Cougars 2008–09) |
| Cedar Rapids Rampage | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | U.S. Cellular Center | 2015–18 |
| Chicago Mustangs | Hoffman Estates, Illinois | Sears Centre | 2012–17 |
| Cincinnati Kings | Cincinnati, Ohio | Cincinnati Gardens/GameTime Training Center | 2008–13 (as 1790 Cincinnati 2008–10) |
| Cincinnati Saints | Cincinnati, Ohio | Tri-County Soccerplex | 2013–14 |
| Cleveland Freeze | North Olmsted, Ohio | Soccer Sportsplex | 2013–14 |
| Colorado Lightning | Fort Collins, Colorado | Budweiser Events Center | 2008–09 |
| Denver Dynamite | Denver, Colorado | Denver Sports Center/Parker Fieldhouse/Denver Bladium | 2008–10 |
| Edmonton Drillers | Edmonton, Alberta | Servus Centre/Edmonton Soccer Centre South | 2008–11 |
| El Paso Coyotes | El Paso, Texas | El Paso County Coliseum | 2016–19 |
| Florida Tropics SC | Lakeland, Florida | RP Funding Center | 2016–22 |
| Hartford City FC | Hartford, Connecticut | XL Center | Never Played |
| Hidalgo La Fiera | Hidalgo, Texas | State Farm Arena | 2012–14 (as Rio Grande Valley Flash 2012–13) |
| Illinois Piasa | Pontoon Beach, Illinois | Soccer For Fun Arena/The Sports Academy/The Field Sports Complex | 2010–14 |
| Kansas Magic | Overland Park, Kansas | EPIC Indoor Sports Center | 2011–12 |
| Kitsap Pumas | Bremerton, Washington | Olympic Soccer & Sports Center | 2010–11 |
| Laredo Honey Badgers | Laredo, Texas | Laredo Energy Arena | Never Played |
| Las Vegas Legends | Las Vegas, Nevada | Orleans Arena/Las Vegas Sports Park | 2012–16 |
| Louisville Lightning | Louisville, Kentucky | Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club | 2009–12 |
| Mississauga MetroStars | Mississauga, Ontario | Paramount Fine Foods Centre | 2018-19 |
| Ohio Vortex | Canton, Ohio | Cleveland Metroplex Events Center/Canton Memorial Civic Center/Gameday Sports Center/Pinnacle Sports Complex | 2009–13 |
| Omaha Vipers | Omaha, Nebraska | Omaha Civic Auditorium | Never Played |
| Orlando SeaWolves | Kissimmee, Florida | Silver Spurs Arena | 2018–2020 |
| Oxford City FC of Texas | Beaumont, Texas | Ford Arena | 2012–15 (as Texas Strikers 2012–14) |
| Prince George Fury | Prince George, British Columbia | CN Centre | 2009–10 |
| Real Phoenix | Glendale, Arizona | Barney Family Sports Complex/Arizona Sports Complex | 2012–13 |
| RGV Barracudas FC | Hidalgo, Texas | State Farm Hidalgo Arena | 2014–16, 2017–19 |
| Rochester Lancers | Henrietta, New York | The Dome Center | 2014–15, 2019–20 |
| Rockford Rampage | Rockford, Illinois | Victory Sports Complex | 2012–13 |
| Sacramento Surge | Sacramento, California | Off the Wall Soccer Arena/Estadio Azteca Soccer Arena/McClellan Park | 2012–16 |
| St. Louis Illusion | Glen Carbon, Illinois | The Game Arena/Dellwood Indoor Soccer Arena | 2008–10 |
| Saltillo Rancho Seco | Saltillo, Coahuila | Autonomous University of Coahuila/Deportivo Rancho Seco | 2013−16 |
| Saskatoon Accelerators | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Credit Union Centre/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre | 2008–10 |
| Seattle Impact | Kent, Washington | ShoWare Center | 2014–15 |
| Soles de Sonora | Hermosillo, Sonora | El Centro de Usos Múltiples | 2015–20 |
| Springfield Demize | Springfield, Missouri | Lake Country Soccer | 2010–11 |
| Texas Outlaws | North Richland Hills, Texas | NYTEX Sports Centre/Arena Athletics/TCG Arena | 2008–10 |
| Toros Mexico | Tijuana, Baja California | Arena Furati/Parque UniSantos | 2010–14 (as Revolución Tijuana 2010–12) |
| Tucson Extreme | Tucson, Arizona | Tucson Convention Center | Never Played |
| Tulsa Revolution | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Cox Business Center/Expo Square Pavilion | 2013–15 |
| Turlock Cal Express | Turlock, California | Turlock Soccer Center | 2011–20 (as Turlock Express 2011–19) |
| Waza Flo | Flint, Michigan | Compuware Arena/Taylor Sportsplex/Melvindale Ice Arena/Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center | 2008–16 (as Detroit Waza Flo 2008–15) |
| Wenatchee Fire | Wenatchee, Washington | Wenatchee Valley Sportsplex | 2008–09, 2010–11 |
| Wichita B-52s | Wichita, Kansas | Hartman Arena | 2013–15 |
| Winnipeg Alliance | Winnipeg, Manitoba | MTS Centre/Garden City Soccer Complex | 2009–11 |
| Youngstown Nighthawks | Youngstown, Ohio | Covelli Centre | Never played |