MASL ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE AND DIVISION ALIGNMENTS FOR 2017-2018
KANSAS CITY (September 19, 2017) – The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) announced today the divisional and conference alignments for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. The MASL enters its fourth season with an eye towards further stability and long-term growth.
Over the last three seasons, the league has taken measures to stabilize and grow the league and heads into the 2017-2018 season with a roster of at least 24 teams in the MASL pyramid, including an expected 8-12 teams in the newly formed MASL2.
With many teams having already released dates for their respective home-openers, the full 2017-2018 MASL schedule is set to be released in the next week. The league will be split into an Eastern and Western Conference with two divisions in each conference.
The schedule will highlight both traditional and regional rivalries, putting more importance on each regular season victory.
| EASTERN CONFERENCE | |||
| Central Division | Eastern Division | ||
| Cedar Rapids Rampage | Baltimore Blast | ||
| Kansas City Comets | Florida Tropics | ||
| Milwaukee Wave | Harrisburg Heat | ||
| St Louis Ambush | Syracuse Silver Knights | ||
| WESTERN CONFERENCE | |||
| Pacific Division | Southwest Division | ||
| Ontario Fury | El Paso Coyotes | ||
| San Diego Sockers | Monterrey Flash | ||
| Tacoma Stars | RGV Barracudas | ||
| Turlock Express | Soles de Sonora | ||
The MASL is excited about the return of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Barracudas and Monterrey Flash to the schedule, with the first Canadian franchise set to begin play in Toronto in 2018-2019. In addition, the Kansas City Comets will remain in the MASL 1st Division after an offseason restructuring of the team’s ownership and management. Commissioner Joshua Schaub will continue to explore options for further league expansion in future seasons.
“Last season was so exciting for me, as I’m sure it was for many of our fans,” said MASL commissioner Joshua Schaub. “I am very excited to continue with the MASL and watch as the sport of arena soccer continues to grow across North America.”
The Chicago Mustangs have elected to play this season in the brand new MASL2. This new league will be focused on discovering and developing arena soccer players in a competitive atmosphere, while expanding the reach of arena soccer across North America. Atletico Baja is exploring the option of playing in MASL2 while they reorganize their operations as well. The Dallas Sidekicks will be inactive for the 2017-2018 season, but the team is already working with the league and the Allen Event Center to make the Sidekicks return in 2018-2019 a smooth one.