Major Arena Soccer League 3 Explained

Major Arena Soccer League 3
Founded:2020
Teams:8
Level:3
Domest Cup:U.S. Open for Arena Soccer
Champions:Northern Virginia FC (3)
Season:2023-24

The Major Arena Soccer League 3 (MASL3) is a North American indoor soccer league that serves as the developmental league of the Major Arena Soccer League and MASL2.

History

Established in the summer of 2020, MASL3 is the third tier of indoor soccer in North America under the MASL banner.[1] [2] Grand Rapids Wanderers and Muskegon Risers II were the first two member clubs announced[3] with the Omaha Kings FC and Sunflower State FC named the same week.[4] [5] Wichita Wings II and Springfield Demize were also added to the inaugural MASL3 lineup.[6] [7] [8]

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic just four teams (Grand Rapids and Muskegon sat out) competed in the inaugural season of 2020–21. Omaha Kings FC finished the six-game regular season unbeaten and went on to capture the Heartland Invitational Cup with victories over Wichita Wings II (11-8) and Sunflower State FC (13-7).[9]

Teams

!Team!City!Arena!Joined!MASL/MASL2 affiliate
Baltimore KingsBaltimore, MDHarford Sports Performance Center2021Baltimore Blast[10]
Cleveland Samba SCCleveland, OH2024
DMV GunnersWestminster, MDCarroll County Indoor Sports Center2023
Fredericksburg Fire FCFredericksburg, VAFredericksburg Field House2021[11]
Northern Virginia FCWinchester, VAWinchester Sportsplex2021
Philadelphia SpartansHatfield, PAXL Sports World Hatfield2021
Salisbury SteaksSalisbury, MDCrown Sports Center2023
Virginia Marauders FCWinchester, VAWinchester Sportsplex2022

Former teams

Champions

!Season!Champion!Runner-up!Result
2020–21Omaha Kings FCSunflower State FC13-7
2021–22East: Northern Virginia FCMidwest: Springfield DemizeFredericksburg Fire FCDes Moines United12-711-6
2022–23Northern Virginia FCPhiladelphia Spartans9-8 OT
2023–2417-9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: July 20, 2020. MASL announces MASL3, next tier in arena soccer pyramid. Major Arena Soccer League.
  2. Web site: July 21, 2020. THIRD TIER: MASL to add regionally based conferences in 2021 in new M3 league. Front Row Soccer.
  3. Web site: July 21, 2020. Wanderers to enter the MASL3 in 2021. Grand Rapids Wanderers.
  4. Web site: March 3, 2021. Youth R.I.S.E coach earns trial with pro team. Northeast News.
  5. Web site: September 29, 2021. Comets bring back Nick McDonald on a two-year contract. The Examiner.
  6. Web site: September 15, 2020. MASL 3 expansion: Wichita to build reserve team in 2021. Wichita Wings.
  7. Web site: October 29, 2020. Springfield Demize joins the MASL. Springfield Demize.
  8. Web site: December 28, 2020. MASL PYRAMID: M2 is solidified, while M3 is established. Front Row Soccer.
  9. Web site: February 25, 2021. Sunflower State FC MASL III 2020–2021 Season Recap. Sunflower State FC.
  10. Web site: June 30, 2021. Blast welcome the Baltimore Kings, who will serve as farm team in Major Arena Soccer League's third division. Baltimore Sun.
  11. Web site: January 14, 2022. Fredericksburg Fire soccer team set for indoor debut Saturday. The Free Lance-Star.