Major Arena Soccer League 3
 | |
| Founded | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Number of clubs | 27 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open for Indoor Soccer |
| Current champions | Northern Virginia FC (3) (2023–24) |
| Website | www |
The Major Arena Soccer League 3 (MASL 3) is a North American indoor soccer league that serves as the developmental league of the Major Arena Soccer League and MASL 2.
History
[edit]
Established in the summer of 2020, MASL 3 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]
In September 2024, Major Arena Soccer League announced the unification of several former PASL member clubs to join MASL 3 in addition to a new women's league (MASL W).[10]
Teams
[edit]| Team | City | Arena | Joined | MASL/MASL2 affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Emerald FC | Austin, TX | 2024 | ||
| Baltimore Kings | Baltimore, MD | Harford Sports Performance Center | 2021 | Baltimore Blast[11] |
| Brew City United | Milwaukee, WI | 2024 | ||
| Central Texas Coyotes | Temple, TX | 2024 | ||
| Cleveland Samba SC | Cleveland, OH | 2024 | ||
| DMV Gunners | Westminster, MD | Carroll County Indoor Sports Center | 2023 | |
| Elizabethtown Ignite | Elizabethtown, KY | 2024 | ||
| Fredericksburg Fire FC | Fredericksburg, VA | Fredericksburg Field House | 2021[12] | |
| Houston Bolt FC | Houston, TX | 2024 | ||
| Indiana United FC | Merrillville, IN | 2024 | ||
| Jackson Boom | Jackson, TN | 2024 | ||
| Kalamazoo United | Kalamazoo, MI | 2024 | ||
| Northern Virginia FC | Winchester, VA | Winchester Sportsplex | 2021 | |
| Philadelphia Spartans | Hatfield, PA | XL Sports World Hatfield | 2021 | |
| San Antonio Eagles | San Antonio, TX | 2024 | ||
| Springfield Demize | Springfield, MO | 2024 | ||
| Valhalla FC | Cincinnati, OH | 2024 | ||
| Virginia Marauders FC | Winchester, VA | Winchester Sportsplex | 2022 | |
| West Michigan Wrath | Grand Rapids, MI | 2024 | ||
| Youngstown Nighthawks | Youngstown, OH | 2024 |
Former teams
[edit]- Des Moines United FC (2021–22) – rebranded as Iowa Demon Hawks and moved to MASL 2
- FC Wichita (2021–22)
- Grand Rapids Wanderers (2020–21)
- Muskegon Risers II (2020–21)
- Omaha Kings FC (2020–21) – moved to MLIS
- Salisbury Steaks (2023–24) – moved to MASL 2
- Skyline City CF (2021–22)
- Springfield Demize (2020–22)
- Sunflower State FC (2020–22)
Champions
[edit]| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Omaha Kings FC | Sunflower State FC | 13–7 |
| 2021–22 | East: Northern Virginia FC
Midwest: Springfield Demize |
Fredericksburg Fire FC
Des Moines United |
12–7
11–6 |
| 2022–23 | Northern Virginia FC | Philadelphia Spartans | 9–8 OT |
| 2023–24 | Northern Virginia FC | Philadelphia Spartans | 17–9 |
References
[edit]- ^ "MASL announces MASL3, next tier in arena soccer pyramid". Major Arena Soccer League. July 20, 2020.
- ^ "THIRD TIER: MASL to add regionally based conferences in 2021 in new M3 league". Front Row Soccer. July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Wanderers to enter the MASL3 in 2021". Grand Rapids Wanderers. July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Youth R.I.S.E coach earns trial with pro team". Northeast News. March 3, 2021.
- ^ "Comets bring back Nick McDonald on a two-year contract". The Examiner. September 29, 2021.
- ^ "MASL 3 expansion: Wichita to build reserve team in 2021". Wichita Wings. September 15, 2020.
- ^ "Springfield Demize joins the MASL". Springfield Demize. October 29, 2020.
- ^ "MASL PYRAMID: M2 is solidified, while M3 is established". Front Row Soccer. December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Sunflower State FC MASL III 2020–2021 Season Recap". Sunflower State FC. February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Major Arena Soccer announces historic unification". Major Arena Soccer League. September 3, 2024.
- ^ "Blast welcome the Baltimore Kings, who will serve as farm team in Major Arena Soccer League's third division". Baltimore Sun. June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Fredericksburg Fire soccer team set for indoor debut Saturday". The Free Lance-Star. January 14, 2022.