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Comets part of new 24 team MASL

The Missouri Comets are part of the 4 division, 24 team MASL formed with the remnants of the MISL and the bulk of the PASL

By Thad Bell
Comets fans will be happy to know the Comets are returning and have more local rivals
Comets fans will be happy to know the Comets are returning and have more local rivals
Thad Bell

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) was officially introduced Monday in a press conference in Baltimore, MD. The new league becomes the largest professional soccer league in the Unites States with 24 teams spanning the country and even some in Mexico. The indoor league was formed with teams from the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) and the former Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).

The MASL will begin play this fall when the Dallas Sidekicks face off against the defending MISL Champions, the Missouri Comets on Saturday, October 25th at the Allen Events Center. Comets and the Dallas Sidekicks have the league opening match. "We like that honor," Budzinski stated.

The 24 team league will be divided into four 6-team divisions based on geography. Each team will play 10 home games and 10 road games. Three teams from each division will make the playoffs.

Comets Team President, Brian Budzinski was asked how big the creation of the league was for indoor soccer, he replied. "The amount of time and energy the ownership groups have put into this is amazing. They have had two main goals the whole time. One is for the fans to be satisfied and two is the stability and growth of the sport for the future. It has been really impressive to see all 24 of the entities work together for the common good of the game."

The MASL will begin play this fall when the Dallas Sidekicks face off against the defending MISL Champions, the Missouri Comets on Saturday, October 25th at the Allen Events Center. Comets and the Dallas Sidekicks have the league opening match. "We like that honor," Budzinski stated.

The PASL used single point scoring and the former MISL used multi-point scoring.  "There are varying degrees of opinion from all 24 ownership groups and the league is just wanting to make sure it does due diligence and makes the right decision about something that is passionate for all the teams and their fan bases," Budzinski stated when asked about the scoring system.

Players will need to sign new contracts with their teams with the change of league but it appears that the teams can protect a number of their current players to prevent them from moving to rivals.

"New contracts will be drawn because the name on the contract will be different. The name of the league is different so new contracts have to be drawn up,"Budzinki said. "Our plan is to try and bring back the exact same team and go for back to back championships."

It is expected that the MASL will release more information as early as June 1st but for now here is what we know and do not know:

  • Should be home and home within the division and rotating matches with team in other divisions.
  • Scoring (single point vs multi-point) is still being determined.
  • The league has a deal for the official ball which will be Puma
  • There is not a deal for league uniform supplier yet
  • With the national footprint the MASL has already drawn interest from national sponsors but do not pencil in competing for the Toshiba Cup just yet
  • There is television interest but networks have held back a bit to see more info
  • League office to stay in San Diego for now
  • Players are technically out of contract but teams can protect a number of their players

The projected MASL divisions: 

East

  • Baltimore Blast
  • Cincinnati Saints
  • Detroit Waza Flo
  • Harrisburg Heat
  • Rochester Lancers
  • Syracuse Silver Knights

Midwest

  • Chicago Mustangs
  • Missouri Comets (Kansas City)
  • Milwaukee Wave
  • St. Louis Ambush
  • Tulsa Revolution
  • Wichita B-52's

Southwest

  • Brownsville Barracudas FC (Texas)
  • Dallas Sidekicks
  • Hidalgo La Fiera FC
  • Monterrey Flash (Mexico)
  • Saltillo Rancho Seco (Mexico)
  • Texas Strikers (Beaumont)

West

  • Las Vegas Legends
  • Mexico Toros (Tijuana)
  • Ontario Fury (Ca.)
  • San Diego Sockers
  • Tacoma Stars
  • Turlock Express (Ca.)

With MISL veteran team Milwaukee Wave and the St Louis Ambush in the same division as the Comets, it looks to be a very strong division. "I am excited about that," Comets president Brian Budzinski explained. "I like the fact that we will continue to play the Wave on a regular basis which has been a great rivalry. Rekindling with the Wichita fanbase that is so passionate will be great and then obviously we also have the defending PASL champions in the Chicago Mustangs. You can certainly argue that our division along with the Ambush will be the strongest division in the entire league.

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