Legendary American soccer trio to head new MASL leadership group

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) announced that the American soccer trio of Keith Tozer, Shep Messing and JP Dellacamera have been named to the league’s new leadership on Thursday. They will begin their duties on Tuesday, June 15.

Tozer, a legend in indoor soccer for his decorated playing and coaching career, will be the league’s newest commissioner. The winningest coach in indoor history won more than 700 games with eight Coach of the Year accolades and six league titles. Tozer’s last indoor job was with the Milwaukee Wave in 2014, where he ended his 22-year career as their head coach with two MISL championships in his final four seasons.

Tozer will take over for outgoing commissioner Joshua Schaub, who had been leading the league for the previous five seasons. Tozer will have some questions to answer before his inaugural season, such as whether or not to keep the glass up. Some like it up because it keeps the game flowing, others like it down for better fan-player interaction.

Messing joins the MASL leadership as the league’s first Chairman. The first signing in MISL history, Messing entered indoor soccer in 1978 as a goalkeeper after building a good resume in the original NASL, where he played alongside Pele with the New York Cosmos. He won the first four championships with the New York Arrows in the MISL. Messing has been heard as a broadcaster in recent years, providing commentary for the New York Red Bulls as well as working with ESPN, NBC and Fox Sports in their coverage of World Cups, the Olympics and other soccer coverage.

Dellacamera, an American soccer broadcasting legend, will serve as the league’s president of communications/media. Earlier in his career, Dellacamera spent time commentating for the Pittsburgh Spirit and St. Louis Steamers before becoming the voice of the MISL on ESPN. He has worked with every major sports network and called 14 men’s and women’s World Cups. Since 2010, he has commentated for the Philadelphia Union and will continue to do so as well as his work with Fox Sports.

Dellacamera will need to decide the future of MASL broadcasts. After finding YouTube as a reliable platform, the MASL switched to a pay-per-view style Facebook Live this past season.

Kansas City Comets managing partner Brian Budzinski said, “I have never been more excited about the direction of our sport and our league as I am today. Shep, Keith, and JP all bring impeccable backgrounds and reputations to the MASL leadership.”