A fiesta! New teams welcome MASL 2 with a party in Hermosillo, Mexico City

TAMPA, Florida -- If their introductory press conferences are any indication, Mexico can't wait to get started in Major Arena Soccer League 2 later this year. 

Commissioner Chris Economides was met with bands, media, local government officials and soccer stars in making stops in Hermosillo, home of the Soles de Sonora, and Mexico City, home of Deportivo Asuncion, who will both start league when season nine of MASL 2 play kicks off in November.

SOLES DE SONORA PRESS CONFERENCE

DEPORTIVO ASUNCION PRESS CONFERENCE

"They were two incredible days, hundreds of people, media, supporters between the two events for Soles de Sonora and Deportivo Asuncion in Mexico City the second day, I never anticipated such a reaction and support," Economides said. 

Mexico City is new to the MASL family, while Sonora has a long history in the Major Arena Soccer League including two trips to the league championship round in back-back years where they fell both times to the Baltimore Blast.

Sonora will serve as the official affiliate of the Chihuahua Savage, winners of the MASL and MASL 2 titles this past spring. Mexico City will be lead by head coach Genoni Martinez, one of the greats in MASL history both as a player and a coach. 

""I was treated first class by both organization. I see a lot of success on the horizon for both clubs," Economides added. "They were some of the best press conference events I've ever been a part of it."

He said he hopes the return of Sonora and debut of Mexico City -- the largest city in North America -- will pave the way for additional expansion south of the border.

"I was asked about that down there, and look, Chihuahua has won everything pretty much for the last three years. That's not a coincidence. There's obviously plenty of talent and interest in the indoor game throughout the country.  They are both very well connected in the market which is cortical in getting started. "

He said the key to adding the two new clubs was the leadership in both places.

"This is the most important thing, in terms of the ownership, we couldn't do much better in either market."

The MASL 2 will kick off its ninth season of play late this fall. More information is available at www.masl2.com.