M2 will open sixth season of pro indoor soccer Decemeber 10-12
TAMPA, Fla. – Major Arena Soccer League 2 will kick off its sixth season of pro indoor soccer the weekend of Dec. 10-12, league Commissioner Chris Economides announced.
The San Diego Sockers 2, who posted an impressive 11-1 regular season record are the defending league champions,. The Sockers won their title during last season’s Championship Weekend staged in Muskegon, Michigan, matching the MASL title won by their parent club.
“Season five had some of our most exciting matches ever – our semifinal games were both one-goal affairs with one going into overtime as an example – so we can’t wait for season six to officially begin,” Economides said. “As our now direct affiliation with the MASL continues to grow and strengthen, we will have exciting announcements in the coming weeks about new teams and relationships that will grow the sport as we have intended all along.”
Major Arena Soccer League 2 will now have its owner’s meeting at the same time and place this fall as the MASL, Economides noted, and all M2 teams will be invited to have general managers and coaches at the MASL Combine scheduled in late October in Mesquite where over 100 potential players are expected to put their talents on display.
Many young M2 stars have moved on to the sport’s top level in recent years, including Wichita’s Eduardo “Benji” Monreal and Omaha's Ali Sodal (both with the Kansas City Comets) and Muskegon’s Breno Oliveira (Florida Tropics).
“It’s exciting the MASL is taking a more active role and interest in being even greater partners. Allowing our M2 owners, coaches and general managers to be part of their events opens opportunities for more dialogue and cooperation for growing the sport together,” Economides added. “At the top level, the sport’s leaders recognize the quality of play and positive commitment to the sport that each M2 franchise exudes.”
Currently, two MASL teams field M2 clubs as well, although that number is expected to grow as soon as this coming season, Economides indicated.
M2’s official opening weekend comes one week after the MASL’s official opening weekend, although the season will begin with an Interstate 70 home-and-home showdown Thanksgiving weekend between long-time rivals St. Louis Ambush and Kansas City Comets.