2016–17 Major Arena Soccer League season

Football league season

Major Arena Soccer LeagueSeason| 2016–17

|

Champions| Baltimore Blast
Matches played| 170
Goals scored| 2,196 (12.92 per match)
Top goalscorer| Franck Tayou
(57 goals)
Biggest home win| Sonora Suns 21–2 Dallas Sidekicks
(February 16, 2017)
Biggest away win| Atletico Baja 3–15 Sonora Suns
(November 27, 2016)
Highest scoring| Sonora Suns 18–15 Turlock Express
(November 12, 2016)
Longest winning run| 10 Games:
Sonora Suns
(11/5/16–1/21/17)
Longest losing run| 20 Games:
El Paso Coyotes
(10/29/16–3/4/17 – full season)
Highest attendance| 9,722[1]
Baltimore Blast 5–2 Milwaukee Wave
(February 4, 2017)
Lowest attendance| 187[2]
Atletico Baja 9-4 Tacoma Stars
(December 4, 2016)
Average attendance| 2,746[3]

← 2015–16

2017–18 →

The 2016–17 Major Arena Soccer League season was the ninth season for the league and the third since six teams from the former Major Indoor Soccer League defected to what was formerly called the Professional Arena Soccer League. The regular season started on October 29, 2016, and ended on March 5, 2017.[4] Each team played a 20-game schedule. The defending champions were the Baltimore Blast. The Blast repeated in 2016–17, defeating the Sonora Suns in the Ron Newman Cup, 2–1.

## Teams

[edit]

Of the 20 teams that competed in the 2015–16 season, the Waza Flo, Las Vegas Legends, Brownsville Barracudas, Saltillo Rancho Seco, and Sacramento Surge did not return for the 2016–17 season. The Florida Tropics SC and El Paso Coyotes joined the MASL for this season, bringing the total number of teams in the league to 17.

In the offseason, the Baltimore Blast, Harrisburg Heat, St. Louis Ambush left the MASL, and joined the expansion Tropics to form the Indoor Professional League.[5] The Blast, Heat and Ambush re-joined the MASL in August 2016, with the Tropics being considered an expansion franchise for the MASL.[6] Additionally the Missouri Comets announced in September 2016 that they were renaming themselves the Kansas City Comets.[7]

## Standings

[edit]

Final as of March 6, 2017
2016-17 League Championship
2016-17 Playoff Team
(Bold) Division Winner

### Eastern Conference

[edit]

Place  | Team  | GP  | W  | L  | Pct  | GF  | GA  | GB  | Home  | Road

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Eastern Division
1  | Baltimore Blast | 20 | 14 | 6 | .700 | 113 | 69 | — | 8-2 | 6-4
2  | Harrisburg Heat | 20 | 10 | 10 | .500 | 116 | 124 | 4 | 6-4 | 4-6
3  | Florida Tropics SC | 20 | 8 | 12 | .400 | 99 | 138 | 6 | 6-4 | 2-8
4  | Syracuse Silver Knights | 20 | 8 | 12 | .400 | 137 | 127 | 6 | 5-5 | 3-7
Central Division
1  | Kansas City Comets | 20 | 15 | 5 | .750 | 142 | 92 | — | 8-2 | 7-3
2  | Milwaukee Wave | 20 | 13 | 7 | .650 | 135 | 103 | 2 | 8-2 | 5-5
3  | Cedar Rapids Rampage | 20 | 12 | 8 | .600 | 126 | 127 | 3 | 7-3 | 5-5
4  | Chicago Mustangs | 20 | 11 | 9 | .550 | 124 | 136 | 4 | 4-6 | 7-3
5  | St. Louis Ambush | 20 | 1 | 19 | .050 | 83 | 150 | 14 | 1-9 | 0-10

### Western Conference

[edit]

Place  | Team  | GP  | W  | L  | Pct  | GF  | GA  | GB  | Home  | Road

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Southwest Division
1  | Sonora Suns | 20 | 17 | 3 | .850 | 230 | 120 | — | 10-0 | 7-3
2  | Atletico Baja | 20 | 10 | 10 | .500 | 134 | 167 | 7 | 7-3 | 3-7
3  | Dallas Sidekicks | 20 | 7 | 13 | .350 | 138 | 144 | 10 | 5-5 | 2-8
4  | El Paso Coyotes | 20 | 0 | 20 | .000 | 114 | 223 | 17 | 0-10 | 0-10
Pacific Division
1  | San Diego Sockers | 20 | 14 | 6 | .700 | 149 | 90 | — | 9-1 | 5-5
2  | Ontario Fury | 20 | 12 | 8 | .600 | 148 | 132 | 2 | 6-4 | 6-4
3  | Tacoma Stars | 20 | 10 | 10 | .500 | 114 | 120 | 4 | 8-2 | 2-8
4  | Turlock Express | 20 | 8 | 12 | .400 | 132 | 172 | 6 | 7-3 | 1-9

## 2017 Ron Newman Cup

[edit]

The Ron Newman Cup playoffs began after the regular season ended on March 5, 2017. The top two teams from each division qualified for the post-season, with each round being a 2-game home and home series, with a 15-minute mini-game played immediately after Game 2 if the series is tied.[8]

### Eastern Conference Playoffs

[edit]

#### Eastern Division Final

[edit]

March 11, 2017

7:05 PM EST

Game 1

Baltimore Blast| 4–5| Harrisburg Heat

|
|

| Report |

Royal Farms Arena

Attendance: 4,214

Referee: Kyle Trimble

March 15, 2017

7:35 PM EDT

Game 2

Harrisburg Heat| 4–7| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

New Holland Arena

Attendance: 1,152

Referee: Shane Butler

March 15, 2017

10:00 PM EDT

Game 3

Harrisburg Heat| 1–4| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

New Holland Arena

Attendance: 1,152

Referee: Shane Butler

Baltimore wins series 2–1

* * *

#### Central Division Final

[edit]

March 9, 2017

7:35 PM CST

Game 1

Kansas City Comets| 7–6| Milwaukee Wave

|
|

| Report |

Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

Attendance: 3,419

Referee: Brian Miller

March 12, 2017

2:05 PM CST

Game 2

Milwaukee Wave| 7–5| Kansas City Comets

|
|

| Report |

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena

Attendance: 3,348

Referee: Rich Grady

March 12, 2017

4:40 PM CST

Game 3

Milwaukee Wave| 3–2 (OT)| Kansas City Comets

|
|

| Report |

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena

Attendance: 3,348

Referee: Rich Grady

Milwaukee wins series 2–1

* * *

#### Eastern Conference Final

[edit]

March 18, 2017

7:05 EDT

Game 1

Baltimore Blast| 8–7 (OT)| Milwaukee Wave

|
|

| Report |

Royal Farms Arena

Attendance: 3,225

Referee: Eduardo Hernadez

March 21, 2017

7:35 CDT

Game 2

Milwaukee Wave| 8–4| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena

Attendance: 2,218

Referee: Brian Miller

March 21, 2017

8:55 CDT

Game 3

Milwaukee Wave| 1–2| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena

Attendance: 2,218

Referee: Brian Miller

Baltimore wins series 2–1

### Western Conference Playoffs

[edit]

#### Southwest Division Final

[edit]

March 8, 2017

8:05 PM CST

Game 1

Atletico Baja| 7–10| Sonora Suns

|
|

| Report |

Unidad Deportiva Tijuana

Attendance: 746

Referee: Angel Gutierrez

March 11, 2017

7:05 PM CST

Game 2

Sonora Suns| 17–3| Atletico Baja

|
|

| Report |

Centro de Usos Multiples

Attendance: 4,000

Referee: Omar Ramos

Sonora wins series 2–0

* * *

#### Pacific Division Final

[edit]

March 12, 2017

5:05 PM PST

Game 1

San Diego Sockers| 9–4| Ontario Fury

|
|

| Report |

Valley View Casino Center

Attendance: 6,242

Referee: Ramiro Cruz

March 14, 2017

7:35 PM PST

Game 2

Ontario Fury| 8–4| San Diego Sockers

|
|

| Report |

Citizens Business Bank Arena

Attendance: 3,675

Referee: Kia Dehpanah

March 14, 2017

9:47 PM PST

Game 3

Ontario Fury| 0–1| San Diego Sockers

|
|

| Report |

Citizens Business Bank Arena

Attendance: 3,675

Referee: Kia Dehpanah

San Diego wins series 2–1

* * *

#### Western Conference Final

[edit]

March 19, 2017

5:05 PDT

Game 1

San Diego Sockers| 4–7| Sonora Suns

|
|

| Report |

Valley View Casino Center

Attendance: 3,853

Referee: Ramiro Cruz

March 25, 2017

7:05 PDT

Game 2

Sonora Suns| 11–10| San Diego Sockers

|
|

| Report |

Centro de Usos Multiples

Attendance: 8,000

Referee: Kia Dehpanah

Sonora wins series 2–0

### 2017 Ron Newman Cup Finals

[edit]

April 7, 2017

8:05 EDT

Game 1

Baltimore Blast| 2–4| Sonora Suns

|
|

| Report |

Royal Farms Arena

Attendance: 6,701

Referee: Kyle Trimble

April 9, 2017

6:05 PDT

Game 2

Sonora Suns| 8–9 (OT)| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

Centro de Usos Multiples

Attendance: 8,000

Referee: Fernando Pena

April 9, 2017

9:05 PDT

Game 3

Sonora Suns| 0–1| Baltimore Blast

|
|

| Report |

Centro de Usos Multiples

Attendance: 8,000

Referee: Fernando Pena

Baltimore wins series 2–1

## Statistics

[edit]

### Top Scorers

[edit]

Rank  | Scorer  | Club  | Games  | Goals  | Assists  | Points

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Franck Tayou | Sonora Suns | 20  | 57  | 15  | 72
2  | Ian Bennett | Milwaukee Wave | 20  | 53  | 11  | 64
3  | Christian Gutierrez | Atletico Baja | 20  | 51  | 11  | 62
4  | Taylor Bond | Chicago Mustangs | 20  | 40  | 14  | 54
t5  | Kraig Chiles | San Diego Sockers | 20  | 39  | 12  | 51
t5  | Leonardo de Oliveira | Ontario Fury | 19  | 31  | 20  | 51
7  | Max Ferdinand | Milwaukee Wave | 18  | 18  | 30  | 48
8  | Cameron Brown | Dallas Sidekicks | 19  | 29  | 16  | 45
t9  | Kenardo Forbes | Syracuse Silver Knights | 20  | 21  | 21  | 42
t9  | Enrique Canez | Sonora Suns | 20  | 32  | 10  | 42
t9  | Tony Donatelli | Baltimore Blast | 20  | 19  | 23  | 42

Last updated on March 6, 2017.

## Awards

[edit]

### Individual awards

[edit]

Award  | Name[9] | Team

|
|

League MVP | Franck Tayou  | Sonora Suns
Goalkeeper of the Year  | Chris Toth  | San Diego Sockers
Defender of the Year  | Stephen Basso  | Harrisburg Heat
Rookie of the Year  | Stephen Paterson  | Kansas City Comets
Coach of the Year  | Denison Cabral  | Harrisburg Heat
Aaron Susi Trophy (Playoff MVP)  | Vini Dantas  | Baltimore Blast

### All-League First Team

[edit]

Name[10] | Position  | Team

|
|

Max Ferdinand  | F  | Milwaukee Wave
Franck Tayou  | F  | Sonora Suns
Ian Bennett  | M  | Milwaukee Wave
John Sosa  | D  | Kansas City Comets
Stephen Basso  | D  | Harrisburg Heat
Chris Toth  | GK  | San Diego Sockers

### All-League Second Team

[edit]

Name[11] | Position  | Team

|
|

Christian Gutierrez  | F  | Atletico Baja
Kraig Chiles  | F  | San Diego Sockers
Taylor Bond  | M  | Chicago Mustangs
Damian Garcia  | D  | Soles de Sonora
Chris Mattingly  | D  | St. Louis Ambush
William Vanzela  | GK  | Baltimore Blast

### All-League Third Team

[edit]

Name[12] | Position  | Team

|
|

Victor Quiroz  | F  | San Diego Sockers
Kenardo Forbes  | M  | Syracuse Silver Knights
Vahid Assadpour  | M  | Kansas City Comets
Ernesto Luna  | D  | Atletico Baja
Stephen Paterson  | D  | Kansas City Comets
Leonardo de Oliviera  | GK  | Ontario Fury

### All-Rookie Team

[edit]

Name[13] | Position  | Team

|
|

Lucas Teixeria  | F  | Florida Tropics SC
Elton de Oliveira  | D  | Baltimore Blast
Thiago Freitas  | M  | Harrisburg Heat
Manuel Rojo  | D  | Atletico Baja
Guerrero Pino  | M  | Kansas City Comets
Stephen Paterson  | GK  | Kansas City Comets

## Attendances

[edit]

Team  | Home average

|

Baltimore Blast | 6,300
Soles de Sonora | 4,900
Milwaukee Wave | 3,794
Kansas City Comets | 3,740
San Diego Sockers | 3,688
Ontario Fury | 3,024
Tacoma Stars | 2,894
Florida Tropics | 2,778
Chicago Mustangs | 2,623
St. Louis Ambush | 2,574
Dallas Sidekicks | 2,300
Syracuse Silver Knights | 2,300
El Paso Coyotes | 2,205
Cedar Rapids Rampage | 2,193
Harrisburg Heat | 1,449
Turlock Express | 556
Atletico Baja | 319

[14]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "MASL Soccer Game Results". Major Arena Soccer League.
2. ^ "MASL Soccer Game Results". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
3. ^ "MASL Soccer Statistics". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
4. ^ "MASL League Schedule". MASL. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
5. ^ Graham, Glenn (February 18, 2016). "Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale plans to remove team from MASL, form new league". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD: Tribune Publishing. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
6. ^ "MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE EXPANDS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE". MASL. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
7. ^ "NEWS: Comets reclaim Kansas City in 2016-17 rebranding - Major Arena Soccer League".[permanent dead link‍]
8. ^ "MASL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS". MASL Soccer. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
9. ^ "MASL ANNOUNCES MAJOR AWARDS". MASL Soccer. April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
10. ^ "MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 1ST TEAM ALL-MASL". MASL Soccer. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
11. ^ "MASL ANNOUNCES 2ND AND 3RD TEAM AWARDS". MASL Soccer. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
12. ^ "MASL ANNOUNCES 2ND AND 3RD TEAM AWARDS". MISL Soccer. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
13. ^ "MASL HONORS 2016-2017 AWARD WINNERS". MASL Soccer. April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
14. ^ "Taking Attendance 3/6/2017: (Nearly) Final MASL Numbers (UPDATED) – kenn.com blog". www.kenn.com.

## External links

[edit]

* MASL official website

* v
* t
* e

Major Arena Soccer League

Teams|

| Eastern|

* Baltimore Blast
* Harrisburg Heat
* Kansas City Comets
* Milwaukee Wave
* Monterrey Flash
* St. Louis Ambush
* Utica City FC

|

Western|

* Chihuahua Savage
* Dallas Sidekicks
* Empire Strykers
* San Diego Sockers
* Tacoma Stars
* Texas Outlaws

Seasons|

* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2021
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Affiliated Leagues|

* MASL 2
* MASL 3
* MASL W

See also: Former Professional Arena Soccer League teams
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