Major Arena Soccer League 3

Football league

Major Arena Soccer League 3

Founded| 2020
Number of teams| 20
Level on pyramid| 3
Domestic cup(s)| U.S. Open for Indoor Soccer
Current champions| Northern Virginia FC (3)
(2023-24)
Website| www.masl3.com

The Major Arena Soccer League 3 (MASL 3) is a North American indoor soccer league that serves as the developmental league of the Major Arena Soccer League and MASL 2.

## History

[edit]

Established in the summer of 2020, MASL 3 is the third tier of indoor soccer in North America under the MASL banner.[1][2] Grand Rapids Wanderers and Muskegon Risers II were the first two member clubs announced[3] with the Omaha Kings FC and Sunflower State FC named the same week.[4][5] Wichita Wings II and Springfield Demize were also added to the inaugural MASL3 lineup.[6][7][8]

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic just four teams (Grand Rapids and Muskegon sat out) competed in the inaugural season of 2020–21. Omaha Kings FC finished the six-game regular season unbeaten and went on to capture the Heartland Invitational Cup with victories over Wichita Wings II (11-8) and Sunflower State FC (13-7).[9]

In September 2024 Major Arena Soccer League announced the unification of several former PASL member clubs to join MASL 3 in addition to a new women's league (MASL W).[10]

## Teams

[edit]

Team  | City  | Arena  | Joined  | MASL/MASL2 affiliate

|
|
|
|

Austin Emerald FC  | Austin, TX |  | 2024  |
Baltimore Kings  | Baltimore, MD | Harford Sports Performance Center  | 2021  | Baltimore Blast[11]
Brew City United  | Milwaukee, WI |  | 2024  |
Central Texas Coyotes  | Temple, TX |  | 2024  |
Cleveland Samba SC  | Cleveland, OH |  | 2024  |
DMV Gunners  | Westminster, MD | Carroll County Indoor Sports Center  | 2023  |
Elizabethtown Ignite  | Elizabethtown, KY |  | 2024  |
Fredericksburg Fire FC  | Fredericksburg, VA | Fredericksburg Field House  | 2021[12] |
Houston Bolt FC  | Houston, TX |  | 2024  |
Indiana United FC  | Merrillville, IN |  | 2024  |
Jackson Boom  | Jackson, TN |  | 2024  |
Kalamazoo United  | Kalamazoo, MI |  | 2024  |
Northern Virginia FC | Winchester, VA | Winchester Sportsplex  | 2021  |
Philadelphia Spartans  | Hatfield, PA | XL Sports World Hatfield  | 2021  |
San Antonio Eagles  | San Antonio, TX |  | 2024  |
Springfield Demize  | Springfield, MO |  | 2024  |
Valhalla FC  | Cincinnati, OH |  | 2024  |
Virginia Marauders FC  | Winchester, VA | Winchester Sportsplex  | 2022  |
West Michigan Wrath  | Grand Rapids, MI |  | 2024  |
Youngstown Nighthawks  | Youngstown, OH |  | 2024  |

### Former teams

[edit]

* Des Moines United FC (2021–22) – rebranded as Iowa Demon Hawks and moved to MASL 2
* FC Wichita (2021–22)
* Grand Rapids Wanderers (2020–21)
* Muskegon Risers II (2020–21)
* Omaha Kings FC (2020–21) – moved to MLIS
* Salisbury Steaks (2023–24) – moved to MASL 2
* Skyline City CF (2021–22)
* Springfield Demize (2020–22)
* Sunflower State FC (2020–22)

## Champions

[edit]

Season  | Champion  | Runner-up  | Result

|
|
|

2020–21  | Omaha Kings FC | Sunflower State FC  | 13-7
2021–22  | East: Northern Virginia FC

Midwest: Springfield Demize

| Fredericksburg Fire FC

Des Moines United

| 12-7

11-6

2022–23  | Northern Virginia FC  | Philadelphia Spartans  | 9-8 OT
2023–24  | 17-9

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "MASL announces MASL3, next tier in arena soccer pyramid". Major Arena Soccer League. July 20, 2020.
2. ^ "THIRD TIER: MASL to add regionally based conferences in 2021 in new M3 league". Front Row Soccer. July 21, 2020.
3. ^ "Wanderers to enter the MASL3 in 2021". Grand Rapids Wanderers. July 21, 2020.
4. ^ "Youth R.I.S.E coach earns trial with pro team". Northeast News. March 3, 2021.
5. ^ "Comets bring back Nick McDonald on a two-year contract". The Examiner. September 29, 2021.
6. ^ "MASL 3 expansion: Wichita to build reserve team in 2021". Wichita Wings. September 15, 2020.
7. ^ "Springfield Demize joins the MASL". Springfield Demize. October 29, 2020.
8. ^ "MASL PYRAMID: M2 is solidified, while M3 is established". Front Row Soccer. December 28, 2020.
9. ^ "Sunflower State FC MASL III 2020–2021 Season Recap". Sunflower State FC. February 25, 2021.
10. ^ "Major Arena Soccer announces historic unification". Major Arena Soccer League. September 3, 2024.
11. ^ "Blast welcome the Baltimore Kings, who will serve as farm team in Major Arena Soccer League's third division". Baltimore Sun. June 30, 2021.
12. ^ "Fredericksburg Fire soccer team set for indoor debut Saturday". The Free Lance-Star. January 14, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* MASL3 website