The 2015–16 Major Arena Soccer League season was the eighth season for the league and the second 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 24, 2015, and ended on March 4, 2016. Each team played a 20-game schedule. It was also the 38th season of professional indoor soccer in the United States.
Teams Many of the 22 teams that completed the 2014–15 season returned for the 2015–16 season. Teams not returning this season include Rochester Lancers, Wichita B-52s, Tulsa Revolution, and Monterrey Flash. In April 2015, Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale announced that his team was withdrawing from the MASL to form a new league. No other teams announced their departure and the proposed new league never formed. The Blast quietly rejoined the league after agreeing to pay a fine. The Detroit Waza relocated to Flint, Michigan, and are operating this season as simply Waza Flo.
The expansion Sonora Suns based in Hermosillo, Connecticut-based Hartford City FC, Iowa-based Cedar Rapids Rampage, and Tijuana-based Atletico Baja were formally accepted for membership in the MASL. The fledgling Youngstown Nighthawks based in Ohio aimed to join the league but encountered financial issues.
On October 28, 2015, the MASL announced that Hartford City FC would not be permitted to enter the league this season and began league-wide schedule changes to replace the failed franchise. A new ownership group hoped to revive the team for the 2016–17 season.
Unlike the prior season where some Eastern Division teams played with a variable-point scoring system, for 2015–16 the whole MASL played with standard soccer scoring using goals, not points.
Standings As of March 4, 2016
(Bold) Division Winner
Eastern Conference PlaceTeamGPWLPctGFGAGBHomeRoad Eastern Division1Baltimore Blast19154.78912957-9-16-32Syracuse Silver Knights20119.5501201134.57-34-63Waza Flo1899.5001011195.55-34-64Harrisburg Heat19118.0537515214.00-101-8 Central Division1Missouri Comets20173.85015395—7-310-02Chicago Mustangs20137.65015212347-36-43Milwaukee Wave20137.65013111447-36-44St. Louis Ambush20515.250104138123-72-85Cedar Rapids Rampage20515.250117160123-72-8
Western Conference PlaceTeamGPWLPctGFGAGBHomeRoad Southwest Division1Las Vegas Legends20146.700141106—8-26-42Atletico Baja20128.60017816128-24-63Brownsville Barracudas20812.40013414566-42-84Saltillo Rancho Seco20713.35015017075-52-85Sacramento Surge20317.150114180113-70-106Turlock Express20317.15098174113-70-10 Pacific Division1Sonora Suns20173.850219134—9-18-22San Diego Sockers20137.65013811147-36-43Tacoma Stars20137.65011610947-36-44Ontario Fury20128.60014613557-35-55Dallas Sidekicks20713.350114134104-63-7
2016 Ron Newman Cup
Playoff format Top three finishers in each division qualify for the playoffs. The winner of the playoff between the second and third place teams will play the first place team for the division title.
Each round (including the Newman Cup Championship) will be a home and away series. Teams that win both games will advance. If the wins are split between the two teams, a fifteen-minute mini game will be played immediately after the second game to break the tie. The only exception will be the Eastern Division Semi-Final, where there will be a one-game playoff (Syracuse hosting Waza Flo) because of arena availability issues.
Eastern Conference Playoffs
Eastern Division Semi-Final
Syracuse advances to the Eastern Division Final.
Eastern Division Final
Baltimore wins series 2–0.
Central Division Semi-Final
Milwaukee wins series 2–1.
Central Division Final
Missouri wins series 2–0.
Eastern Conference Final
Baltimore wins series 2–0
Western Conference Playoffs
Southwest Division Semi-Final
Brownsville wins series 2–0
Southwest Division Final
Las Vegas wins series 2–0
Pacific Division Semi-Final
San Diego wins series 2–0
Pacific Division Final
Sonora wins series 2–1.
Western Conference Final
Sonora wins series 2–1.
Newman Cup Championship
Baltimore wins Newman Cup 2–0.
Statistics
Top scorers RankScorerClubGamesGoalsAssistsPoints1 Franck TayouSonora Suns204715622 Kraig ChilesSan Diego Sockers182827553 Vahid AssadpourMissouri Comets202327504 Mauricio SallesOntario Fury20301646 Efrain MartinezChicago Mustangs202125466 Ian BennettMilwaukee Wave2037744 Leo GibsonMissouri Comets182123448 Victor BaezSaltillo Rancho Seco202815439 Moises GonzalezBrownsville Barracudas2034842 Hewerton MoreiraCedar Rapids Rampage20132942Last updated on March 4, 2016. Source:
Awards
Individual awards AwardNameTeamLeague MVPFranck TayouSonora SunsGoalkeeper of the YearDanny Waltman Tacoma StarsDefender of the YearPat HealeyBaltimore BlastRookie of the YearAlejandro LeyvaSonora SunsCoach of the YearDarren SawatzkyTacoma StarsAaron Susi Trophy (Playoff MVP)Lucas RoqueBaltimore Blast
All-League First Team NamePositionTeamKraig ChilesFSan Diego SockersFranck TayouFSonora SunsVahid AssadpourMMissouri CometsDamian GarciaDSonora SunsEric GuzmanDLas Vegas LegendsDanny WaltmanGKTacoma Stars
All-League Second Team NamePositionTeamLeo GibsonFMissouri CometsMauricio SallesFOntario FuryIan BennettMMilwaukee WaveVictor BaezDSaltillo Rancho SecoPat HealeyDBaltimore BlastWilliam VanzelaGKBaltimore Blast
All-League Third Team NamePositionTeamEfrain MartinezFChicago MustangsMax FerdinandMMilwaukee WaveMoises GonzalezMBrownsville BarracudasLuis OrtegaDChicago MustangsJohn SosaDMissouri CometsBoris PardoGKMissouri Comets
All-Rookie Team NamePositionTeamAlejandro LeyvaFSonora SunsAdolfo BautistaFChicago MustangsMike RamosMTacoma StarsThiago GonçalvesDWaza FloRoberto MedinaDSonora SunsAndrew CoughlinGKSyracuse Silver Knights
References
External links MASL official website