The 2015âÂÂ16 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.
Many of the 22 teams that completed the 2014âÂÂ15 season returned for the 2015âÂÂ16 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 2016âÂÂ17 season.
Unlike last season where some Eastern Division teams played with a variable-point scoring system, for 2015âÂÂ16 the whole MASL will play with standard soccer scoring using goals, not points.
As of March 4, 2016<br> <br> <br> (Bold) Division Winner
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.
Syracuse advances to the Eastern Division Final.
Baltimore wins series 2âÂÂ0.
Milwaukee wins series 2âÂÂ1.
Missouri wins series 2âÂÂ0.
Baltimore wins series 2âÂÂ0
Brownsville wins series 2âÂÂ0
Las Vegas wins series 2âÂÂ0
San Diego wins series 2âÂÂ0
Sonora wins series 2âÂÂ1.
Sonora wins series 2âÂÂ1.
Baltimore wins Newman Cup 2âÂÂ0.
<small>Last updated on March 4, 2016. Source: </small>