Everything You Need to Know about the MASL

While the NPSL and WPSL seasons among others are wrapping up their 2019 regular season the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League still has six weeks left in their regular season! What is the MASL? Who’s in it? Our friend Logan Lommel of Dynamo FC St. Cloud is here to fill you in on everything to know about the league, cups, and how you can watch and get involved.

The League Structure

The Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL), founded in 1953, is a fully-functioning promotion and relegation state amateur league that is comprised of four divisions. The top two teams in each division earn promotion while the bottom two teams in Division 1, 2, and 3 are relegated. On average, the league is home to 40-50 teams that play an 18 game league season that begins in May and ends early in August. Division 1, 2, and 3 each contain 10 clubs, and Division 4 fluctuates in its number due to the fact that any new club in the league has to start from the bottom. Throughout the years, the league has remained the premier amateur soccer league in the state due to its high level of players, hard-working board members, and ambitious clubs.

Cup Competitions

The league also offers two tournaments that take place on a couple of weekends in June:

• The Minnesota Cup, which features any teams in the MASL that would like to participate, or any other clubs in Minnesota that are in good standing with the Minnesota Soccer Association (MSA).
• The Wilson Cup, which is offered to any MASL clubs in Division 2, 3, and 4, or any other clubs in Minnesota that are in good standing with the Minnesota Soccer Association (MSA) that are not in a top tier league.

Notable Clubs

The MASL isn’t just your average “men’s league”. Over the years, there have been a number of clubs that have made it something more. They have built history on the pitch, a foundation to catapult themselves to national leagues, and made impacts off the field in their communities.

• Stegman’s Soccer Club (D1, D3, D3): Stegman’s is the MASL’s most successful club in history. Formed by the merger of Stegman’s Old Boys FC and FC Internationals, the historic club founded in 1977 has an overflowing trophy cabinet. They also lineup as the savvy Minneapolis City SC in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
• VSLT FC (D2, D4): Established in 2013, Viejos Son Los Trapos FC took the league by storm by winning the D4, D3, and D2 title in 3 successive years in the 2014-2016 seasons. After their 2016 MASL season, they joined NPSL where they finished 5th in 2017 and 3rd in 2018. Although they have opted out on the current NPSL North season, their MASL D2 and D4 sides continue to operate this season.
• FC Minnesota (D1, D3): The newly branded Trendy Lions are the reigning MASL D1 champs, and have won two successive Minnesota Cups. FC Minnesota has a successful partnership with the youth association Blaine Soccer Club, where they help bridge the gap between youth and adult soccer.
• SPAM FC (D1, D4): SPAM FC is a well respected club in the state because of their incredible scholarship foundation, and consistent high level of soccer. In 2019, they top the D1 table undefeated, and you can now apply for one of their annual scholarships until August 18th here.
• Vlora City FC (D1, D4): Vlora is a very successful MASL club that is based out of Edina. They also made the jump to the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) this year, where they dominated their conference taking first. Their social media presence this season has also been off the charts.
• Dynamo FC Saint Cloud (D2, D4): The new kids on the block from St. Cloud have made waves on social media, and are fighting for promotion to D1 this season. They are also one of the few teams outside of the metro area that play in the league. Check out their website with match previews, recaps, and player spotlights here.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with the MASL. As a player, fan, or manager, the masl.org website offers live standings, team schedules, and info on how to join the league. You can follow the league on Twitter @MASLorg as well.

If you are a player looking for a team, there is a message board under the league information tab where you can advertise yourself to any clubs looking for players. If you are a fan looking to watch some competitive amateur soccer, check out the up-to-date team schedules on the site that is available for all the teams. There may be a club near you that needs your support!

Whether you’re looking to get involved or not, I hope that you understand more about the league and the thriving clubs that are apart of it. These are exciting times for lower league soccer in Minnesota!

- Logan Lommel #16, Dynamo FC Saint Cloud