MASL Announces New Point System and Playoff Format

by Pete Richmere

Following the MASL league meetings in Milwaukee, league officials today announced a new standings system which will be points-based, similar to that used by other professional leagues. For the MASL, it will be a 3-2-1 point system. A team winning in regulation time will receive three standings points, while the losing team will receive none. For an overtime or shoot-out win, a team will be awarded two points and a single point will go to the losing team. In addition, the playoff format for the 2021-22 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs has been announced.


This will be the first time the MASL has used a points-based system to determine standings. The total number of points accumulated by a team will determine their ranking in the standings. Should teams be tied at the end of the regular season, the following tiebreakers will determine the order of finish:


1. Wins in regulation time

2. Total number of wins

3. Head to head results

4. Goal differential

5. Goals scored

6. Goals allowed


2021-22 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs


Though the dates and teams will be determined over the course of the coming season, the format is now known. Each division’s regular-season champion will advance to the playoffs and will be seeded #1 through #3, based on their regular-season point total. Regular-season finishers #4 through #8 will receive Wild-Card spots based on their point total.


The quarter-final round of playoffs will feature:

1 vs 8

2 vs 7

3 vs 6

4 vs 5


The winners will advance to the semi-final round. All series will be a home and home format and if the teams are tied with one win each, they will play a 15 minute overtime period. If they are still tied, it will advance to a golden-goal overtime.


Following the league meetings, MASL Commissioner Keith Tozer commented on the energy and all that transpired in Milwaukee. "After two very successful days of league meetings in Milwaukee, we all left feeling a great sense of excitement and accomplishment, both on the business side as well as on the soccer side,” said Tozer.


The 2021-22 season gets underway on Friday November 26 with the St. Louis Ambush hosting the Kansas City Comets.


ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE


The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional indoor soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico, and players from over 15 countries. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of indoor soccer.