While the majority of the soccer world is just now getting into the stream of things, Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is getting set to finish off its 2023-2024 campaign. Two clubs are set to matchup in a two-part final with the first match kicking off this Sunday.

Balanced Savagery

Chihuahua Savage came into the 2023 season ready to defend its title from the previous season, but struggled against its Mexican counterpart, Monterrey Flash. While Savage went a combined 20-4 against the rest of the league and finished with a +59 goal differential (best in the West), Monterrey owned them this season. Savage went 0-6 against Monterrey this season, never finding the solution to knocking off the Flash. Lucky for Savage, Monterrey got eliminated by Milwaukee in the Eastern divisional playoffs.

Image courtesy of Chihuahua Savage/Major Arena Soccer League

Savage have had a very balanced attack this season, with 11 players in double digit point totals. Every player on the roster but one has a point this season. Led by forwards Hugo Puentes and Eric Tovar, the team dominated the majority of clubs on its schedule on the way to the playoffs. Puentes kept up his form in the playoffs, leading his club with 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists). But this team is a balanced attacking side and, in the knockout match to decide the divisional champion, it was Luis Medrano and Jose Lopez who scored the goals to get Chihuahua into the title match.

Taking the Other Route

After starting the season 4-0, Kansas City went on a 4-10 run that brought them from top of the East to middle of the pack. For whatever reason, it felt like the Comets were snakebit, losing matches they should have won, including one against the ever-struggling Baltimore Blast. The roster was chock full of talent, but couldn’t seem to get its act together to go on a solid run.

Image courtesy of Kansas City Comets/Major Arena Soccer League

The offense was led by the impressive superstar, Zach Reget, who tallied an impressive 48 total points (top five in the league) on 35 goals and 13 assists. There’s a reason the guy gets called to play on the USMNT Futsal team. Ignacio Flores, Rian Marques, Ramone Palmer and Lucas Sousa round out the attack for the Comets, but there’s several more players in double-digit goals (this is arena soccer, everyone is expected to pitch in).

After making it to the playoffs as a 3-seed in the East, Comets seemed to find their form, getting timely scoring and not losing a match on the way to the final. Every match was close, but Kansas City found a way to win them all. In fact, every match but one finished with margin of a single goal. Razor thin, yes, but a win’s a win, and the Comets are in the final.

These clubs have faced each other twice this year and both time Savage have beaten the Comets. However, both of those matches took place at the beginning of the year (January 19 and February 16) and Kansas City seems to have found its footing as in the attack. The question will be can Reget and company find the necessary goals to beat a Savage team that is dangerous at every position?

Savage are looking to repeat as champs and are facing an opponent they know how to beat. Comets need to prove they have what it takes to take the Ron Newman Cup for the first time and beating Chihuahua will be the ultimate test. Sunday will be the first leg to see who wins the MASL Championship and hoists the cup.

- Dan Vaughn