What a weekend to open up 2024. There were seven matches played and a postponed match due to a water main break at Pechanga Arena. After this weekend, there remains two undefeated teams, a new leader in the East, and flames of historic empires igniting (Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Tacoma).

Thursday, January 4th

Utica City FC 7-9 Milwaukee Wave

This was Utica's first test outside of the Heat and the Blast. First quarter ended in a 2-2 scoreline. The second period, Milwaukee began to create space between the two and would gain the lead, one that they would not give up. The rest of the game was a back and forth affair, Utica inviting the press and Milwaukee defending the fast break.

The game ended in a Wave win, a good win for them. This was a more improved version of the Wave, finishing their opportunities, a solid defense, and big saves from Willie B. Though Utica lost, this game showed that Utica is for real. A huge shout-out to Ronaldinho, Nilton, and Keaton; these three are looking more and more like the future of the City.

Friday, January 5th

St Louis Ambush 7-8 Baltimore Blast

This was a must win match for both teams. The game kicked off in the same fashion that all Blast games have gone, the opponent would score first and get a few quick goals. The first quarter would end with a 4-1 lead for the Ambush. They would keep the lead for most of the game and Baltimore would spend most of the game chasing and ultimately finding the tie in the fourth quarter.

In the last period, Baltimore would put on a show, netting three goals and one of those three was scored in the last 30 seconds to send it into overtime. Eventually, with the same hustle and drive Baltimore would find the golden goal five minutes in OT. Give the sold out crowd a moment they will not forget.

Baltimore celebrates overtime win against St Louis.

Monterrey Flash 8-5 Chihuahua Savage

Monterrey remains undefeated and with a stranglehold on the Mexican Indoor Classico, this win makes it 3-0 on the six game series. This game began with Chihuahua on the front foot, leading the full first half. It was the second half that Monterrey figured out their opponent and took the lead, closing out the game with a three goal lead.

This game gave us the match up of Christian Hernandez and Iván Muñoz, who had a combined total of 31 saves! 14 for Hernandez and 17 for Muñoz. This game also gave us 74 shots on goal. Lastly, this game marked a three game winning streak for the Flash over the Savage, being that the last three games these two have played have been against each other.

Saturday, January 6th

Harrisburg Heat vs Kansas City Comets

This was the first match of a long weekend for Harrisburg. The game started as it would end, with Kansas City in control. The Comets would find the net 8 times and the Heat would only net 4 goals.

Kansas City continues to look like one of the favorites in the East. Zach and John would find points, there were other big moments like the return of Leo Gibson’s and Lucas Sousa’s scoring ways. For Harrisburg, Dom Francis would net a hat trick and Grant Glorioso would have 19 saves with a 73 save percentage.

Empire Strykers 11-4 Dallas Sidekicks

The Dallas Sidekicks celebrate a 40th anniversary, but Empire came to ruin the party. The first half of the game was a close one, trading off goals between the two sides. The second half, the Empire took off. Scoring 7 goals, led by Marco Fabian and Justin Stinson. Dallas saw four blue cards. The game ended in a huge win for the Strykers, a needed win as this was only their second win of the season.

Utica City FC 7-10 Tacoma Stars

The battle of speed but what edged out was experience. Utica's biggest weapon this season has been their speed and Tacoma has been the only team to have been able to match the speed. The City's defeat came in the shape of their mistakes, poor passes or giveaways were at the root cause.

From the first quarter to early in the fourth quarter, this was a back and forth match. So much that Tacoma looked to fall into the same story of not finishing out the last period, that's how Utica tied it. But a goal from Nick Perera and an assist from Jamael Cox gave the Stars new life. So much so that they would end up scoring the most goals they have scored in the fourth quarter all season.

Sunday, January 7th

Harrisburg Heat 6-13 Milwaukee Wave

This match showed us two things, Milwaukee is finding their form and Harrisburg is in for a long season. The Wave were in control for the full match. Gaining the lead in the first quarter and staying in the lead for the rest of the game. The Wave outshot the Heat 40 to 18 shots on goal.

Chihuahua Savage 5-10 Monterrey Flash

This makes it four straight wins for the Flash over defending MASL champions, Chihuahua Savage. Out of the four games these two have played, this was Monterrey's most convincing performance. Scoring four unanswered goals in the first half. The second half did have some goals from Savage but to no avail, the Flash was in control.

Star players for the Flash were Chiva Ramirez with 3 goals, Erick Rosas with a goal and 2 assists, and Ismael Rojo with 2 goals. A key note, this was Iván Muñoz's worst performance this season for the Savage.

- Geo Monterroso

While Geo is a contributing writer for Protagonist Soccer, he’s also the founder and host of the Goals N Boards podcast. It’s the best podcast strictly devoted to MASL.