The mess was officially cleaned up as of Monday afternoon when the MASL announced that all the members of IPL had joined the league, officially ending the feud. As part of an announcement of the league website Monday afternoon, MASL commissioner Joshua Schaub made the following statement;
"After an offseason of dialogue regarding how to push arena soccer forward, all parties have found
it in their respective best interest, and that of arena soccer as a whole, to maintain one unified league."
While the clear winner of Monday's developments was the Major Arena Soccer League, the Syracuse Silver Knights are also benefiting in big ways. Tommy Tanner, Head Coach of the Silver Knights, gave an interview with The Fair Cuse Sports Report regarding the drama over the summer and Monday's developments. He was very pleased with the four teams joining the MASL and ending the divide within indoor soccer in North America. He explained the the departure of the Blast, Heat, and Ambush put the Knights in a difficult place within the MASL. Travel would become an issue for the team with a lack of Eastern teams to play against in the upcoming 2016-17 season. More extensive travel would put a greater strain on the Silver Knight's overall financial situation, something that has been a subject of concern in the past few seasons. All summer, it has been a question on if the Knights were going to leave the MASL for the IPL, seeing that it had greater competition in the Eastern United States. Tanner revealed that he and Knight's management were approached by the IPL several times about jumping leagues. However, going back to wanting stability in the indoor soccer scene, Tanner and his Syracuse squad opted to stay put and trying to help the struggling MASL. He made note that having one unified league would be better for the sport, instead of having two leagues trying to out-do one another. On the other hand, Tanner made it clear that the Major Arena Soccer League has had its own problems that still need to be ironed out by league and team officials. Problems with the MASL was one of the original reasons Ed Hale and the Baltimore Blast left the league and attempted to form the IPL.
With all the drama hopefully ended, the Silver Knights and the MASL can get back to business getting ready for the 2016-17 campaign. Tanner explained free agency opens up at the end of the month, which be the start of getting this year's team together. He has been impressed with many of his players' performances this summer season, specifically Antonio Manfut winning the NPSL Title with AFC Cleveland and Kenardo Forbes leading the Rochester Rhinos' offensive charge. According to their website, the entire league schedule should be ready for release around labor day. Keep with The Fair Cuse Sports Report for more breaking news in the MASL and the Syracuse Silver Knights as the season approaches.
Credits:
http://maslsoccer.com/
Tommy Tanner- Head Coach of Syracuse Silver Knights