You see that poor, dejected athlete above? That's a screen shot of a Cleveland Samba player after scoring a goal on the wrong end of 21-4 decision.
He didn't celebrate.
He didn't smile.
He just walked back to center circle, defeated.
There were only 4 minutes left in the game, his lungs were probably burning.
(The entire game is on YouTube under the photo. It was the only one of the team's 9 games there).
But that game was 2 months ago. The Cleveland Samba turned their season around and are currently in 2nd place in MASL 3's East Division.
What's so remarkable about that?
Yesterday I didn't know the Cleveland Samba existed.
I didn't know that MASL 3 existed.
How did we get here?
I follow the Cleveland Crunch in the MLIS. (Major League Indoor Soccer)
They are 9-1 and in first place in their league and will be favorites to play for the MLIS Championship in 2 weeks.
I follow the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League), specifically the Milwaukee Wave's Franck Tayou. I believe that Tayou is the greatest active indoor soccer player in America. Unfortunately, Tayou is dogged by drama and teams that can barely stay financially solvent.
What I didn't realize was that the MASL also had "minor" league franchises MASL 2 and MASL 3. Do they follow the promotion/relegation model. Not really.
MASL 3 is where you'll find the aforementioned Samba.
Did I mention the WISL? (Western Indoor Soccer League)
What about the NFPL? (National Futsal Premier League) Technically, that's not indoor soccer, but Futsal.
Right now I can't even wrap my head around the fact that the Cleveland Samba existed right under my nose. I, at the very least, TRY to pay attention to indoor soccer.
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