PASL Announces Expansion Team in Inland Empire
May 29, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
The Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) is coming to the Inland Empire.
Ontario Pro Soccer, LLC will operate an expansion team for the 2013-14 season beginning this November. The new team will play at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
The PASL plays a 16-game season with eight home and eight road games. The season runs from November to March and the league's just-completed fifth season featured 19 teams across the country from Harrisburg to San Diego.
Arena soccer, also known as indoor soccer and futbol rapido, is played within the confines of a hockey rink with boards and artificial turf. Like hockey, arena soccer is six-a-side with penalties and power plays.
PASL games have averaged 15 goals per game and teams frequently reach double digits in goals.
The new PASL squad will share Citizens Business Bank Arena with the Ontario Reign hockey team, which has led the ECHL in attendance for several seasons. The arena opened in 2008 and seats 9,736 for hockey and arena soccer.
"We're thrilled to be working with the Bernie Lilavois of Ontario Professional Indoor Soccer. We have the perfect venue in Ontario with a fan base at Citizens Business Bank Arena that we feel will get behind and cheer this team to success," said Steve Eckerson, the general manager of the arena.
Ontario Pro Soccer Team President & Head Coach Bernie Lilavois added, "The Citizens Business Bank Arena management and staff, the city of Ontario and surrounding communities have been so supportive in bringing professional soccer to the Inland Empire. The venue is first class and other local sports teams including the Ontario Reign Pro Hockey Team are great organizations and we are proud to join them in the local sports community."
The organization has launched a name-the-team contest on its Facebook and Twitter pages as well as on the website at www.ontarioprosoccer.com.
• Discuss this story on the Professional Arena Soccer League message board...
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from May 29, 2013
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
