Professional Arena Soccer League Update
December 24, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
Four Cities Selected to Compete to Host Newman Cup Final Four
12/24/13 - The Professional Arena Soccer League today announced four possible sites for this year's Newman Cup Final Four.
The four markets are three-time host San Diego, Dallas, Ontario, and Chicago. The sites were initially determined based on several factors including venue availability and suitability. The potential hosts will be evaluated based on attendance, accessibility and the teams' competitive history. The final determination will take place in mid-January.
The top three teams in each division will qualify for the 2014 Newman Cup Playoffs. In the host team's division, the three top teams other than the host will qualify, creating a total field of 10 playoff teams.
In each division the division winner (or next best team other than the host), will get a first round bye. The #3 seed will play at #2 and the winner of that game will play at the #1 seed. The three divisional playoff winners will join the host team in the Final Four. All rounds of the playoffs will be single elimination.
"Having an uneven number of divisions this year created some scheduling challenges when it came to the playoffs," said PASL Commissioner Kevin Milliken. "With the format we settled on, however, we are going to be able to have our Final Four in a first class venue and give our host city enough time to plan and promote a truly memorable weekend for the semifinals and the Newman Cup Final."
Player of the Week
Tom Mellor, Harrisburg Heat
At just 23 Tom Mellor is the PASL Heat's franchise leader in points. When the Heat played their hottest rival Saturday, Mellor turned it up and notched five goals and an assist against the Detroit Waza Flo in a thrilling 9-8 victory. With Mellor out of the lineup with an injury, his absence was felt in a 12-4 road loss at Cleveland the next day. Mellor is tied for 9th in the PASL with 19 points in just six games.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Waza-Heat Rivalry Gains Momentum
The Detroit Waza Flo went 14-2 last year, but now have lost three of their last four meetings with the Harrisburg Heat. Saturday's game in Harrisburg was another contentious battle that was both high scoring and high tempered. After Val Teixeira scored the go ahead goal with 19 seconds left, Detroit goalkeeper Joey Kapinos and Heat midfielder David Schofield both had to be restrained and Detroit's Darrell Quinn was given a red card. The teams meet for the fourth and final time this season on January 12 in Detroit.
Waza Eliminated from US Open Championship Repeat
The Heat's win Saturday also counted as a US Open game, meaning Harrisburg advances to play Cleveland on December 28 and the defending champion Waza have been eliminated from the tournament. In other action the Chicago Mustangs advanced past the AAC Eagles and the Tulsa Revolution-BH United game was postponed for a second time due to wintry weather.
Fauxhawk-Free Farber Faster and Furious-er
Brian Farber, playing without his signature hair style for the first time, earns honorable mention this week for his tenacious penalty killing against the Turlock Express in a 9-6 win, the Sockers fifth straight. With San Diego clinging to a 6-5 lead, the Express gained a 5v3 power play after two separate Sockers penalties. With the lead in jeopardy, Farber came up with two big sliding blocks, including one where he chased the play back the length of the field after an offensive run. Farber also pressured goalkeeper Javier Rosales into a turnover and the Sockers killed the power play and never relinquished the lead.
The Week Ahead
Sacramento Turlock Fri, Dec 27 7:05 pm Turlock IS
Tulsa Dallas Fri, Dec 27 7:35 pm Allen EC
Texas Tulsa Sat, Dec 28 6:05 pm Cox Business
Cleveland Harrisburg Sat, Dec 28 7:05 pm Farm Show
Cincinnati Detroit Sat, Dec 28 7:05 pm Melvindale
Illinois Chicago Sat, Dec 28 7:05 pm Grand Sports
Ontario San Diego Sat, Dec 28 7:05 pm VV Casino Arena
Sacramento Bay Area Sat, Dec 28 8:00 pm Cabernet Indoor
Dallas Hidalgo Sun, Dec 29 5:05 pm State Farm
All times Eastern
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 24, 2013
- Harrisburg Heat's Tom Mellor PASL Player of the Week - Harrisburg Heat
- Professional Arena Soccer League Update - PASL
- Harrisburg Heat Weekly - Harrisburg Heat
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