UTICA, N.Y. - While the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) has announced when it will begin its 2020-21 regular season, the wait continues for Utica City FC.
The MASL revealed its schedule for the month of January, which includes six teams taking part in 14 games, beginning on Jan. 2.
UCFC is not among the six set to start in January, as the wait continues for professional sporting events to be opened up to spectators in New York State.
The Dallas Sidekicks, Florida Tropics, Kansas City Comets, San Diego Sockers, St. Louis Ambush, and Tacoma stars are the teams to have committed to game dates throughout the month of January. The full January schedule can be found at MASLsoccer.com.
While not among the group on the initial schedule, Utica City FC has committed to participate in this upcoming season at some point. They will be one of 11 teams taking part in competition.
"It is important for fans of Utica City FC to understand that, due to the [state and local] regulations, we do not anticipate starting quite as soon as other teams that are not located in the Northeast," said Tommy Tanner, UCFC General Manager previously when the team announced its intention to play. "We are working on a plan that will allow for the allotted 12-24 games, and our ultimate hope is that we will be able to have some capacity of fans for our modified season."
The MASL is requiring teams to play a minimum of 12 and maximum of 24 games to participate and qualify for postseason play.
Playoff positioning will be determined by winning percentage of games played by each team due to the potential for an unequal amount of games between teams.
The league said it will continue to announce schedules on a month-to-month basis.