Iowa Raptors, OKC Certified Lions to kick off 10th anniversary season in Midwest

TAMPA, Florida -- The 10th anniversary season of Major Arena Soccer League 2 play will kick off in the Midwest Division with the Iowa Raptors hosting the OKC Certified Lions at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids on December 5. 

The Raptors, who drew some big crowds to their arena last season, will have their hands full with OKC. The Raptors got off to a strong start last season, but settled for a 6-6 season. The Lions, however, roared to a second place finish in the South Division, with a mark of 10-2.

The Lions will have their home opener in Oklahoma City on Saturday, January 23 when the second-year Texas Spurs come to town. The Spurs, who play in suburban Dallas, will be at home for the first time on January 3 when they host OKC.

New to the league this year are the Chicago Mustangs, even though they have a storied MASL 2 history. They won the first ever MASL 2 title, and were one of the league's best teams in the first four years of play. Returning for the 2026-27 campaign, the Mustangs will debut at the Grand Sports Arena on Sunday, January 10 when they welcome in the Texas Spurs. 

The powerful Iowa Demon Hawks will be the last of the five to have their home opener, which also serves as their season opener, on Friday, January 19, against the Texas Spurs. Iowa was 12-0 in the regular season, and fell to the Harrisburg Heat in last spring's national title game.

Each MASL 2 team will play a 12-game schedule -- six home and six road games -- with a national playoffs to conclude the year in early spring. For the latest in league information, visit www.masl2.com.