Sliwa, Flores Will Be in Goal for MASL International Challenge

by Jim Fossell

St. Charles, MO (June 8, 2017) – The first two goalkeepers to be selected for the Major Arena Soccer League’s International Challenge were named today. Florida Tropics goalkeeper Piotr Sliwa will be between the pipes for the US team, while Chicago Mustangs goalie Jesus Flores will mind the net for the World team. The International Challenge is a special exhibition contest featuring stars from across the MASL squaring off in a “US versus the World” format. It is slated for Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. 

Sliwa, a native of Debica, Poland, moved to the US when he was ten years old. He is a three-year indoor soccer veteran, having played for the Seattle Impact, Tacoma Stars, Ontario Fury, St. Louis Ambush and Florida Tropics. He compiled a 8-9 record with the Tropics last season with a 6.81 goals against average and a .656 save percentage. 

Flores hails from Guadalaja, Mexico and is an original member of the Mustangs franchise. He has been the team’s starting goalkeeper for five seasons. Flores has posted an impressive win-loss record of 58-28 over those five seasons. He was a key contributor to the Mustangs’ undefeated (16-0) regular season in 2013-14, when the team went on to win the Ron Newman Cup and Flores was awarded the Aaron Susi Trophy as the MVP of the postseason. He posted a 10-7 record last season, with a 6.59 goals against average and a .690 save percentage. 

The final player announcement for the International Challenge is scheduled for tomorrow. Each MASL team was invited to nominate their players for the International Challenge match and the International Challenge committee has selected the rosters.

Leading up to this year’s International Challenge, the Ambush will host the 2017 MASL Player Combine on Friday, June 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Combine will give potential players from all over the chance to work out in front of coaches and team representatives from across the league, and have the chance to earn an invite to a preseason MASL camp. Four players from the combine will also be selected to participate in the International Challenge game that night. For more information and registration for the combine, visit stlambush.com or call the Ambush office at 636.477.6363.

Tickets for the MASL International Challenge are now on sale. Prices start at $12, with group prices starting at $10. To purchase visit the Family Arena box office, Metrotix.com or call the St. Louis Ambush at 636.477.6363.

For up-to-date information about the International Challenge and the players participating, visit the St. Louis Ambush website at stlambush.com and the Major Arena Soccer League’s website at maslsoccer.com.