Major Arena Soccer League 2 Second Team All Stars announced

TAMPA, Florida – Post-season honors in Major Arena Soccer League 2 for the 2023-24 season start out with the naming of All Second Team selections, which include four players that advanced to the league’s semi-finals and finals earlier this month. 

Commissioner Chris Economides has revealed the following second team honorees:

>> GOALKEEPER JAKEB MITCHELL, Rochester Lancers – The Lancers advanced to the M2 championship game, and Mitchell was a big reason why as he turned in a tremendous season in goal, finishing with a sensational 3.52 goals against average, the lowest in the seven-year history of the league. He bested the previous mark of 4.89 goals against average turned in during the 2019-20 season by Steven Hamersky of the Wichita Wings. Mitchell was 8-0 in nine game played, and had a saves percentage of .741, third best in M2 this past season. Since the Lancers rejoined M2 two years ago, he is 14-1 overall with a goals against average of 4.15.

>> FORWARD ANGEL LOPEZ, Kansas Bandits – Although the Bandits only managed three wins last year, Lopez was an offensive force, scoring 34 goals, third best in league history for one season, and tied for the league lead in goals in 2023-24 with Rene Loya of Amarillo. The single season mark for goals in a year is 38 held by Mehrshad Ahmadi of the Wings, who set the mark in 2022-23 with the New Mexico Runners. In his two years, Lopez has appeared in 15 M2 contests, with 36 goals and five assists. He had a six-goal game this year against Amarillo on Feb. 3   and a five-goal performance Jan. 14 against El Paso. He had two or more goals in a game eight times this year. 

>> FORWARD RENE LOYA, Amarillo Bombers --A veteran of both the MASL and M2, Loya continues to menace opposing defenses, finishing third in overall points this year, his first with the Bombers, netting 34 goals and adding 10 assists.  Last season he had 19 goals in helping Chihuahua to a league crown. He finished with two goals or more in each of his last 10 straight games and on no less than five different occasions finished with four-goal games. He also had three hat tricks. 

>> FORWARD MEHRSHAD AHMADI, Wichita Wings – Joining the Wings after a record-setting season in New Mexico in 2023-24, Ahmadi did not disappoint in a more balanced Wichita attack, getting 25 goals and adding 10 assists. In what has now been a brilliant three years in M2, he has appeared in 31 games, netting 81 goals and adding 23 assists for 104 points. In 2023-24 He was spectacular in a playoff semi-finals loss to Rochester when he scored five times. During the regular season, he had five hat tricks. 

>> DEFENDER KOFI FORKUOH, Baltimore Arsenal – Forkuoh was a tremendous defensive presence for the first-year Arsenal, and was second overall in M2 this past season with 27 blocked shots. He also chipped in offensive with five goals. Five times this season he had at least three blocks in a game, with his season best of five coming on February 24 against the Rochester Lancers. He also had a two-goal game on March 16, also against the Lancers. 

>> DEFENDER ALAN VALENZUELA, Amarillo Bombers – Valenzuela is a dual threat, an offensive minded defenseman who had 14 goals and nine assists this past season. A long time M2 standout, he has played in 37 career games with 44 goals and 28 assists to go along with 27 blocks, including a career best nine this year. His biggest night came Feb. 3 against Kansas when he scored twice and added three assists. He also had two hat tricks, one against Wichita on January 28 – the Wings only loss of the season – and on Jan. 6 against the Bandits. His best defensive effort came on Dec. 16 against El Paso with four blocks. 

Still to be announced are M2’s First Team, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Award winners were picked by league officials in consultation with select team officials and coaches from around the league.