Ligonier, Indiana's Fox United: Good things come in small sizes sometimes

TAMPA, Florida – Indiana's Fox United – getting to make their debut Dec. 14 in Major Arena Soccer League 3 – is soccer proof that good things come in small packages.

Based out of Ligonier, Indiana, Fox United was founded in 200 by owner Arturo Cabral , and it didn't take long for his club to find success

United joined the Premier Arena Soccer League in 2023 – which along with MASL 3 announced its unification this past summer, creating a new Major Arena Soccer League 3 with 27 franchises – and immediately advanced to the PASL quarterfinals with the smallest roster at the national event.

Their success carried over to the outdoor game as well, with Fox United advanced to the United Premier Soccer League's national Round of 32, with again one of the smallest roster sizes in the field.

Now, the new challenge of conquering MASL 3's Great Lakes North Division – where they will be competing against Detroit Waza Flo, Kalamazoo United and the West Michigan Wrath – is before them. Teams play a 10-game regular season schedule, with playoffs to follow in late March and early April to determine a national champion.

“ We are beyond thrilled about this big move we're doing because it means our players will play at an even bigger stage to be seen,” Carbal said. “It will create a chance for them to possibly get scouted to a higher pro division and that's always been the goal for the club and I.”

M3 Commissioner Chris Economides said the United have already proved to be a determined bunch on and off the field.

“They have accomplished a lot over the last four seasons, and done so with the idea of quality over quantity when it comes to who they have representing them,” Economides said. “It's a great formula, and I expect them to bring that to MASL 3 in what should be a really competitive Midwest Division.”

Fox United is led by captain Alex Barrientos, the team's most capped player, who is the only player on the roster to score in both the PASL Nationals and UPSL playoffs, and Ligonier native Uriel Macias, a striker who played college soccer at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He has also suited up for the Colorado Swtichback in USL Championship, Austraila's Armadale SC in the NSL and the South Bend Lions in USL 2.

Another expected to be a key contributor will be Alann Torres from Elkhart, Indiana, who spent three years as part of the USL Champion League's Indy Eleven, including a year on loan to Madison FC in 2022 which won the USL 1 championship. In 2021, Torres was part of Indy Eleven's USL Academy League team that won the USL Academy League Playoffs in Tampa, Florida, earning First Team All-Tournament honors after scoring two goals and two assists.

Fox United's season opener is Dec. 14 in Kalamazoo. Their home opener is set for Jan. 17 against the West Michigan Wrath. For more information, you can visit the team's social media sites, on Facebook or Instagram. More information on MASL 3 can be found at MASL3.com.