TACOMA, WA— The Tacoma Stars are back this Saturday night as they host Soles De Senora at the Kent ShoWare Center at 6:05 PM in Major Arena Soccer League action.

The ShoWare will feature a new surface while the MASL features a new alignment. The Western Conference’s Pacific Division will be the Ontario Fury, San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars and Turlock Express.

The Stars come into the year fresh off a playoff appearance during the 2015-16 season, their first full season in the league. Returning to the club are MASL Coach of the Year Darren Sawatzky and MASL Goalkeeper of the Year Danny Waltman.

Added to the squad are locals Alex Megson and Evan McNeely. Returners include Elliot Fauske and Dan Antoniuk. See the current Stars roster here.

(Cover photo: Stars versus Sonora last season, by Jeff Halstead.)

We're throwing an assuredly spooky costume contest on field at halftime on Saturday. Get your ensembles ready. https://t.co/DsYL66ioyI pic.twitter.com/Uau3nVQYzZ — Tacoma Stars (@TacomaStarsSC) October 25, 2016

The Stars held an intersquad scrimmage over the weekend at the Tacoma Soccer Center. Players from the MASL roster saw action along with guys training with the club and likely to feature in the Stars Reserves which compete in the Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL.)

Rule Changes

The MASL recently announced a few rule changes for the new season. They mainly focus on player safety.

“The MASL worked hard this off season to ensure our players are safe on our fields during game play. After analyzing other successful leagues in regards to concussion protocols, we are satisfied that the precautions we have installed will ensure player safety as much as possible. Along with the rest of the rules, the MASL has once again taken another step forward moving into this season,” said MASL Commissioner Joshua Schaub.

Danny Waltman's hitting the phones, asking one simple question: Do you have your tickets for Saturday's season opener? #WhatAFeelin' pic.twitter.com/h3XGYwkKd5 — Tacoma Stars (@TacomaStarsSC) October 24, 2016

Away Kits

The Stars recently revealed new away kits.

Another MASL club is also updating their look, this time by going back in time. The Missouri Comets have rebranded as the Kansas City Comets and will wear uniforms the club wore when the name was previously used.

New Clubs

There are two new clubs in the MASL this year: Florida Tropics and El Paso Coyotes. The Stars will not face either new club during the regular season. Instead, Tacoma’s home matches outside of their division will be against Sonora, Atletico Baja, Cedar Rapids, St. Louis and Chicago.

Gone from the MASL this season are the Sacramento Surge, Las Vegas Legends, Detroit Waza Flo, Brownsville Barracudas, and Saltillo Rancho Seco.