By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

The Major Arena Soccer League will be expanding in the not-too-distant future.

Former Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Thursday announced that he will be a part owner of an expansion team along with Rob Striar, the CEO of Bull Horn Holding and president of M Style Marketing.

M Style Marketing is a strategy, marketing and branding firm specializing in sports, entertainment and consumer products.

“I am happy to join the best indoor soccer league in the world. As everyone knows,” Ronaldinho said on Twitter. “I am passionate about the game and about life and I look forward to having fun with this venture. As a MASL (Major Arena Soccer League) franchise OWNER, my goals are to use my position to increase even further the League’s popularity in the USA and around the world, to help improving the already high level of playing and to bring joy and happiness to all supporters, especially the children. See you soon.”

Striar, who is based in New York, according to his biography, echoed the Brazilian’s sentiments.

“Excited to announce Ronaldihno (@10Ronaldinho) as an expansion team partner in Major Arena Soccer League @MASLarena,” Striar wrote on Twitter. “The best indoor soccer game keeps getting better! Looking forward to what’s next! @MStyleMarketing Thank you @ShepMessing1 and all of MASL #soccer”

Messing, who backstopped the New York Arrows to four consecutive Major Indoor Soccer League championships as a goalkeeper, is the MASL chairman.

The location of the expansion team was not announced.

The MASL, which has 12 teams, will hold Game Two of its championship series on Sunday, when the San Diego Sockers host the Florida Tropics. The Sockers won Game One on Monday night in Lakeland, Fla., 6-3.

Many indoor soccer fans have yearned for a team to return to the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., where the Arrows called home. The team folded after the 1983-84 season.

It will be interesting to see where the expansion team winds up.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.