The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) has launched Play with Heart, a monthlong league-wide initiative encouraging fans to learn Hands-Only CPR and join the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement. The initiative aims to address the critical statistic that 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, often because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time.
Launching during American Heart Month, Play with Heart supports the American Heart Association's CPR awareness outreach by using MASL's national platform and each team's regional reach to educate communities. Throughout February, MASL clubs will hold in-arena activations and share educational resources and public service messages encouraging fans to learn and practice compression-only CPR. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.
"We are grateful for efforts that help more people feel confident recognizing a cardiac emergency and taking action," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. The Heart Association, which publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR, states that Hands-Only CPR can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response. The simple technique involves calling 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.
As part of the initiative, each MASL team will designate one Play with Heart game during the month. Players will wear commemorative red armbands to highlight the campaign, and eight team-signed armbands will be auctioned by the league, with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. Scheduled games include matches on February 5, 14, 16, 21, 22, and 27 featuring teams like Utica City FC, Empire Strykers, St. Louis Ambush, Baltimore Blast, San Diego Sockers, Kansas City Comets, Tacoma Stars, and Milwaukee Wave.
"Indoor soccer is fast, physical and driven by community support - just like the response needed in a cardiac emergency," said Keith Tozer, commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League. "Play with Heart is about helping fans understand that quick action, including Hands-Only CPR, can save a life and is simple to do." During the campaign, MASL clubs will also spotlight heart health messaging during games, on broadcasts and across digital channels.
The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to player safety, fan well-being and positive community impact. The American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement intends to double survival rates by 2030. Individuals can learn how to save a life in just 90 seconds by visiting heart.org/nation to join the movement or access Hands-Only CPR resources at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
