KC Comets Update: Still-unbeaten Comets set for Saturday soccer showdown in Dallas

The Kansas City Comets retain a flawless record after defeating the Milwaukee Wave twice to close out the 2021 calendar year.

Now a Major Arena Soccer League-best 5-0, the Comets beat the Wave 10-4 in Kansas City and 6-5 two days later on New Year’s Eve in Milwaukee.

The Comets lead the Central Division by 6 points, with a game in hand, and boast a league-best +16 goal differential.

“It is a good start to the season,” player/coach Leo Gibson said. “The guys have been working really hard and we are in a good place, and hopefully we can maintain it. We can’t ask for anything better.”

Next up: Dallas

The Comets play a road game at the Dallas Sidekicks at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Dallas started the season slow with three straight defeats — including a 6-4 loss when the Comets visited in December. Since then, the team has installed a new head coach, added several players and found a groove with three straight wins.

“Dallas is a good team,” Gibson said. “It’s taken some time for them to play together and make the most of what they have. It’s up to us to go out there and really test them for our own identity.“

MASL honors

Comets goalkeeper Nicolau Neto is the MASL Defensive Player of the Month. He’s compiled a 4.60 goals-allowed average, .761 save percentage and 70 saves through five games. The native of Juazeiro Do Norte, Brazil has been a key factor in the Comets’ strong start.

Injury report

Second-year player Henry Ramirez tore his ACL at Milwaukee on Dec. 31 and is out for the season. And veteran midfielder Ramone Palmer has a knee strain. The team is managing his minutes and he may be out for the Dallas match.

After the Sidekicks

Once done in Dallas Saturday, the Comets will hit the road for two more road games, in St. Louis on Jan. 14 and Tacoma on Jan. 16, then head home for a highly anticipated showdown against the Tacoma Stars on Jan. 22 at the downtown T-Mobile Center.

The MASL’s signature match will be played in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention that week at Bartle Hall. It will be the second time the Comets have played at KC’s premiere arena. They played Wichita in 2012 with 9,000 fans in the house.

For tickets to the T-Mobile Center game, visit t-mobilecenter.com (groups of 10 or more can purchase discounted tickets by calling 888-9-COMETS).

This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 10:45 AM.