Comets update: Gibson scores 4, makes history in downtown match; KC hosts Dallas next
.jpg "Fans hold up a sign behind Comets player/coach Leo Gibson, center, during the club’s 9-2 victory over the Tacoma Stars on Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City. Gibson had four goals in the match; Kevin Ellis, right, scored a goal, as well.")
The Kansas City Comets defeated the Tacoma Stars 9-2 on Saturday in a special Major Arena Soccer League match at the T-Mobile Center in downtown KC.
Comets player/coach Leo Gibson added to the evening’s festive atmosphere by recording his 200th MASL goal and 400th MASL point.
“It’s an honor, a privilege,” he said. “I feel blessed, doing it on this stage with the group of guys I’m doing it with and the position I’m in.”
The game was played in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention at Bartle Hall. The convention featured a symposium with MASL commissioner Keith Tozer, league president of communications/media JP Dellacamera and others.
“I think everything about tonight was fantastic,” Tozer said of the downtown match. “The crowd was great, the announcers were great. ...
“From Wednesday until Sunday, it was not only a great win for the Comets, but it was a great win for the game of indoor soccer and the Major Arena Soccer League.”
Comets dominate
Gibson scored four times against the Stars, but it was KC’s Rian Marques who scored the opening goal just 33 seconds in.
Gibson’s 200th MASL goal made it 2-0. Former Sporting KC player Kevin Ellis found the net and Gibson scored his second and third goals after that. The Comets led 5-0 and Gibson had his 36th hat trick by halftime.
In the second half, Gibson netted goal number four and rookie Lesia Thetsane scored his first two MASL goals; a strike by Lucas Sousa completed the Comets’ scoring.
Goalkeeper remembers
Tacoma goalkeeper Danny Waltman played for the Comets about a decade ago, so he has experienced the fun of playing for them and the frustration of playing against them.
“I’ve had some rough nights in my 17 years,” he said after Saturday’s game. “That was right up there with one of the roughest.
“To come back in this big awesome arena against my old club feels like home. And then I remembered how bad the Comets used to beat people. Being on the other side of it is not nearly as fun.”
Comets play Dallas next
With their 9-2 win Saturday, the Comets improved to 8-1 with 24 points and a +29 goal differential.
The Comets play the Dallas Sidekicks at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence at 7 p.m. this Saturday.