The Kansas City Comets prepare to open their indoor soccer season Thanksgiving weekend
The reigning Major Arena Soccer League’s Central Division champs, the Kansas City Comets, are eager to prove they have a league championship-caliber team this season after bowing out in the Ron Newman Cup semifinals the last two years.
One of seven teams vying for five playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the Comets will begin their 24-game schedule over Thanksgiving weekend when they play a home-and-home series with the St. Louis Ambush. The KC leg will be played on the Comets’ home turf: Cable Dahmer Arena.
Heading into his fourth season as Comets head coach, Leo Gibson has high expectations with his eyes set on developing a deeper squad that can win the conference title and make a run to the Ron Newman Cup championship.
After starting 9-1 last season, the Comets finished the year losing nine of 13 games as injuries mounted and the team lost rhythm. Gibson is focused on adding some depth so the team can peak at the right time and maintain a high level of play.
“Last year the issue was overburning guys that were playing more minutes than they should have,” Gibson said. “We are hoping we have enough players this year where we won’t have that issue.”
Much of that depth came in late last season as the Comets prepared for the playoff push.
“A lot of the guys are playing at the same level that they left off,” Gibson said. “Now we just hope guys can stay healthy.”
Much of the main core from last season is back, although Gibson, who previously served in a player-coach role, isn’t sure whether he’ll play or not.
If the team can be successful without Gibson on the field, then he is happy to step away from playing. If the team needs him on the field, he will be available again for that dual role.
The Comets also return goalkeeper Nicolau Neto who has his eyes set on the MASL Goalkeeper of the Year award. Entering his fourth season, Neto hopes he can lead the Comets to the championship and play his first full season after previously playing in a shortened COVID-19 season and dealing with injuries.
“That’s a goal of mine and that’s something we can accomplish,” Neto said. “The main goal is to help the team win games and bring the championship home this year.”
“You can say we had successful seasons,” Neto added. “The difference-maker we need to have this year is paying attention to details and doing everything right on a daily basis.”
This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 2:26 PM.