KC Comets can clinch I-70 Cup Saturday at Cable Dahmer Arena. But first, a clinic
After a bye week, the Kansas City Comets are eager to return to action.
The Major Arena Soccer League team can clinch some rivalry silverware against the St. Louis Ambush on Saturday at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.
The Comets already lead the best-of-five season series against the Ambush 2-0; a win Saturday would clinch the I-70 Series Cup for the 2024-25 season.
After a promising 3-0-1 start to the year, a week with no games gave coach Stefan Stokic some time to reflect. While he would be happier if his team was 4-0, he’s pleased with the start.
The Comets beat the Ambush twice, lost to the Milwaukee Wave in overtime and then demolished the Dallas Sidekicks 9-2.
“At the end of the day, if you ask me if we would be 3-0-1 to start the season, I would take it,” he said. “We still have a lot of things to work on, but we are growing with each game.”
Comets stars Phillip Ejimadu and Chad Vandegriffe earned MASL Goalkeeper of the Week and Defender of the Week honors, respectively, for their performances against Dallas on Dec. 15. The Comets led 4-0 at one point while holding Panamanian legend Blas Perez to just one shot..
“I always enjoy playing against guys who have had exceptional careers,” Vandegriffe said of playing Panama’s second all-time leading scorer. “I really respect guys that I go against who have had such great careers, whether that’s outdoor or indoor. I look forward to those matchups.”
Ejimadu described the locker room as “awesome” and “supportive,” with veteran leadership fueling the Comets’ early-season success.
“That environment is leading me not only to be a better player,” Ejimadu said, “but a better person in life.”
The Comets meet another high-caliber forward on Saturday in St. Louis’ Franck Tayou. The Comets will try to keep MASL’s all-time leading scorer in check to secure the season series for a third consecutive year.
“Whatever we play and compete for, we want to be the best at it,” Stokic said. “For us, the I-70 Cup is important and we want to win it. We are going to try everything to win the game on Saturday and keep the trophy home.”
Holidays with the Comets
On Saturday, the Comets will be hosting a game-day clinic at Cable Dahmer Arena for children grades K-8.
The clinic will run from 10 a.m. until noon before the game against St. Louis. Participants can learn from the pros and also get a ticket to that evening’s game, a T-shirt and mini-ball. To sign up, visit kccomets.com/culvers-clinics.
The team also has a holiday four-pack ticket package for Saturday’s game (buy three tickets, get a fourth free). To access that offer, visit kccomets.com/holiday-special.