Revenge on KC Comets’ mind ahead of Saturday rematch against MASL champion Savage

One game-date stood out from the rest to Kansas City Comets coach Stefan Stokic when the 2024-25 Major Arena Soccer League schedule was released: Jan. 25, 2025.

That day — which arrives this Saturday — is when the Chihuahua Savage visit Cable Dahmer Arena.

Saturday’s matchup at the Comets’ venue in Independence marks KC’s first game against the back-to-back Ron Newman Cup champions since the Mexican side defeated the Comets to win last year’s championship.

Stokic views Saturday’s game as the biggest of the season.

“This is the most exciting one for me,” he said. “All of them have been on my calendar, but that one in particular because of last year’s finals.”

The Comets were swept in two games against Chihuahua in the MASL Finals last year despite having the lead in both contests. Coming so close to lifting the coveted Ron Newman Cup, only to lose both games by a single goal, is a memory that lingers in the Comets’ locker room.

“Nobody has to say anything about this game,” Comets captain Nacho Flores said. “The game itself just motivates us to win it and get revenge.”

Stokic usually tries to keep his coaching about X’s and O’s, but Saturday’s preparation will take on a different tone: “I don’t try to make anything emotional, but this one, I want us to go out there and prove to everybody that we can beat them.”

The Comets have never beaten Chihuahua in five attempts, but Stokic knows his team has the talent.

“We just have to go out there and be the best versions of ourselves,” he said.

Flores wants his team to be more polished and learn from its mistakes.

“We need to be mentally prepared to play this game like it’s a final,” the defender said.

Comets fall 7-4 to San Diego

The Comets suffered a setback last week, losing 7-4 against the San Diego Sockers on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

The Comets dug themselves out of a 3-0 hole in the first half, tying it up at 3-3 in the third quarter. They had the Sockers in a vulnerable position, transforming San Diego turnovers into Kansas City goals, but a critical Comets mistake shifted the momentum.

The Sockers capitalized and pulled away.

“We had them right where we wanted them in the second half, but a mistake and we lost our momentum,” Stokic said. “When we played our game with pressure and possession, we dominated them. The moment we stopped doing that, they were back in the game.”

Saturday’s festivities vs. Chihuahua

Saturday’s game against Chihuahua is perhaps the most anticipated game this season. The excitement is heightened by additional events, including an annual mascot game at halftime, a pre-game clinic and the Teddy Toss.

Children in grades K-8 have their last opportunity to participate in a Culver’s Game Day Clinic from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to the game to throw on the field during the first-quarter media timeout, benefiting sick children.

More information — on the Culver’s Game Day Clinic, the Teddy Toss and how to get tickets — is available at kccomets.com.