Kansas City Comets gave San Diego Sockers their 1st loss in 2 months. Here’s how
The Kansas City Comets delivered their second statement victory in 13 days on Friday, Feb. 7, when they handed the San Diego Sockers their first loss in two months.
Comets coach Stefan Stokic said his side’s first statement victory, a 5-2 win on Jan. 25 against the back-to-back champion Chihuahua Savage, was glossed over too quickly. Kansas City is the only team to hold Chihuahua to two goals in a game all season.
Stokic said the Comets’ 9-6 victory against the Sockers, ending their 10-game winning streak, has sent another statement that cannot be overlooked.
“My boys did not get the credit they deserved,” Stokic said, reflecting on the Comets’ win over Chihuahua. “Tonight, hopefully they do. What was a big statement against Chihuahua is an even bigger statement now. They should get the credit they deserve.”
Trailing 3-2 at halftime, the Comets rode a third-quarter momentum swing to deliver a turnaround victory at Cable Dahmer Arena. Kansas City scored seven goals in the second half against a staunch San Diego defense that previously led the league with 4.2 goals conceded per game.
“That showed a true champion mentality and that should be praised. I’m proud of them for that,” Stokic said of the second-half effort.
For a team that averages 13.1 defensive blocks per game, the Comets have given even greater effort in these two statement victories. They blocked 29 shots against Chihuahua and 32 last week against San Diego, who outshot KC 54-37.
“We’re showing everybody that we are that championship team that we want to be. We’ve got to keep on doing it every day, game in and game out,” Stokic said.
Former San Diego defender Guerrero Pino led the Comets with seven blocks, followed by Chad Vandegriffe’s six. Comets goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu made 16 saves to pick up his seventh win of the season while Ramone Palmer scored twice and assisted once.
Stokic stressed the importance of picking up every point possible as the Comets fight for first place heading into a tough slate in March. Kansas City is tied with Baltimore in third, one point back of second-place San Diego.
MASL All-Star Game
The Comets will have eight representatives at the 2025 Major Arena Soccer League All-Star Game on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York.
Stokic will manage Team Perera, captained by Nick Perera of the Tacoma Stars. He will have Comets defenders Nacho Flores and Chad Vandegriffe in addition to forwards Rian Marques and Zach Reget.
For Team Kelvin, captained by Utica City FC star Kelvin Oliveira, the Comets will be represented by goalkeeper Nicolau Neto and midfielder Leo Acosta. Lastly, Comets color commentator Erik Bergrud will broadcast the game alongside Utica play-by-play voice Ray Biggs.
The festivities begin with a skills competition at 5 p.m. broadcast via MASLtv on YouTube and the game at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Golazo Network.
KC Comets host St. Louis for Retro Night
The Comets are back in action for the I-70 Series finale against the St. Louis Ambush at Cable Dahmer Arena on Sunday, Feb. 16.
The Comets will honor their history with the annual Retro Night festivities as they wear blue throwback uniforms from the 1990-91 season, which will be autographed and auctioned off. The Comets will also welcome back past players and personnel from throughout the professional indoor soccer history in Kansas City.
Tickets for Sunday’s Retro Night matchup are available at kccomets.com/tickets.