KC Comets, on team’s longest winning streak since 2016-17, clinch spot in MASL playoffs
The Kansas City Comets are the second team to clinch a playoff spot in the Major Arena Soccer League’s 2025 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs.
They did so with eight games to spare thanks to Saturday’s 4-3 victory against Utica City FC at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.
It appeared the Comets were cruising to victory when Zach Reget recorded a first-quarter hat trick, but then the scoring stopped. Utica City slowly mounted a comeback, tying the game 3-3 in the third period.
Reget reappeared in a critical moment early in the fourth: The reigning Golden Boot winner became a provider, forcing a turnover in front of his bench before finding first-year midfielder Danny Malhue on the back post for his first career MASL goal.
Malhue’s strike ended up being the goal that sealed the Comets’ playoff berth as they defended brilliantly the rest of the night. Saturday’s victory extended the Comets’ winning streak to eight games, their longest since the 2016-17 season.
Among the key defensive contributors in the second half was Stefan Mijatovic, who the Comets acquired via trade with the Tacoma Stars on Feb. 26. The 6-foot-4 veteran made three blocks with limited minutes in his Comets debut.
“Right now, we saw his display defensively,” Comets coach Stefan Stokic said. “He had a good game. It’s always hard coming into the game in the second half without momentum. I think he managed it well with his experience.”
Less than 24 hours after clinching a playoff spot, the Comets suffered the team’s worst defeat in the MASL era, losing to a fully-rested Milwaukee Wave team 13-3 on Sunday in Milwaukee.
Playoff seeding still in play
Even though the Comets have clinched a playoff spot, they remain focused on getting the highest seed possible for next month’s quarterfinal and semifinal playoff rounds in San Diego.
“Now it’s up to the boys and us to figure out where we finish,” Stokic said. “I’m proud of them and now we’ve got to keep getting better with each game and practice to get one step closer to that title.”
Playoff seeding is as important as ever before for the MASL postseason. The top two and bottom two teams will get a rest day between the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds while seeds 3-6 will play on back-to-back days.
In the Comets’ pursuit of a top-two seed, currently second in the standings, they are looking to win every game possible. All seven games left on the schedule are teams likely to be in the playoffs.
Kansas City will look to start a new winning streak this Friday when they visit to the MASL-leading Chihuahua Savage before returning home on Sunday to host the third-place San Diego Sockers.