February 10, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Kansas City Comets News Release
Revenge will be on the mind Friday evening for the Kansas City Comets (6-4-4) as they seek reparation for the way last season ended, losing to the Florida Tropics (7-4-2) in the semifinals. The two sides meet again Friday night at Cable Dahmer Arena for the annual Pink Game.
The Comets will be wearing pink jerseys that will be auctioned off with benefits going to The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation (TAKE).
Meeting in last season’s semifinal round of the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs, the Comets won game one at home before seeing their season come crashing down when they lost game two and the extra-time contest in Florida.
Friday’s matchup will be the first of three games between Florida and Kansas City this season. The Comets visit Florida next Sunday, February 19, before meeting again in KC on March 18. These next two games against Florida could be pivotal in getting the Comets an inside track to a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Comets enter the matchup Friday coming from a thrilling 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Ambush in which rookie forward Junior Kazeem scored his first two goals of the season, including the game-winner inside the last minute, to give the Comets all three points.
The returning presence of John Sosa will be important as the veteran defender is back after serving a one-game suspension. Between Sosa and Lucas Sousa, the duo has combined for 43 points from 21 goals and 22 assists.
Sosa’s return could allow player/coach Leo Gibson to venture forward a little more, contributing 10 goals and eight assists this season.
The Tropics are coming from an 8-4 win over the winless Dallas Sidekicks. Following Friday’s matchup, the Tropics head to St. Louis for a meeting with the Ambush.
Led by head coach Clay Roberts, the Tropics come with some personnel changes. The Tropics added Raphael Araujo in exchange through a trade with Harrisburg that sent Zach Reget and Taylor Bond to the Heat.
Four players with a minimum of 17 points lead Florida’s powerful offense, with Ricardo Carvalho and Victor Parreiras leading the way with 21 points each. Former Comet Kiel Williams also returns to KC, contributing nine goals and three assists in his third season with Florida.
A Comets win in regulation would put both sides level with 23 points. A regulation loss would open the gap up to six points with nine games remaining.
Tickets for Friday’s contest are available at…