December 29, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Kansas City Comets News Release
The Kansas City Comets (5-1-0) enter enemy territory in the I-70 Series for the first time this season when they face the St. Louis Ambush (1-4-1) on Sunday afternoon to conclude the 2023 calendar year.
Both sides are coming from Thursday’s matchup at Cable Dahmer Arena, where the Comets pulled out a 6-4 win. Previously coming from their first loss of the season, the Comets responded well thanks to a hat trick and four-point performance from defender John Sosa and two goals from rookie midfielder Leo Acosta.
Zach Reget scored the game-winner against STL and is now the only player with multiple game-winning goals in the MASL. He is also the Eastern Conference’s leading scorer, scoring in all six games this season for a total of 11 goals. Sosa is just behind with 13 points and seven assists.
Nicolau Neto retained his unbeaten record in Thursday’s win, now off to a 5-0 start for the second time in his career. Neto is on pace for some career bests as the Brazilian netminder has a goals against average of 3.64 and has stopped 80% of shots.
The Comets will still be without defender Berto Palmer (right knee contusion) and forward Rian Marques (right thigh strain), although both are progressing and could return to the field in January.
Already 2-0 against the Ambush, the Comets now enter murky waters at The Family Arena. Kansas City dropped points in all three trips down Interstate 70 last season with all three requiring an overtime verdict, only winning one of the three.
The Ambush displayed their never-say-die attitude last season as they forced two of last season’s matches to overtime by scoring game-tying goals in the last 30 seconds. In the other game in STL last season, the Comets extended the game to OT before losing it.
Will Eskay was STL’s biggest offensive threat on Thursday, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He became the first Ambush player to hit 10 points with seven goals
and three assists. Robbie Kristo is also among STL’s leaders with seven goals, while Billy Stimac has a more evenly dispersed scoring effort with three goals and four assists.
Ali Sodal (knee), Jason Payne (knee) and Jose Ogaz (thumb) are all still listed as questionable for St. Louis.
The Comets are looking to stay unbeaten on the road this season, entering the matchup with a 2-0 away record while the Ambush are 1-2 on home turf.
The Comets return home on Saturday, January 6 as they welcome…