Kansas City Comets clinch MASL playoff berth with road rout of St. Louis Ambush
Postseason soccer is returning to Cable Dahmer Arena.
The Kansas City Comets have clinched a spot in the 2024 Ron Newman Cup Playoffs. The Comets confirmed their fourth straight postseason berth on Sunday, when they cruised to an 11-5 victory on the road against the St. Louis Ambush.
The Comets extended their winning streak to a season-high five games and have scored 11 times for the second straight game. Sunday’s win came without key target forward Rian Marques and midfielders Henry Ramirez and Lalo Alonso.
“The boys showed up today,” Comets coach Stefan Stokic said. “We’re finally executing and scoring goals consistently.”
The Comets displayed their efficiency early in the game. Lucas Sousa scored 94 seconds in, and Zach Reget notched his 200th career point with a goal 41 seconds later. The Ambush managed to cool the Comets until Sousa scored again later in the first quarter to make it 3-0.
The Comets opened a five-goal cushion in the second quarter as Ramone Palmer scored twice to give the visitors a 6-1 halftime lead. Sousa finished his hat trick in the third period period, and rookie midfielder Mikey Lenis secured the win with a second-half hat trick.
It was the Comets’ largest margin of victory in St. Louis since 2018. The Ambush’s Family Arena has caused the Comets great discomfort in recent years, but KC overcame those recent stumbles to earn its biggest victory since the season opener.
While disappointed to concede five goals, Stokic was proud of his team for securing a spot in the playoffs.
“Achieving that first goal is very important and satisfying for us,” Stokic said. “What’s important is that we clinched playoffs and now we’re getting ready for the next opponent.”
The Comets will close out the regular season on Saturday at home against the San Diego Sockers.
The Comets can still earn a higher playoff seed and avoid the undefeated Monterrey Flash. Currently fourth in MASL’s Eastern Conference, the Comets hope to finish second or third but would need Utica City FC or Milwaukee Wave to lose out.
No matter the final playoff seeding, the Comets are riding a wave of momentum amid their five-game winning streak.
“I look at the playoffs as another season. Anything can happen,” Stokic said.
