KC Comets split season-opening series vs. St. Louis Ambush, announce historic hire

The Kansas City Comets kicked off their 2022-23 Major Arena Soccer League season by splitting a two-game series against the St. Louis Ambush over Thanksgiving weekend.

The Comets trailed for most of the teams’ Black Friday contest in St. Louis. But John Sosa sent a laser to the top corner from distance to equalize at 4-4 late in the match.

Then, Ado Jahic scored the game-winner for the Ambush in overtime.

“We kind of let it slip away from us in overtime,” Comets player-coach Leo Gibson said. “We had our chances in overtime and we missed them. That’s what led to the transition goal.”

Kansas City responded the following night with a staunch defensive effort at Cable Dahmer Arena, resulting in a 4-2 win. A pair of first-quarter goals put the Comets up 2-0, but an Ambush power-play goal late in the half made it 2-1 at halftime.

That 2-1 scoreline held until Gibson gave the Comets a two-goal cushion. Lesia Thetsane scored against the Ambush’s sixth attacker from inside his defensive half.

St. Louis scored a late consolation goal, but KC won 4-2.

“When you give up two goals, that’s a good day,” Sosa said. “Yesterday we gave up five and that’s more than we ever want to give away.”

“Keeping the team to two goals in an indoor game is huge,” goalkeeper Nicolau Neto said. “That’s our big objective is to keep them scoring very few goals, because this way we’ll have a better chance of winning.”

Coming up

The Comets have some time to recover before their next match. They’re back in action on Dec. 10 at the Mesquite (Texas) Outlaws before returning home for a game against the Milwaukee Wave on Dec. 11.

The Comets are hopeful that several players facing travel visa issues will be cleared in time for the trip to Mesquite.

Visit ticketmaster.com for tickets. Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets by calling the Comets at 888-9-COMETS.

History-making coach

The Comets made some league history last week when they announced that KC Current women’s pro-soccer player Jenna Winebrenner has joined their technical staff as an assistant coach.

Winebrenner becomes the first female coach in MASL history.

A Park Hill High graduate, Winebrenner recently completed her rookie season with the KC Current. Now she’ll add another perspective to the Comets’ coaching staff before playing her second year in the National Women’s Soccer League.