KC Comets Shine Bright in Home Opener

A chilly and highly anticipated December evening kicked off the first home game of the 2024/25 MASL season for the Kansas City Comets. It was filled with passionate competition, promising some memorable “Hot Winter Nights” ahead of us. In our coverage of the balanced artistry behind arena sports, this is where the Kansas City Comets and St Louis Ambush competed at their first encounter inside the esteemed Cable Dahmer Arena (Independence, MO).

Players rocketed off the boards, balls were sent flying into the record books and memories were made for Heartland Soccer Association (HSA) division winners, who received medals for winning their respectful age divisions, all on the ‘Blue Turf field’ before the first whistle. This encompassed an amazing match-field experience of walking the pitch and stamping memories of success in their hearts and establishing quality experiences for such gifted young student-athletes of KC.

After a dominating win on Friday, early mistakes plagued the Comets. They gifted turnovers and unexpected opportunities to the opposing Ambush squad. it was an unusually low-scoring first quarter with a lone goal gifted to Tayou off a deflection from a Comet defender. The game seemed off its usual vigor and robust nature, it being the home opener. Nerves were high and tensions rose on both squads.

Thetsane netted his first home goal (10:21 left in Q2) of the season with a stolen ball in the attacking third, juking the defender for an upper 90 blast (1-1).

Tayou assisted William Eskay for a goal (9:22 left in Q2) (1-2) but soon after Phillip Ejimadu (GK) responded with confidence, distributing a thrown ball the length of the pitch, assisting scorer Reget with 7:50 remaining in Q2 (2-2).

(6:40 left in Q2) This moment resembled an astounding culture shift where the teams adapted something impactfully tactical, including another tap in goal by Austin (2-3). This moment in the match feels as if the Comets sunk into a space and how do they grind forward from that experience? Becoming a validation of fouls, Tayou received his first 4 totaled-foul card for penalty (STL – penalty 00:40:61 left in Q2).

HALFTIME SCORE UPDATES: 2 (KC) – 3 (STL)

Five minutes into the third, Reget nets an absolute banger left-footed goal under an outstretched Nascimento but was briefly injured in the play. He manages to walk off the pitch and would return later in the match (3-3).

Thetsane grew more engaged, created opportunities for himself and others with a powerhouse work rate leading the charge; (9:15 left in Q3) Marquez with attacking movement forward into final 3rd, pass connected with Palmer confirmed tap in goal around an exposed STL defense; Comets goal (4-3).

Breakthrough run into the slotted goal by Acosta, low corner from movement off ball; Comets tie score (4-4).

Ejimadu strikes again with his second assist of the game for second goal (6:02 left in Q3) by Acosta; End of Q3 (5-4).

Start of Q4; Highest intensity witnessed in MASL matchup this season; Ejimadu made multiple head standing saves to keep this match alive and Comets in commanding lead.

Streaky goal by Acosta (5:15 left in Q4), assisted by Reget (6-4); Immediately responded with another Palmer goal (4:49 left in Q4) sliding classy shot under STL defense (7-4).

P. Nascimento (2:00 penalty) for recovering outside of the box with handball; awarded Comets dribble-up penalty for Marquez goal (4:40 left in Q4).

Final box score KC 8 – St Louis 4.

The match between Kansas City and St Louis started off chippy and nervous, deciphering the opponent’s next move. Regarding the matchup at hand, it was a brilliant evening for the ages and MASL soccer. It is a slice in time to prove that the KC Comets belong at the forefront of MASL Championship contention.

The Ambush will recover after the Comets prevailed and regroup for the rematch of next ‘I-70 Showdown’. Kansas City Comets’ next match will take at the Milwaukee Wave this coming weekend, Saturday 12/7/24 @ 6:05 cst.