Comets Heading Down Home Stretch

Last weekend saw the Comets end a long home winning streak for Baltimore, MD and then 15 hours later, lose a tough game in front of over 10,000 fans in Rochester, NY. This weekend doesn't get any easier for them as they head down the stretch towards the playoffs. Friday night, Missouri faces the Rochester Lancers at home for the third time in four games. Then they turn around and head to Milwaukee for a crucial match against the league leading Wave.

The Comets have played to both extremes against the Rochester Lancers. Leo Gibson set a new MISL record with 16 points as he led the team to a 30-17 victory in Independence on January 19th, but the team fell behind 15-0 in Rochester last Sunday and eventually lost 17-8.

Only 15 hours elapsed between a hard fought victory in Baltimore last Saturday evening and the kickoff 350 miles away on Sunday afternoon in Rochester. With no travel involved and the return of leading scorer, Byron Alvarez, this should be a much different game than what was played last weekend. Leo Gibson, originally just filling in for the injured/suspended Alvarez, has scored 30 points over the last four games and found a permanent position on the Comets front line. Combined with Alvarez's 60 points, Missouri hopes to take full advantage of their offense and overpower the Lancers defense.

The team travels to Wisconsin on Saturday to take on the Milwaukee Wave. Including playoffs, the Comets have faced the Wave more than any other team in the MISL. Although Milwaukee has a better overall record, the teams have been evenly matched recently. They have played each other twice this season with the home team winning each match. The Wave are currently on top of the league table with a 15-2 record, but seven of their games have been decided by two points or less, including two overtime games.

Friday night's game at the Independence Events Center is the return of the World-Famous Mascot Game. Calvin the Comets Canine, KC Wolf, Sluggerrr, and over 35 other mascots will play an exciting and hilarious soccer exhibition at halftime. Kickoff is at 7:35pm.