TheKansas City Comets were a professionalindoor soccer team based for most of its existence inKansas City, Missouri. They played in the originalMajor Indoor Soccer League (MISL; later the Major Soccer League) from 1979–1991, when they folded. They played their home games inKemper Arena.
The team originated as theDetroit Lightning, which joined the MISL as anexpansion team in the1979–1980 season. After a year inDetroit the team relocated toSan Francisco, California, becoming theSan Francisco Fog. They moved to Kansas City in 1981, where they remained for ten years. In Kansas City the team went to the league playoffs seven times, advancing to the division finals three times.
In 1979 theMajor Indoor Soccer League placed an expansion franchise inDetroit, Michigan. The team, then known as theDetroit Lightning, failed to make the playoffs, and at the end of the season were purchased by entrepreneur David Schoenstadt, later the founder ofDiscovery Zone. Schoenstadt relocated the team toSan Francisco, California, where they were renamed theSan Francisco Fog. They again failed to make the playoffs in the1980–1981 season, and Schoenstadt moved the team once more, this time toKansas City, Missouri, rebranding them the Kansas City Comets.
The Comets failed to qualify for the playoffs in the1981–1982 season, but were thereafter consistent playoff contenders, making a total of seven playoff appearances in ten seasons. They advanced to the quarterfinals in1985, the division semifinals in1987, and the division finals in1988,1990, and1991. They had enjoyed a strong attendance in their early years, but ticket sales declined later in their run, dropping from an average high of 15,786 in the 1983–1984 season to a low of 7,103 in the 1990–1991 season. Though they finished second in the league in their last two seasons of operations, the Comets could not withstand the drop in revenue, and folded at the end of the 1990–1991 season.
The Comets were followed the next season by theKansas City Attack of theNational Professional Soccer League; this team was known as the "Kansas City Comets" from 2001–2005. In 2010 theMissouri Comets, based in nearbyIndependence, joined the newMajor Indoor Soccer League, carrying on the legacy of the original Comets.
Stars and fan favorites includedEnzo Di Pede,Billy Gazonas,Gino Schiraldi,Greg Makowski,Victor Petroni,Jan Goossens, Damir Haramina,Kia,Dale Mitchell,Alan Mayer,Zoran Savic,Jim Schwab,Gordon Hill,Tasso Koutsoukos,Manny Schwartz,David Doyle,Barry Wallace,Tim Clark,Elson Seale,Yilmaz Orhan, andTy Keough as well as coachesPat McBride andRick Benben.
Terry Fisher (1979–80)Johnny Moore (1980–81)Luis Dabo (1981) 2 Wins 7 LossesPat McBride (1981–84) 63 Wins 80 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 5 Losses/No Series Wins, 2 Series Losses)Rick Benben (1984–87) 47 Wins 57 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 3 Losses/1 Series Win, 1 Series Loss)
Niki Nikolic (1987-Interim) 1 Win 3 Losses
Dave Clements (1987–91) 124 Wins 111 Losses (Postseason: 18 wins 16 Losses/3 Series Wins, 4 Series Losses)Johnny Moore (1981)Tony Simoes (1981–82)Rick Benben (1982–84)Billy Gazonas (1984–86)Niki Nikolic (1986–87)
Tony Glavin (1988–89)| Year | League | Record | Reg. season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–80 | MISL | 15–17 | 3rd Central Division | 1st Round | 3,520 |
| Year | League | Record | Reg. season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–81 | MISL | 11–29 | 4th West | Opted out of playoffs | 4,588 |
| Year | Division | League | Reg. season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–82 | Western | MISL | 6th | out of playoffs | 11,058 |
| 1982–83 | Western | MISL | 3rd | 1st Round | 14,692 |
| 1983–84 | Western | MISL | 4th | 1st Round | 15,786 |
| 1984–85 | Western | MISL | 4th | Quarterfinals | 12,917 |
| 1985–86 | Western | MISL | 5th | out of playoffs | 12,428 |
| 1986–87 | Western | MISL | 2nd | Division Semifinals | 12,447 |
| 1987–88 | Western | MISL | 3rd | Division Finals | 11,211 |
| 1988–89 | N/A | MISL | 7th | out of playoffs | 9,228 |
| 1989–90 | Eastern | MISL | 2nd | Division Finals | 10,475 |
| 1990–91 | Eastern | MSL | 2nd | Division Finals | 7,103 |
Rookie of the Year
Coach of the Year
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Marco Antonio Abascal (1981–82) 7 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
Laurie Abrahams (1985–86) 55 Apps 38 Goals 35 AssistsTom Alioto (1982–1984) 26 Apps 1 Goal 6 AssistsGary Amlong (1981–1983) 68 Apps 9 Goals 15 AssistsEd Anibal (1989–90) 38 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsChad Ashton (1990–91) 44 Apps 9 Goals 11 AssistsJohn Bain (1986–87) 43 Apps 26 Goals 27 Assists
Mike Bakic (1981–82) 20 Apps 10 Goals 4 AssistsBoris Bandov (1983–1985) 34 Apps 1 Goal 6 AssistsNebo Bandovic (1989–90) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsPetar Baralic (1984–85) 17 Apps 5 Goals 6 Assists
Porfirio Armando Betancourt (1987–88) 48 Apps 5 Goals 8 AssistsDavid Boncek (1985–1990) 230 Apps 36 Goals 21 AssistsBarney Boyce (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsBob Bozada (1982–83) 22 Apps 1 Goal 1 AssistDavid Brcic (1989) GK-16 Apps 8 wins 8 lossesCliff Brown (1983–84) GK-4 Apps 1 Win 2 Losses
Jens Busk (1986–87) 13 Apps 1 Goal 4 AssistsDavid Butler (1981–82) 15 Apps 8 Goals 5 Assists
Cacho (1986–1988) 40 Apps 10 Goals 8 AssistsCharlie Carey (1982–83; 1984–85) 92 Apps 36 Goals 19 Assists
Gerald "Magic" Celestin (1981–82) 12 Apps 2 Goals 1 AssistJohn Cerin (1985) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
Engin Cinar (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 AssistsTim Clark (1982–1987) 191 Apps 20 Goals 38 AssistsGary Collier (1987) 25 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
Graziano Cornolo (1983–84) 26 Apps 5 Goals 3 AssistsStan Cummins (1988–89) 48 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
Val DeSouza (1981–82) 48 Apps 12 Goals 8 AssistsAngelo DiBernardo (1985–86) 48 Apps 22 Goals 17 AssistsZoran Dimitrijević (1986) 8 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsEnzo Di Pede (1981–1986) GK-114 Apps 39 Wins 65 Losses
John Dolinsky (1981–82) 20 Apps 4 Goals 5 AssistsMike Dowler (1989–1991) GK 57 Apps 29 Wins 26 Losses
David Doyle (1987–1991) 132 Apps 79 Goals 38 AssistsChris Duke (1989–1991) 71 Apps 2 Goals 2 AssistsTed Eck (1988–1991) 100 Apps 38 Goals 26 AssistsJorge Espinoza (1986–87) 47 Apps 7 Goals 3 AssistsCharlie Fajkus (1984–1987) 120 Apps 57 Goals 49 AssistsIvair Ferreira (1981–82) 14 Apps 5 Goals 3 AssistsMiguel Filardo (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 AssistsJoe Filla (1981–1983) 40 Apps 3 Goals 6 AssistsIain Fraser (1986–91) 206 Apps 19 Goals 31 AssistsMark Frederickson (1981–1985) 153 Apps 38 Goals 33 AssistsKeith Fulk (1985–86) 13 Apps 0 Goals 2 AssistsKeith Furphy (1985–86) 29 Apps 22 Goals 17 AssistsScott Gaither (1990–91) 1 App 0 Goals 0 AssistsPedro Gano (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsBilly Gazonas (1982–1984) 55 Apps 9 Goals 13 AssistsGeorge Gibbs (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 2 AssistsEd Gettemeier (1986–1989) GK-51 Apps 21 Wins 31 LossesTony Glavin (1988–89; 1990–91) 29 Apps 4 Goals 4 Assists
Jan Goossens (1986–1991) 227 Apps 221 Goals 237 AssistsJim Gorsek (1989–1991) GK-48 Apps 27 Wins 19 LossesGerry Gray (1989–90) 12 Apps 3 Goals 6 AssistsWarren Green (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 AssistsCharley Greene (1986–1988) 93 Apps 21 Goals 20 AssistsClive Griffiths (1981–1985) 112 Apps 2 Goals 20 Assists
Albert Guðmundsson (1982–83) 11 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
Winston Hackett (1981–82) 8 Apps 2 Goals 2 AssistsKevin Handlan (1981–1985) 129 Apps 15 Goals 17 AssistsDamir Haramina (1985–1989) 143 Apps 111 Goals 65 AssistsJohn Hayes (1983–84) 41 Apps 12 Goals 12 AssistsGordon Hill (1983–84) 49 Apps 50 Goals 28 AssistsAustin Hudson (1981–82) 2 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsChris Hundelt (1987–88) 20 Apps 3 Goals 4 AssistsKevin Hundelt (1988–1991) 143 Apps 43 Goals 30 AssistsGreg Ion (1988–1990) 99 Apps 48 Goals 33 Assists
Emilio John (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
Michel Kaham (1986) 7 Apps 0 Goals 1 AssistTom Kain (1986–1991) 129 Apps 12 Goals 14 AssistsChris Kenny (1988–89) 46 Apps 4 Goals 5 AssistsTy Keough (1985–86) 41 Apps 2 Goals 1 AssistJohn Klein (1990–91) 34 Apps 4 Goals 10 AssistsTasso Koutsoukos (1983–86, 1987–88) 180 Apps 98 Goals 84 AssistsJeff Kraft (1987) 1 App 1 Goal 1 AssistArt Kramer (1981–82) 15 Apps 7 Goals 4 AssistsJorgen Kristensen (1986–87) 17 Apps 5 Goals 10 AssistsStuart Lee (1982–83; 1985–86) 82 Apps 39 Goals 27 AssistsMark Liveric (1984–85) 9 Apps 3 Goals 5 AssistsDuncan MacEwan (1986–87) 25 Apps 3 Goals 1 AssistGreg Makowski (1982–1985) 136 Apps 65 Goals 83 AssistsNick Mangione (1981-1985) 28 Apps 9 Goals 4 AssistsPatricio Margetic (1986–87) 69 Apps 36 Goals 48 AssistsMark Mathews (1990–91) 14 Apps 1 Goal 0 AssistsArnie Mausser (1985) GK-1 App 1 Win 0 LossesAlan Mayer (1985–1989) GK-116 Apps 56 Wins 55 LossesBilly McKeon (1982–84) 20 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsDoug McLagan (1989–1991) 67 Apps 12 Goals 10 AssistsKeith Meyer (1986) 15 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsDale Mitchell (1985–90) 248 Apps 212 Goals 147 AssistsJohnny Moore (1981) 1 Apps 1 Goal 0 AssistsLouie Nanchoff (1987) 27 Apps 14 Goals 16 AssistsDoug Neely (1989–1991) 95 Apps 18 Goals 21 AssistsJohan Neeskens (1985–86) 27 Apps 1 Goal 2 AssistsNiki Nikolic (1984) 6 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsPat Occhiuto (1981–82) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 AssistDamian Ogunsuyi (1981–82) 10 Apps 5 Goals 4 AssistsMike O'Mara (1981) 9 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
Yilmaz Orhan (1981–1983; 1986) 76 Apps 63 Goals 40 AssistsSteve Pecher (1984–85) 54 Apps 6 Goals 16 AssistsPaul Peschisolido (1990–91) 43 Apps 24 Goals 11 AssistsVictor Petroni (1981–83) GK-44 Apps 21 Wins 18 LossesIubo Petrovic (1981–82) 25 Apps 15 Goals 18 AssistsBen Popoola (1981–82) 25 Apps 11 Goals 7 AssistsFrank Rasmussen (1987–88) 21 Apps 1 Goal 5 AssistsClaudio Rocha (1981–82) 9 Apps 3 Goals 2 AssistsKim Roentved (1987–1991) 158 Apps 57 Goals 82 AssistsEmilio Romero (1981–82) 17 Apps 5 Goals 5 AssistsOwen Rose (1981–82) 11 Apps 0 Goals 1 AssistEdmond Rugova (1986–87) 14 Apps 1 Goal 1 AssistCarlos Salguero (1981–82; 1984–86) 86 Apps 38 Goals 30 Assists (Deceased)Len Salvemini (1981–82) 42 Apps 6 Goals 15 AssistsDave Sarachan (1981–82) 11 Apps 3 Goals 0 AssistsZoran Savic (1981–1884) 110 Apps 70 Goals 44 AssistsGino Schiraldi (1981–1991) 389 Apps 75 Goals 82 AssistsLarry Schmidgall (1981–82) 16 Apps 3 Goals 1 AssistRay Schnettgoecke (1981–82) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsJim Schwab (1985–1988; 1990–91) 116 Apps 15 Goals 20 Assists
Manny Schwartz (1983–1986) GK-54 Apps 24 Wins 31 LossesElson Seale (1982–1985) 117 Apps 56 Goals 40 Assists Silvio (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 2 AssistsTony Simoes (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsRick Snyder (1990–91) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 AssistCraig Stahl (1981–1984) 36 Apps 10 Goals 5 AssistsShane Steadman (1988–89) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 AssistsJohn Stremlau (1983–84) 39 Apps 9 Goals 9 AssistsBenny Tabak (1984–85) 44 Apps 18 Goals 16 AssistsJim Tietjens (1983–84) GK-7 Apps 2 Wins 4 LossesLarry Tukis (1988) GK-1 App 0 Wins 1 LossTim Twellman (1983–1986) 88 Apps 11 Goals 26 AssistsTim Tyma (1981–82) 4 Apps 0 Goals 0 AssistsCarl Valentine (1990–91) 48 Apps 27 Goals 26 AssistsGreg Villa (1982–83) 51 Apps 26 Goals 17 AssistsBarry Wallace (1987–1990) 107 Apps 50 Goals 39 Assists (Deceased)Tonnie Wareman (1987–88) 23 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists Martin Zimmerman (1986) 1 App 0 Goals 0 AssistsMickey Zivaljevic (1983–84) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
Kia Zolgharnain (1987–90) 104 Apps 66 Goals 37 Assists
