KC Comets play St. Louis Ambush on road Friday, return to KC for Retro Night Saturday

The Kansas City Comets witnesses firsthand on Sunday why the San Diego Sockers have won two straight Ron Newman Cups as the champions of the Major Arena Soccer League.

The Sockers rode a big second half to a 7-3 win at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, handing the Comets their sixth defeat of the season.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Sockers scored a pair of goals 40 seconds apart. The Comets gave up another pair 86 seconds into the third quarter.

In the third period, Christian Anderaos put the Comets on the board with his first goal of the season. John Sosa and Lucas Sousa added fourth-period goals for KC.

“We didn’t show up,” said Comets player/coach Leo Gibson. “We didn’t show up at all and we got punished for it.”

Gibson was pleased with what he saw in the first 15 minutes but would like his side to put together an entire game of quality play.

“It’s just something we need to do for four quarters,” he said. “We had a good start and then we just kind of lost our discipline and focus.

“We started committing too many fouls, doing things unnecessarily. We didn’t do things as a unit.”

The Sockers led by as many as five goals but only narrowly outshot the Comets, 31-30. In the end, the Comets’ offense was stifled by the best defense in the league. Comets goalkeeper Nicolau Neto had some outstanding stops, finishing with 18 saves.

The Comets remain in third place in the MASL’s Eastern Conference with a crucial schedule ahead, including 14 games against conference foes.

The Comets visit the St. Louis Ambush on Friday at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, then return home to Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence on Saturday for Retro Night. Visit www.kccomets.com/retro-pack-special for special Retro Night ticket packages.