Kansas City Comets (1979–1991)

The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL; later the Major Soccer League) from 1979–1991, when they folded. They played their home games in Kemper Arena.

Kansas City Comets logo

The team originated as the Detroit Lightning, which joined the MISL as an expansion team in the 1979–1980 season. After a year in Detroit the team relocated to San Francisco, California, becoming the San 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.

History

In 1979 the Major Indoor Soccer League placed an expansion franchise in Detroit, Michigan. The team, then known as the Detroit Lightning, failed to make the playoffs, and at the end of the season were purchased by entrepreneur David Schoenstadt, later the founder of Discovery Zone. Schoenstadt relocated the team to San Francisco, California, where they were renamed the San Francisco Fog. They again failed to make the playoffs in the 1980–1981 season, and Schoenstadt moved the team once more, this time to Kansas City, Missouri, rebranding them the Kansas City Comets.

The Comets failed to qualify for the playoffs in the 1981–1982 season, but were thereafter consistent playoff contenders, making a total of seven playoff appearances in ten seasons. They advanced to the quarterfinals in 1985, the division semifinals in 1987, and the division finals in 1988, 1990, and 1991. 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 the Kansas City Attack of the National Professional Soccer League; this team was known as the "Kansas City Comets" from 2001–2005. In 2010 the Missouri Comets, based in nearby Independence, joined the new Major Indoor Soccer League, carrying on the legacy of the original Comets.

Stars and fan favorites included Enzo 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, and Ty Keough as well as coaches Pat McBride and Rick Benben.

Ownership

  • Dr. David Schoenstadt (1979–87)
  • Kansas City Comets, Inc. (1987–91)

Staff

  • Dick Berg General manager
  • Peter Simon Public Relations Director
  • Brad Jacobs Marketing Director
  • Tim Leiweke – General Manager (1981–84) President (1986–88)

Coaching staff

Head coaches

  • United States Terry Fisher (1979–80)
  • United States Johnny Moore (1980–81)
  • United States Luis Dabo (1981) 2 Wins 7 Losses
  • United States Pat McBride (1981–84) 63 Wins 80 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 5 Losses/No Series Wins, 2 Series Losses)
  • United States Rick Benben (1984–87) 47 Wins 57 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 3 Losses/1 Series Win, 1 Series Loss)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Niki Nikolic (1987-Interim) 1 Win 3 Losses
  • Northern Ireland Dave Clements (1987–91) 124 Wins 111 Losses (Postseason: 18 wins 16 Losses/3 Series Wins, 4 Series Losses)

Assistants

Year-by-year

Detroit Lightning

Year League Record Reg. season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1979–80 MISL 15–17 3rd Central Division 1st Round 3,520

San Francisco Fog

Year League Record Reg. season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1980–81 MISL 11–29 4th West Failed to Qualify 4,588

Kansas City Comets

Year Division League Reg. season Playoffs Avg. attendance
1981–82 Western MISL 6th did not qualify 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 did not qualify 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 did not qualify 9,228
1989–90 Eastern MISL 2nd Division Finals 10,475
1990–91 Eastern MSL 2nd Division Finals 7,103

Honors

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

  • 1983: Pat McBride

Players

San Francisco Fog Roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Roy Messing
2 DF United States USA Buzz Demling
3 DF United States USA Lee Atack
4 DF United States USA Mark Demling
5 DF   Andy Stanton
6 FW United States USA Mani Hernandez
7 FW United States USA Art Welch
8 FW United States USA Johnny Moore
9 FW United States USA Geoff Davies
10 FW England ENG Jimmy Rolland
11 FW United States USA John Smillie
12 MF Nigeria NGA Andy Atuegbu
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 MF Scotland SCO Davie Kemp
14 DF England ENG Brian Joy
15 DF United States USA Len Salvemini
16 FW England ENG John Brooks
17 MF England ENG Mike Mancini
18 DF United States USA Dirk Denkers
19 DF England ENG Len Renery
20 GK United States USA Tom Reynolds
FW Spain ESP Manny Cuenca
DF United States USA Greg Delgado
FW United States USA Doug Wark
FW England ENG Alan Sproates

Kansas City Comets

  • Chile Marco Antonio Abascal (1981–82) 7 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
  • England Laurie Abrahams (1985–86) 55 Apps 38 Goals 35 Assists
  • United States Tom Alioto (1982–84) 26 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
  • United States Gary Amlong (1981–83) 68 Apps 9 Goals 15 Assists
  • United States Ed Anibal (1989–90) 38 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Chad Ashton (1990–91) 44 Apps 9 Goals 11 Assists
  • Scotland John Bain (1986–87) 43 Apps 26 Goals 27 Assists
  • Canada Mike Bakic (1981–82) 20 Apps 10 Goals 4 Assists
  • United States Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Boris Bandov (1983–85) 34 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
  • United States Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Nebo Bandovic (1989–90) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Petar Baralic (1984–85) 17 Apps 5 Goals 6 Assists
  • Honduras Porfirio Armando Betancourt (1987–88) 48 Apps 5 Goals 8 Assists
  • United States David Boncek (1985–90) 230 Apps 36 Goals 21 Assists
  • United States Barney Boyce (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Bob Bozada (1982–83) 22 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
  • United States David Brcic (1989) GK-16 Apps 8 wins 8 losses
  • United States Cliff Brown (1983–84) GK-4 Apps 1 Win 2 Losses
  • Denmark Jens Busk (1986–87) 13 Apps 1 Goal 4 Assists
  • England David Butler (1981–82) 15 Apps 8 Goals 5 Assists
  • Argentina Cacho (1986–88) 40 Apps 10 Goals 8 Assists
  • Canada Charlie Carey (1982–83; 1984–85) 92 Apps 36 Goals 19 Assists
  • Haiti Gerald "Magic" Celestin (1981–82) 12 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia John Cerin (1985) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
  • Turkey Engin Cinar (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Tim Clark (1982–87) 191 Apps 20 Goals 38 Assists
  • England Gary Collier (1987) 25 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
  • Italy Graziano Cornolo (1983–84) 26 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
  • England Stan Cummins (1988–89) 48 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
  • Brazil Val DeSouza (1981–82) 48 Apps 12 Goals 8 Assists
  • United States Argentina Angelo DiBernardo (1985–86) 48 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zoran Dimitrijević (1986) 8 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Canada Enzo Di Pede (1981–86) GK-114 Apps 39 Wins 65 Losses
  • Germany John Dolinsky (1981–82) 20 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
  • England Mike Dowler (1989–91) GK 57 Apps 29 Wins 26 Losses
  • Republic of Ireland David Doyle (1987–91) 132 Apps 79 Goals 38 Assists
  • United States Chris Duke (1989–91) 71 Apps 2 Goals 2 Assists
  • United States Ted Eck (1988–91) 100 Apps 38 Goals 26 Assists
  • Chile Jorge Espinoza (1986–87) 47 Apps 7 Goals 3 Assists
  • United States Charlie Fajkus (1984–87) 120 Apps 57 Goals 49 Assists
  • Brazil Ivair Ferreira (1981–82) 14 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
  • Argentina Miguel Filardo (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Joe Filla (1981–83) 40 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
  • Canada Scotland Iain Fraser (1986–91) 206 Apps 19 Goals 31 Assists
  • United States Mark Frederickson (1981–85) 153 Apps 38 Goals 33 Assists
  • United States Keith Fulk (1985–86) 13 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
  • England Keith Furphy (1985–86) 29 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
  • United States Scott Gaither (1990–91) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Argentina Pedro Gano (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Billy Gazonas (1982–84) 55 Apps 9 Goals 13 Assists
  • England George Gibbs (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
  • United States Ed Gettemeier (1986–89) GK-51 Apps 21 Wins 31 Losses
  • Scotland Tony Glavin (1988–89; 1990–91) 29 Apps 4 Goals 4 Assists
  • Netherlands Jan Goossens (1986–91) 227 Apps 221 Goals 237 Assists
  • United States Jim Gorsek (1989–91) GK-48 Apps 27 Wins 19 Losses
  • Scotland Gerry Gray (1989–90) 12 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
  • Canada Warren Green (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Charley Greene (1986–88) 93 Apps 21 Goals 20 Assists
  • England Clive Griffiths (1981–85) 112 Apps 2 Goals 20 Assists
  • Iceland Albert Guðmundsson (1982–83) 11 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
  • Trinidad and Tobago Winston Hackett (1981–82) 8 Apps 2 Goals 2 Assists
  • United States Kevin Handlan (1981–85) 129 Apps 15 Goals 17 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia United States Damir Haramina (1985–89) 143 Apps 111 Goals 65 Assists
  • United States John Hayes (1983–84) 41 Apps 12 Goals 12 Assists
  • England Gordon Hill (1983–84) 49 Apps 50 Goals 28 Assists
  • United States Austin Hudson (1981–82) 2 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Chris Hundelt (1987–88) 20 Apps 3 Goals 4 Assists
  • United States Kevin Hundelt (1988–91) 143 Apps 43 Goals 30 Assists
  • Canada Greg Ion (1988–90) 99 Apps 48 Goals 33 Assists
  • Nigeria Emilio John (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
  • Cameroon Michel Kaham (1986) 7 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
  • United States Tom Kain (1986–91) 129 Apps 12 Goals 14 Assists
  • United States Chris Kenny (1988–89) 46 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
  • United States Ty Keough (1985–86) 41 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
  • United States John Klein (1990–91) 34 Apps 4 Goals 10 Assists
  • Canada Tasso Koutsoukos (1983–86, 1987–88) 180 Apps 98 Goals 84 Assists
  • United States Jeff Kraft (1987) 1 App 1 Goal 1 Assist
  • United States Art Kramer (1981–82) 15 Apps 7 Goals 4 Assists
  • Denmark Jorgen Kristensen (1986–87) 17 Apps 5 Goals 10 Assists
  • England Stuart Lee (1982–83; 1985–86) 82 Apps 39 Goals 27 Assists
  • United States Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mark Liveric (1984–85) 9 Apps 3 Goals 5 Assists
  • Scotland Duncan MacEwan (1986–87) 25 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
  • United States Greg Makowski (1982–85) 136 Apps 65 Goals 83 Assists
  • England Nick Mangione (19841-85) 28 Apps 9 Goals 4 Assists
  • Argentina Patricio Margetic (1986–87) 69 Apps 36 Goals 48 Assists
  • United States Mark Mathews (1990–91) 14 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
  • United States Arnie Mausser (1985) GK-1 App 1 Win 0 Losses
  • United States Alan Mayer (1985–89) GK-116 Apps 56 Wins 55 Losses
  • United States Billy McKeon (1982–84) 20 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Scotland Doug McLagan (1989–91) 67 Apps 12 Goals 10 Assists
  • United States Keith Meyer (1986) 15 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Canada Dale Mitchell (1985–90) 248 Apps 212 Goals 147 Assists
  • Scotland Johnny Moore (1981) 1 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Louie Nanchoff (1987) 27 Apps 14 Goals 16 Assists
  • United States Doug Neely (1989–91) 95 Apps 18 Goals 21 Assists
  • Netherlands Johan Neeskens (1985–86) 27 Apps 1 Goal 2 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Niki Nikolic (1984) 6 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Italy Pat Occhiuto (1981–82) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
  • Nigeria Damian Ogunsuyi (1981–82) 10 Apps 5 Goals 4 Assists
  • United States Mike O'Mara (1981) 9 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Cyprus Yilmaz Orhan (1981–83; 1986) 76 Apps 63 Goals 40 Assists
  • United States Steve Pecher (1984–85) 54 Apps 6 Goals 16 Assists
  • Canada Paul Peschisolido (1990–91) 43 Apps 24 Goals 11 Assists
  • Canada Victor Petroni (1981–83) GK-44 Apps 21 Wins 18 Losses
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Iubo Petrovic (1981–82) 25 Apps 15 Goals 18 Assists
  • Nigeria Ben Popoola (1981–82) 25 Apps 11 Goals 7 Assists
  • Denmark Frank Rasmussen (1987–88) 21 Apps 1 Goal 5 Assists
  • Brazil Claudio Rocha (1981–82) 9 Apps 3 Goals 2 Assists
  • Denmark Kim Roentved (1987–91) 158 Apps 57 Goals 82 Assists
  • United States Emilio Romero (1981–82) 17 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists
  • England Owen Rose (1981–82) 11 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Edmond Rugova (1986–87) 14 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
  • Argentina Carlos Salguero (1981–82; 1984–86) 86 Apps 38 Goals 30 Assists (Deceased)
  • United States Len Salvemini (1981–82) 42 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
  • United States Dave Sarachan (1981–82) 11 Apps 3 Goals 0 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zoran Savic (1981–84) 110 Apps 70 Goals 44 Assists
  • Canada Gino Schiraldi (1981–91) 389 Apps 75 Goals 82 Assists
  • United States Larry Schmidgall (1981–82) 16 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
  • United States Ray Schnettgoecke (1981–82) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Jim Schwab (1985–88; 1990–91) 116 Apps 15 Goals 20 Assists
  • Israel Manny Schwartz (1983–86) GK-54 Apps 24 Wins 31 Losses
  • United States Elson Seale (1982–85) 117 Apps 56 Goals 40 Assists
  • Brazil Silvio (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
  • United States Tony Simoes (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • United States Rick Snyder (1990–91) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
  • United States Craig Stahl (1981–84) 36 Apps 10 Goals 5 Assists
  • United States Shane Steadman (1988–89) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
  • United States John Stremlau (1983–84) 39 Apps 9 Goals 9 Assists
  • Israel Benny Tabak (1984–85) 44 Apps 18 Goals 16 Assists
  • United States Jim Tietjens (1983–84) GK-7 Apps 2 Wins 4 Losses
  • United States Larry Tukis (1988) GK-1 App 0 Wins 1 Loss
  • United States Tim Twellman (1983–86) 88 Apps 11 Goals 26 Assists
  • United States Tim Tyma (1981–82) 4 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Canada England Carl Valentine (1990–91) 48 Apps 27 Goals 26 Assists
  • United States Greg Villa (1982–83) 51 Apps 26 Goals 17 Assists
  • England Barry Wallace (1987–90) 107 Apps 50 Goals 39 Assists (Deceased)
  • Netherlands Tonnie Wareman (1987–88) 23 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists
  • Denmark Martin Zimmerman (1986) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mickey Zivaljevic (1983–84) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
  • Iran Kia Zolgharnain (1987–90) 104 Apps 66 Goals 37 Assists

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