Kansas City Comets (1979–1991)
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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.
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
- Template:Flagicon Terry Fisher (1979–80)
- Template:Flagicon Johnny Moore (1980–81)
- Template:Flagicon Luis Dabo (1981) 2 Wins 7 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Pat McBride (1981–84) 63 Wins 80 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 5 Losses/No Series Wins, 2 Series Losses)
- Template:Flagicon Rick Benben (1984–87) 47 Wins 57 Losses (Postseason: 2 Wins 3 Losses/1 Series Win, 1 Series Loss)
- Template:Flagicon Niki Nikolic (1987-Interim) 1 Win 3 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Dave Clements (1987–91) 124 Wins 111 Losses (Postseason: 18 wins 16 Losses/3 Series Wins, 4 Series Losses)
Assistants
- Template:Flagicon Johnny Moore (1981)
- Template:Flagicon Tony Simoes (1981–82)
- Template:Flagicon Rick Benben (1982–84)
- Template:Flagicon Billy Gazonas (1984–86)
- Template:Flagicon Niki Nikolic (1986–87)
- Template:Flagicon Tony Glavin (1988–89)
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 | Opted out of playoffs | 4,588 |
Kansas City Comets
| 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 |
Honors
Rookie of the Year
- 1986: Dave Boncek
- 1988: David Doyle
Coach of the Year
- 1983: Pat McBride
Players
San Francisco Fog Roster
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Kansas City Comets
- Template:Flagicon Marco Antonio Abascal (1981–82) 7 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Laurie Abrahams (1985–86) 55 Apps 38 Goals 35 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Tom Alioto (1982–1984) 26 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Gary Amlong (1981–1983) 68 Apps 9 Goals 15 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ed Anibal (1989–90) 38 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Chad Ashton (1990–91) 44 Apps 9 Goals 11 Assists
- Template:Flagicon John Bain (1986–87) 43 Apps 26 Goals 27 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mike Bakic (1981–82) 20 Apps 10 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Boris Bandov (1983–1985) 34 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Nebo Bandovic (1989–90) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Petar Baralic (1984–85) 17 Apps 5 Goals 6 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Porfirio Armando Betancourt (1987–88) 48 Apps 5 Goals 8 Assists
- Template:Flagicon David Boncek (1985–1990) 230 Apps 36 Goals 21 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Barney Boyce (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Bob Bozada (1982–83) 22 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon David Brcic (1989) GK-16 Apps 8 wins 8 losses
- Template:Flagicon Cliff Brown (1983–84) GK-4 Apps 1 Win 2 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Jens Busk (1986–87) 13 Apps 1 Goal 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon David Butler (1981–82) 15 Apps 8 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Cacho (1986–1988) 40 Apps 10 Goals 8 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Charlie Carey (1982–83; 1984–85) 92 Apps 36 Goals 19 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Gerald "Magic" Celestin (1981–82) 12 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon John Cerin (1985) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Engin Cinar (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Tim Clark (1982–1987) 191 Apps 20 Goals 38 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Gary Collier (1987) 25 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Graziano Cornolo (1983–84) 26 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Stan Cummins (1988–89) 48 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Val DeSouza (1981–82) 48 Apps 12 Goals 8 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Angelo DiBernardo (1985–86) 48 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Zoran Dimitrijević (1986) 8 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Enzo Di Pede (1981–1986) GK-114 Apps 39 Wins 65 Losses
- Template:Flagicon John Dolinsky (1981–82) 20 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mike Dowler (1989–1991) GK 57 Apps 29 Wins 26 Losses
- Template:Flagicon David Doyle (1987–1991) 132 Apps 79 Goals 38 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Chris Duke (1989–1991) 71 Apps 2 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ted Eck (1988–1991) 100 Apps 38 Goals 26 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jorge Espinoza (1986–87) 47 Apps 7 Goals 3 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Charlie Fajkus (1984–1987) 120 Apps 57 Goals 49 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ivair Ferreira (1981–82) 14 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Miguel Filardo (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Joe Filla (1981–1983) 40 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Iain Fraser (1986–91) 206 Apps 19 Goals 31 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mark Frederickson (1981–1985) 153 Apps 38 Goals 33 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Keith Fulk (1985–86) 13 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Keith Furphy (1985–86) 29 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Scott Gaither (1990–91) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Pedro Gano (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Billy Gazonas (1982–1984) 55 Apps 9 Goals 13 Assists
- Template:Flagicon George Gibbs (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ed Gettemeier (1986–1989) GK-51 Apps 21 Wins 31 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Tony Glavin (1988–89; 1990–91) 29 Apps 4 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jan Goossens (1986–1991) 227 Apps 221 Goals 237 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jim Gorsek (1989–1991) GK-48 Apps 27 Wins 19 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Gerry Gray (1989–90) 12 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Warren Green (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Charley Greene (1986–1988) 93 Apps 21 Goals 20 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Clive Griffiths (1981–1985) 112 Apps 2 Goals 20 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Albert Guðmundsson (1982–83) 11 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Winston Hackett (1981–82) 8 Apps 2 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Kevin Handlan (1981–1985) 129 Apps 15 Goals 17 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Damir Haramina (1985–1989) 143 Apps 111 Goals 65 Assists
- Template:Flagicon John Hayes (1983–84) 41 Apps 12 Goals 12 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Gordon Hill (1983–84) 49 Apps 50 Goals 28 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Austin Hudson (1981–82) 2 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Chris Hundelt (1987–88) 20 Apps 3 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Kevin Hundelt (1988–1991) 143 Apps 43 Goals 30 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Greg Ion (1988–1990) 99 Apps 48 Goals 33 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Emilio John (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Michel Kaham (1986) 7 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Tom Kain (1986–1991) 129 Apps 12 Goals 14 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Chris Kenny (1988–89) 46 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ty Keough (1985–86) 41 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon John Klein (1990–91) 34 Apps 4 Goals 10 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Tasso Koutsoukos (1983–86, 1987–88) 180 Apps 98 Goals 84 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jeff Kraft (1987) 1 App 1 Goal 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Art Kramer (1981–82) 15 Apps 7 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jorgen Kristensen (1986–87) 17 Apps 5 Goals 10 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Stuart Lee (1982–83; 1985–86) 82 Apps 39 Goals 27 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Mark Liveric (1984–85) 9 Apps 3 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Duncan MacEwan (1986–87) 25 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Greg Makowski (1982–1985) 136 Apps 65 Goals 83 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Nick Mangione (1981-1985) 28 Apps 9 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Patricio Margetic (1986–87) 69 Apps 36 Goals 48 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mark Mathews (1990–91) 14 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Arnie Mausser (1985) GK-1 App 1 Win 0 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Alan Mayer (1985–1989) GK-116 Apps 56 Wins 55 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Billy McKeon (1982–84) 20 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Doug McLagan (1989–1991) 67 Apps 12 Goals 10 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Keith Meyer (1986) 15 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Dale Mitchell (1985–90) 248 Apps 212 Goals 147 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Johnny Moore (1981) 1 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Louie Nanchoff (1987) 27 Apps 14 Goals 16 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Doug Neely (1989–1991) 95 Apps 18 Goals 21 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Johan Neeskens (1985–86) 27 Apps 1 Goal 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Niki Nikolic (1984) 6 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Pat Occhiuto (1981–82) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Damian Ogunsuyi (1981–82) 10 Apps 5 Goals 4 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mike O'Mara (1981) 9 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Yilmaz Orhan (1981–1983; 1986) 76 Apps 63 Goals 40 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Steve Pecher (1984–85) 54 Apps 6 Goals 16 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Paul Peschisolido (1990–91) 43 Apps 24 Goals 11 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Victor Petroni (1981–83) GK-44 Apps 21 Wins 18 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Iubo Petrovic (1981–82) 25 Apps 15 Goals 18 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Ben Popoola (1981–82) 25 Apps 11 Goals 7 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Frank Rasmussen (1987–88) 21 Apps 1 Goal 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Claudio Rocha (1981–82) 9 Apps 3 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Kim Roentved (1987–1991) 158 Apps 57 Goals 82 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Emilio Romero (1981–82) 17 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Owen Rose (1981–82) 11 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Edmond Rugova (1986–87) 14 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Carlos Salguero (1981–82; 1984–86) 86 Apps 38 Goals 30 Assists (Deceased)
- Template:Flagicon Len Salvemini (1981–82) 42 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Dave Sarachan (1981–82) 11 Apps 3 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Zoran Savic (1981–1884) 110 Apps 70 Goals 44 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Gino Schiraldi (1981–1991) 389 Apps 75 Goals 82 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Larry Schmidgall (1981–82) 16 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Ray Schnettgoecke (1981–82) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jim Schwab (1985–1988; 1990–91) 116 Apps 15 Goals 20 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Manny Schwartz (1983–1986) GK-54 Apps 24 Wins 31 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Elson Seale (1982–1985) 117 Apps 56 Goals 40 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Silvio (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Tony Simoes (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Rick Snyder (1990–91) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
- Template:Flagicon Craig Stahl (1981–1984) 36 Apps 10 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Shane Steadman (1988–89) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon John Stremlau (1983–84) 39 Apps 9 Goals 9 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Benny Tabak (1984–85) 44 Apps 18 Goals 16 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Jim Tietjens (1983–84) GK-7 Apps 2 Wins 4 Losses
- Template:Flagicon Larry Tukis (1988) GK-1 App 0 Wins 1 Loss
- Template:Flagicon Tim Twellman (1983–1986) 88 Apps 11 Goals 26 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Tim Tyma (1981–82) 4 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Carl Valentine (1990–91) 48 Apps 27 Goals 26 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Greg Villa (1982–83) 51 Apps 26 Goals 17 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Barry Wallace (1987–1990) 107 Apps 50 Goals 39 Assists (Deceased)
- Template:Flagicon Tonnie Wareman (1987–88) 23 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Martin Zimmerman (1986) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Mickey Zivaljevic (1983–84) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
- Template:Flagicon Kia Zolgharnain (1987–90) 104 Apps 66 Goals 37 Assists
External links
- San Francisco Fog
- Kansas City Comets
- Pages with broken file links
- Defunct indoor soccer clubs in the United States
- Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) teams
- Soccer clubs in Kansas City, Missouri
- Association football clubs established in 1979
- Association football clubs disestablished in 1991
- 1979 establishments in Missouri
- 1991 disestablishments in Missouri