Kansas City Comets (1979–1991)

For other uses, see Kansas City Comets.

Kansas City Comets logo

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

• Terry Fisher (1979–80)
• Johnny Moore (1980–81)
• Luis Dabo (1981) 2 Wins 7 Losses
• Pat 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)

Assistants

• Johnny Moore (1981)
• Tony Simoes (1981–82)
• Rick Benben (1982–84)
• Billy Gazonas (1984–86)
• Niki Nikolic (1986–87)
• 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

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

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	USA	Roy Messing
2	DF	USA	Buzz Demling
3	DF	USA	Lee Atack
4	DF	USA	Mark Demling
5	DF		Andy Stanton
6	FW	USA	Mani Hernandez
7	FW	USA	Art Welch
8	FW	USA	Johnny Moore
9	FW	USA	Geoff Davies
10	FW	ENG	Jimmy Rolland
11	FW	USA	John Smillie
12	MF	NGA	Andy Atuegbu

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
13	MF	SCO	Davie Kemp
14	DF	ENG	Brian Joy
15	DF	USA	Len Salvemini
16	FW	ENG	John Brooks
17	MF	ENG	Mike Mancini
18	DF	USA	Dirk Denkers
19	DF	ENG	Len Renery
20	GK	USA	Tom Reynolds
—	FW	ESP	Manny Cuenca
—	DF	USA	Greg Delgado
—	FW	USA	Doug Wark
—	FW	ENG	Alan Sproates

Kansas City Comets

• Marco Antonio Abascal (1981–82) 7 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
• Laurie Abrahams (1985–86) 55 Apps 38 Goals 35 Assists
• Tom Alioto (1982–1984) 26 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
• Gary Amlong (1981–1983) 68 Apps 9 Goals 15 Assists
• Ed Anibal (1989–90) 38 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Chad Ashton (1990–91) 44 Apps 9 Goals 11 Assists
• John Bain (1986–87) 43 Apps 26 Goals 27 Assists
• Mike Bakic (1981–82) 20 Apps 10 Goals 4 Assists
• Boris Bandov (1983–1985) 34 Apps 1 Goal 6 Assists
• Nebo Bandovic (1989–90) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Petar Baralic (1984–85) 17 Apps 5 Goals 6 Assists
• Porfirio Armando Betancourt (1987–88) 48 Apps 5 Goals 8 Assists
• David Boncek (1985–1990) 230 Apps 36 Goals 21 Assists
• Barney Boyce (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Bob Bozada (1982–83) 22 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
• David Brcic (1989) GK-16 Apps 8 wins 8 losses
• Cliff Brown (1983–84) GK-4 Apps 1 Win 2 Losses
• Jens Busk (1986–87) 13 Apps 1 Goal 4 Assists
• David Butler (1981–82) 15 Apps 8 Goals 5 Assists
• Cacho (1986–1988) 40 Apps 10 Goals 8 Assists
• Charlie Carey (1982–83; 1984–85) 92 Apps 36 Goals 19 Assists
• Gerald "Magic" Celestin (1981–82) 12 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
• John Cerin (1985) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
• Engin Cinar (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Tim Clark (1982–1987) 191 Apps 20 Goals 38 Assists
• Gary Collier (1987) 25 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
• Graziano Cornolo (1983–84) 26 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
• Stan Cummins (1988–89) 48 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
• Val DeSouza (1981–82) 48 Apps 12 Goals 8 Assists
• Angelo DiBernardo (1985–86) 48 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
• Zoran Dimitrijević (1986) 8 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Enzo Di Pede (1981–1986) GK-114 Apps 39 Wins 65 Losses
• John Dolinsky (1981–82) 20 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
• Mike Dowler (1989–1991) GK 57 Apps 29 Wins 26 Losses
• David Doyle (1987–1991) 132 Apps 79 Goals 38 Assists
• Chris Duke (1989–1991) 71 Apps 2 Goals 2 Assists
• Ted Eck (1988–1991) 100 Apps 38 Goals 26 Assists
• Jorge Espinoza (1986–87) 47 Apps 7 Goals 3 Assists
• Charlie Fajkus (1984–1987) 120 Apps 57 Goals 49 Assists
• Ivair Ferreira (1981–82) 14 Apps 5 Goals 3 Assists
• Miguel Filardo (1981–82) 7 Apps 2 Goals 0 Assists
• Joe Filla (1981–1983) 40 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
• Iain Fraser (1986–91) 206 Apps 19 Goals 31 Assists
• Mark Frederickson (1981–1985) 153 Apps 38 Goals 33 Assists
• Keith Fulk (1985–86) 13 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
• Keith Furphy (1985–86) 29 Apps 22 Goals 17 Assists
• Scott Gaither (1990–91) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Pedro Gano (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Billy Gazonas (1982–1984) 55 Apps 9 Goals 13 Assists
• George Gibbs (1981–82) 7 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
• Ed Gettemeier (1986–1989) GK-51 Apps 21 Wins 31 Losses
• Tony Glavin (1988–89; 1990–91) 29 Apps 4 Goals 4 Assists
• Jan Goossens (1986–1991) 227 Apps 221 Goals 237 Assists
• Jim Gorsek (1989–1991) GK-48 Apps 27 Wins 19 Losses
• Gerry Gray (1989–90) 12 Apps 3 Goals 6 Assists
• Warren Green (1981–82) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Charley Greene (1986–1988) 93 Apps 21 Goals 20 Assists
• Clive 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 Assists
• Kevin Handlan (1981–1985) 129 Apps 15 Goals 17 Assists
• Damir Haramina (1985–1989) 143 Apps 111 Goals 65 Assists
• John Hayes (1983–84) 41 Apps 12 Goals 12 Assists
• Gordon Hill (1983–84) 49 Apps 50 Goals 28 Assists
• Austin Hudson (1981–82) 2 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Chris Hundelt (1987–88) 20 Apps 3 Goals 4 Assists
• Kevin Hundelt (1988–1991) 143 Apps 43 Goals 30 Assists
• Greg 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 Assist
• Tom Kain (1986–1991) 129 Apps 12 Goals 14 Assists
• Chris Kenny (1988–89) 46 Apps 4 Goals 5 Assists
• Ty Keough (1985–86) 41 Apps 2 Goals 1 Assist
• John Klein (1990–91) 34 Apps 4 Goals 10 Assists
• Tasso Koutsoukos (1983–86, 1987–88) 180 Apps 98 Goals 84 Assists
• Jeff Kraft (1987) 1 App 1 Goal 1 Assist
• Art Kramer (1981–82) 15 Apps 7 Goals 4 Assists
• Jorgen Kristensen (1986–87) 17 Apps 5 Goals 10 Assists
• Stuart Lee (1982–83; 1985–86) 82 Apps 39 Goals 27 Assists
• Mark Liveric (1984–85) 9 Apps 3 Goals 5 Assists
• Duncan MacEwan (1986–87) 25 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
• Greg Makowski (1982–1985) 136 Apps 65 Goals 83 Assists
• Nick Mangione (1981-1985) 28 Apps 9 Goals 4 Assists
• Patricio Margetic (1986–87) 69 Apps 36 Goals 48 Assists
• Mark Mathews (1990–91) 14 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
• Arnie Mausser (1985) GK-1 App 1 Win 0 Losses
• Alan Mayer (1985–1989) GK-116 Apps 56 Wins 55 Losses
• Billy McKeon (1982–84) 20 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Doug McLagan (1989–1991) 67 Apps 12 Goals 10 Assists
• Keith Meyer (1986) 15 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Dale Mitchell (1985–90) 248 Apps 212 Goals 147 Assists
• Johnny Moore (1981) 1 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
• Louie Nanchoff (1987) 27 Apps 14 Goals 16 Assists
• Doug Neely (1989–1991) 95 Apps 18 Goals 21 Assists
• Johan Neeskens (1985–86) 27 Apps 1 Goal 2 Assists
• Niki Nikolic (1984) 6 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Pat Occhiuto (1981–82) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
• Damian Ogunsuyi (1981–82) 10 Apps 5 Goals 4 Assists
• Mike O'Mara (1981) 9 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Yilmaz Orhan (1981–1983; 1986) 76 Apps 63 Goals 40 Assists
• Steve Pecher (1984–85) 54 Apps 6 Goals 16 Assists
• Paul Peschisolido (1990–91) 43 Apps 24 Goals 11 Assists
• Victor Petroni (1981–83) GK-44 Apps 21 Wins 18 Losses
• Iubo Petrovic (1981–82) 25 Apps 15 Goals 18 Assists
• Ben Popoola (1981–82) 25 Apps 11 Goals 7 Assists
• Frank Rasmussen (1987–88) 21 Apps 1 Goal 5 Assists
• Claudio Rocha (1981–82) 9 Apps 3 Goals 2 Assists
• Kim Roentved (1987–1991) 158 Apps 57 Goals 82 Assists
• Emilio Romero (1981–82) 17 Apps 5 Goals 5 Assists
• Owen Rose (1981–82) 11 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
• Edmond Rugova (1986–87) 14 Apps 1 Goal 1 Assist
• Carlos Salguero (1981–82; 1984–86) 86 Apps 38 Goals 30 Assists (Deceased)
• Len Salvemini (1981–82) 42 Apps 6 Goals 15 Assists
• Dave Sarachan (1981–82) 11 Apps 3 Goals 0 Assists
• Zoran Savic (1981–1884) 110 Apps 70 Goals 44 Assists
• Gino Schiraldi (1981–1991) 389 Apps 75 Goals 82 Assists
• Larry Schmidgall (1981–82) 16 Apps 3 Goals 1 Assist
• Ray Schnettgoecke (1981–82) 5 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Jim Schwab (1985–1988; 1990–91) 116 Apps 15 Goals 20 Assists
• Manny Schwartz (1983–1986) GK-54 Apps 24 Wins 31 Losses
• Elson Seale (1982–1985) 117 Apps 56 Goals 40 Assists
• Silvio (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 2 Assists
• Tony Simoes (1981–82) 3 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Rick Snyder (1990–91) 15 Apps 0 Goals 1 Assist
• Craig Stahl (1981–1984) 36 Apps 10 Goals 5 Assists
• Shane Steadman (1988–89) 3 Apps 1 Goal 0 Assists
• John Stremlau (1983–84) 39 Apps 9 Goals 9 Assists
• Benny Tabak (1984–85) 44 Apps 18 Goals 16 Assists
• Jim Tietjens (1983–84) GK-7 Apps 2 Wins 4 Losses
• Larry Tukis (1988) GK-1 App 0 Wins 1 Loss
• Tim Twellman (1983–1986) 88 Apps 11 Goals 26 Assists
• Tim Tyma (1981–82) 4 Apps 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Carl Valentine (1990–91) 48 Apps 27 Goals 26 Assists
• Greg Villa (1982–83) 51 Apps 26 Goals 17 Assists
• Barry 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 Assists
• Mickey Zivaljevic (1983–84) 1 App 0 Goals 0 Assists
• Kia Zolgharnain (1987–90) 104 Apps 66 Goals 37 Assists

External links

San Francisco Fog

• San Francisco Fog Roster
• The Year in American Soccer – 1981
• Fog logo

Kansas City Comets

• Kansas City Comets
• MISL history