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The Missouri Comets started their preseason training last week and are busy training twice daily to get ready for their home opener on November 16th.
"It's great to be back in camp I love it," veteran defender Stefan Stokic said after training on Monday. "All summer you are waiting. When the season ends you give it a couple weeks and then you are empty and it's boring. It feels great to be back, a little bit tired but it feels good."
Looking back over the last three years, these first days were straight on going strong right away.
The Comets roster should be very familiar to their fans with many of the same players and even a couple players that have returned after playing for other teams for a while. Both Geison and Bryan Perez were signed in the off season from other teams but have both played for the Comets in the past and seem to be meshing well with their former team.
The Comets have not announced the return of Leo Gibson but he has been in camp and it is expected that he will sign if he has not already.
Notable absences
There are some notable absences though. Defender Ryan Junge retired and the Comets have not brought back midfielders Mads Falck, Craig Rocastle and backup keeper Boris Pardo.
Veteran forward Byron Alvarez has not been in camp yet but has reportedly signed and should be in training by next week. Lucas Rodriguez's season with the NASL's Minnesota United FC just wrapped up and he should join the team over the weekend also. Defender Cristiano also plays for Minnesota and is still negotiating with the Comets and is likely to sign now that Minnesota is done.
Defender Coady Andrews has re-signed with the Comets but is missing some training camp time while he is on trial with the Columbus Crew. Andrews earned a trial with the MLS team when he played with the Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL over the summer and stood out on the team and in the league.
Powerful forward Stefan St. Louis is recovering from his knee injury he suffered last season and has not been cleared for full training but is in camp working on fitness.
One of the most notable absences for the Comets is former coach Kim Roentved. He led the Comets for all three seasons since they returned to the league. His former assistant Vlatko Andonovski is now the head coach for both the Comets and FC Kansas City in the NWSL.
Next week: A full previews of the Comets and the MISL