KC Comets v Florida Tropics: Doubleheader Preview and Predictions

MASL Regular Season- Matchday 2

Kansas City Comets @ Florida Tropics

When: Friday, Jan. 8, 6:05 p.m. CST

Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland, Florida

How to Watch: MASL Featured Match or MASL Regular Season Pass

The Kansas City Comets will head to the Tampa Bay area for a weekend doubleheader against the Florida Tropics.

The Comets enter the weekend on a five-game winning streak with a 1-0 regular season record after last weekend’s comeback win over the Dallas Sidekicks, which included a hat trick from Kevin Ellis.

The Comets have had some significant news unveiled throughout the week with the additions of Ray Lee and Felipe Abreu while Robert Palmer and Gui Gomes departed.

In nine meetings between the Comets and Tropics, the Comets have a 6-3 overall record and a 3-2 record when visiting the Tropics.

KC will be leaning on their defensive strengths to hold up this weekend, but will need to start the game strong. The addition of Ray Lee could help draw defenders out and free up more space for Leo Gibson. Kevin Ellis needs to continue to score at an incredible rate, as he has done throughout his indoor career.

Florida Tropics

The Florida Tropics enter the matchup with a 2-0 record after winning both of their season-opening games last weekend against the St. Louis Ambush. The Tropics are coming off a 2019/20 season where they went 18-3 and were crowned Eastern Division champions.

Coached by former Philadelphia KiXX defender Clay Roberts, the Tropics entered this season as the favorite to win the title. Their opening two matches did not change that. Roberts’ side is stacked with talent, which includes 2019/20 MASL Defender of the Year and All-MASL 1st Team selection Drew Ruggles. Due to Milwaukee Wave’s absence this season, longtime Comet-killer and 13-year indoor soccer veteran Ian Bennett, a 2019/20 All-MASL 1st Team selection, also joined the Tropics and opened his scoring account with the Tropics last Sunday with a second half hat trick.

Other All-MASL selections include goalkeeper Hugo Silva, midfielder Victor Parreiras, and forward Ricardo Carvalho. Additionally, the Tropics brought in former Comet forward Kiel Williams, who could receive his debut this weekend after missing both matches last weekend.

MASL Regular Season- Matchday 3

Kansas City Comets @ Florida Tropics

When: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2:05 p.m. CST

Where: RP Funding Center, Lakeland, Florida

How to Watch: MASL Featured Match or MASL Regular Season Pass

Both teams have had experience with a doubleheader this season and both teams won both games of their doubleheader.

For the Comets, they beat the the St. Louis Ambush before smashing the Wichita Wings the next night. KC dressed 12 field players and two goalkeepers for each match. They made four changes between the two matches, including a goalkeeper change.

For the Tropics, they played two tighter contests against the St. Louis Ambush in consecutive days last weekend. They dressed 14 field players and two goalkeeper for each match. With Florida’s larger roster, they made just two changes between the matches.

Final Predictions

While Florida has talent throughout their entire lineup, their defense is their greatest strength. Florida gave up a league-best 86 goals last season. Florida will be a lot for KC to handle. I think both games will be close contests, but a two-game sweep of the Tropics is a going to be a difficult task.

For my final prediction, I think the Tropics will win Friday’s matchup, but the Comets will get the win on Sunday. KC seems to always grow into the game and get better as the game goes on. Florida let the Ambush back into the second game last weekend, but the Comets will be better equipped to punish.