Sousa named Rookie of the Year, others receive All-MASL honors

Kansas City Comets rookie midfielder Lucas Sousa has been named the 2021 MASL Rookie of the Year, beating out teammate Rian Marques and Florida Tropics forward Bruno Henrique.

The voting, which included active players, head coaches, and one member from each team’s front office, concluded before the start of the playoffs. Sousa follows the footsteps of Stephen Patterson, who won the award in 2016/17 and the recently-retired Lucas Rodriguez, who won MISL Rookie of the Year in 2010/11.

Sousa, a graduate of Park University, originally signed with the Comets ahead of the 2019/20 season, but couldn’t play due to visa issues. He eventually went on loan to the Wichita Wings of M2 later that season and recorded 16 goals and three assists in five games.

The Brazilian’s long-awaited rookie season in the MASL came in 2021, accompanied by the Comets announcing him as the “front runner” for the Rookie of the Year award when he signed a new four-year deal in July. He did not disappoint, as he immediately became an integral part of the team and finished the regular season with 17 points from nine goals and eight assists before adding four goals and an assist in the playoffs.

Along with the Rookie of the Year Award, the MASL also announced other awards earlier in the week. While no Comets were named to the All-MASL 1st Team or All-MASL 3rd Team, they were represented everywhere else.

2021 All-MASL 2nd Team

F- Leo Gibson

D- John Sosa

D- Ray Lee

2021 All-MASL Honorable Mentions

M- Adam James

D- Matt Lewis

GK- Nicolau Neto

2021 All-MASL Rookie Team

F- Rian Marques

M- Lucas Sousa

D- Kyle McLagan

2021 All-MASL Rookie Honorable Mention

M- Henry Ramirez

M- Jose Ramos