KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Tacoma Stars and Kansas City Comets announced Friday that they will team to host a Major Arena Soccer League all-star game at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Mo. Saturday, Dec. 5.
The 8 p.m. ET encounter will be an East vs. West format that will bring top players from around the league together.
There has not been a professional indoor all-star game with an East-West format since 2002-03.
There has been no MASL games since the 2019-20 regular season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in March. League officials have stated they are hopeful of starting the 2020-21 season later this year or early next year.
The collaboration between the Stars and Comets to produce this talent showcase will be great for players and fans alike. “An MASL all-star game is long overdue for both our fantastic, league wide fans and our incredibly talented players,” Lane Smith, owner of the Stars and Comets, said in a statement. “I am excited and proud to use Tacoma Stars and Kansas City Comets resources to produce this first ever MASL All-Star game. 2020 has been a rough year on all sports, and our staff, players and fans deserve a great event.”
Rosters will be announced soon.
The teams will be led by a duo who finished one-two in scoring during the 2018-19 season. Stars player-head coach Nick Perera direct lead the West, while Comets player-coach Leo Gibson will guide the East.
“It’s an honor to be involved in bringing an all-star event to the sport of arena soccer,” Perera said in a statement. “Playing alongside the best players in the country in an East vs. West setting will provide a unique experience for everyone involved, and fans everywhere.”
Gibson acknowledged the benefit of the game taking place in his home arena. “There is no better time and place for the MASL all-star game to be held,” he said in a comment. “Being a part of the all-star game is a dream come true.”
Added Kansas City’s Brian Budzinski: “What an exciting time, not only for the MASL but for all of Kansas City. This is an exceptional opportunity for our top players to be honored and recognized for all their unbelievable accomplishments to this game,” he said.
For those unable to attend, broadcast details are being worked out and will be announced soon. The Comets broadcast announcing team of Nick Vasos and Erik Bergrud will handle the play-by-play duties.
A limited number of socially distanced tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Kansas City Comets office at (888) 9-COMETS.
