STARS ON THE ROAD TO BATTLE COMETS ON SATURDAY
TACOMA, WA. – The Stars (1-1-0) will return to action on Saturday, January 7 in their only visit to Kansas City to face the Comets (4-2-2) this season. It will have been 27 days since Tacoma’s last game on December 10 at the accesso ShoWare Center. While this will be just the third game of the season for the Stars, the Comets lead the league in games played as this will already be their ninth contest just over a month into the campaign.
One week between games is common for teams in the MASL, similar to other professional sports leagues, but three is very unusual. How it, if it does, impact the Stars is to be seen.
Tacoma Stars forward, and all-time leading scorer Nick Perera, when asked about the layoff said, “I think it’s a very unique scenario we find ourselves in schedule-wise. It’s the first time in my career that I’ve had a month off during the season, and it’s a strange place to be. Players want to play matches; so whether it’s been positive or negative is debatable, but I know our guys are excited to get back into games.”
Tacoma will be facing a team with the reigning MASL Offensive Player of the Month in John Sosa (5G-11A) and reigning Defensive Player of the Week in James Togbah (8G-1A). The Comets are 3-0-1 at home this season and the Stars won their only road game so far, last month in Ontario.
Since the 2014-15 season, this is only the 10th time these two teams have met, with the Comets holding a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series and they won the two times they played last year. Unlike opponents the Stars face up to six times a season, the Comets are a fairly unknown foe. It’s a welcome challenge to the Stars.
“We have played our regional rivals so many times over the years that it’s a breath of fresh air to face new opponents. I think it’s a good problem to have to have to prepare for a team you don’t see often; it makes you read tendencies for players you don’t traditionally scout as much and gives you an opportunity to play against a very different style to the teams out West,” said Perera.
The game will be shown on MASLtv www.twitch.tv/masl_soccer and fans 21 years of age and up are invited to the watch party at the Far Post bar located in the Tacoma Soccer Center. Game time is 4:05 pm PST.
The Stars return to the accesso ShoWare Center for two games against the Harrisburg Heat on January 14 and 15. Join us on the 14th for our Women’of Soccer Appreciation Game with special surprises and an early game featuring the Tacoma Galaxy. The 15th is Kid’s Day so don’t miss out and get your tickets to both games at tacomastars.showare.com today.
Select suites are still available for some games. Enjoy a Stars game with your family and friends in your own private suite! For more information call 1-844-STARS-84 today.
Stay up to date with the Stars by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or Instagram (Instagram.com/thetacomastars), and by liking the team on Facebook (FB.com/TacomaStars).