Tacoma Stars bolster lineup with Ramone Palmer, Alain Matingou, and Robert Palmer
The former KC players look to enhance the Tacoma Stars 2017-2018 MASL Season
TACOMA, Wash. – The Tacoma Stars are headed into their third full year in the Major Arena Soccer League. With a championship push as the focus for 2017-2018, the Tacoma Stars have signed Ramone Palmer, Alain Matingou, and Robert Palmer for the new season. The Palmer’s grew up in Kingston, Jamaica but are unrelated outside of playing together for the Kansas City Comets for the past four years after both finished college soccer at Park University. Matingou is also a Park University alum who plied his trade with the Comets in the MASL. All three players were part of the Comets Championship team in 2014 along with current Star players Danny Waltman and Alex Megson.
Ramone Palmer, at 5’6” and 140 lbs, brings his lightning quick dribbling and scoring ability to the Tacoma Stars after playing the past four seasons for the Kansas City Comets. Ramone scored 13 goals and registered 18 assists for the Division Champion Comets in 2016-2017. The Division title in 2015-2016 was the third in a row for the Comets with Ramone playing all 20 games scoring 18 goals and 5 assists. The 2010 American Midwest Conference Men’s Player of the Year helped the Comets win the 2014 MASL Championship.
“Ramone is a dynamic goal scorer in our league with the ability to take over a game,” stated Darren Sawatzky, Tacoma Stars Head Coach and General Manager, “We will look to him to light up the score column along with our quality core of returning point getters.”
Alain Matingou, originally from Paris, France, will bring a hard, veteran defensive presence to the Tacoma Stars backline. Matingou was part of the MISL All-Rookie team in 2014 for the Comets after scoring 21 goals and adding 12 assists. At 6’1” and 180 lbs, Matingou will be a formidable force for the Stars marking opposing strikers.
“We are very excited to add Alain to our defensive line as he compliments the players we have now and gives a great opposing defender for teams with big post up players,” continued Sawatzky, “He can also score goals so we feel like we have made another good addition to our group.”
Robert Palmer, at 5’ 10” and 180 lbs, will bring his tenacious defending and consistent passing rhythm to the already staunch defending core at the Tacoma Stars. Robert scored 6 goals and added 3 assists in 19 games in the 2016-2017 season for Kansas City after another 19-game season in 2015-2016 where he registered 13 goals and 7 assists. Robert attended Park University and was a 2010 AMC First Team All-Conference player.
“Robert is under-rated in my opinion but he has been playing on a very good team in Kansas City so we are glad he chose to make the trek across the country,” finished Sawatzky, “With his great defending and team oriented style, we think he will give us a great year on and off the field.”
The three player signings signal a commitment to fielding an entertaining and playoff caliber team for the Puget Sound Community.
“We are committed to the local soccer community and the great fans we have with the Tacoma Stars, “said Lane Smith, Tacoma Stars Owner, “We have added three great individuals that will bring excitement in the Arena and be wonderful assets to our community.”
The Tacoma Stars kick off the 2017-2018 home schedule on Friday, October 27th at the Kent ShoWare Center.