Shots were flying high, and the tempo ramped up during the first meeting of the Empire Strykers and KC Comets this 2026 MASL season. The intensity from the game’s first whistle initiated the battle about to commence between the 1st and 7th place teams of the league. Best friends and worst of enemies is the best way to put this feverish rivalry of ex-teammates, ex-Comets and developing All-Star caliber players of the MASL.
During the first quarter, KC’s goalkeeper Ejimadu briefly injured with a ball deflection into his eye during the goal line save against an Empire attacker, resulting in Nicolau Neto temporarily stepping foot into the KC goal. Everything even throughout this first quarter of play, as the tie game was off to spicy beginnings for both sides. Ejimadu returned shortly between the pipes.
The second quarter brought about an onslaught of tallies for the home team, as the Empire Strykers net 6 goals before the halftime whistle.
Mounir Alami kicks off the scoring rally for Empire with his crafty step overs, sneaking his first of the night past the KC defense (1:00 Q2). Soon to open his talented evening, Stinson delivers a smashing half volley shot from distance, netting the second wave of Empire attack (7:46 Q2).
Stinson’s nickname prevails in his on-field performance, rebounding his shot to the elusive Chavez (6:47 Q2). The equality of 4 saves per goalkeeper have been made by this point in the match, a notable reference to the ensuing developments. Once Justin Stinson starts his scoring, it’s tough to stop what’s about to happen, as his ‘wallascora’ effort provides the returned effort back to himself, netting his second goal of the evening (10:53 Q2).
Mansaray brings his energetic influence with the stolen ball at midfield, eluding 2 Comet defenders and striking home his first of the match (14:02.7 Q2). Finishing the first half stronger than expected by spectators and the KC Comet defense, Empire’s Perez unleashing the thunderous banger just seconds before the halftime whistle, giving the Strykers a comfortable 6-0 lead going into the locker room (14:59.5 Q2).
Starting off the third quarter of play, Mansaray bodied the stolen ball off the Comet’s defense for his second tally on the match (2:00 Q3).
The first Comet to strike blood came in the second half, as Lesia Thetsane fired home a near post blast past the starting Empire goalkeeper, De Lima, giving the Comets the beginning to a hopeful comeback (3:10 Q3). His scoring rally would later continue, as Thetsane hands Empire their second consecutive unanswered goal for KC into the low corner (9:29 Q3).
Rounding out the third quarter of play, Empire’s Walter Diaz’s 3rd consecutive game with a goal uplifts the California squad off a mistaken Comet’s turnover (11:18 Q3).
“Wicked Walter,” as he is known around the league, slides his dipping shot past the returned Neto, putting the home team up 8-2 to kick off the fourth quarter (2:39 Q4).
In all aspects of the battle this evening, Thetsane wasn’t done with his scoring efforts, as he bangs one off the post to complete his hattrick (3:03 Q4). Stryker’s goalkeeper, Gomez, replaces De Lima in net.
Empire’s Chavez finds his second goal of the match, deflecting his shot off a KC defender (8:18 Q4). Here’s where the Comets turn on their jets and make a run for the glorious comeback.
Less than 2 minutes later, KC’s Reget smashes a half volley in for the Comets (10:15 Q4). Not even a minute later, the breakaway assist by Marques leads Zach Reget in for his second point on the night (10:45 Q4). Marques nets the first of his own, with time dwindling for the visiting Comets (13:54 Q4).
When I say the evening was off to spicy beginnings, it very well ended with spicy double blue cards, one for each team, as the finals seconds came to a close inside the Toyota Arena. Well fought battle between these two squads, well coached and well refereed.
The Comets will return to the snow-packed KC area, training for another shot against the elusive Empire Strykers this coming Friday, January 30th at 7:05pm CST inside the Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, MO.