Trio of Comets standouts earned their first 2025 Player of the Week Awards

​by Bill Althaus


A trio of Kansas City Comets standouts are reaping the rewards of Sunday's dominating 7-2 MASL win over Harrisburg at Cable Dahmer Arena.

Goalkeeper Nicolau Neto, defender Nacho Flores and forward Rian Marques all earned their first 2025 Player of the Week awards.

The trio helped the Comets extend their current winning streak to three games , which they hope to extend to four in a row following Friday night's home game against longtime rival San Diego.

Neto, who has been sidelined much of the season, allowed just three goals and made 11 saves in the win over the Heat. He also came into the Dallas game in relief and picked up the win in a memorable come-from-behind victory over the Sidekicks.

"At this point of the season," Neto said, "it's all about winning. If I have a big game, and it leads to a victory, I'm excited about the win."

Flores was the hero in the 7-6 win against the Sidekicks as he scored two of the Comets' three goals in the final 2:38, including the game-winner with 31 seconds left. He turned in another solid performance against Harrisburg, scoring once and providing two assists before being named to the All-Star Game.

"We are coming together as a team, and playing well right now," Flores said. "And it's always exciting to win at home, because our fans are a big reason for much of our success this season."

Marques was unstoppable during the week as he led the MASL with eight points - with three assists against Dallas and a career-high with five points against Harrisburg. He led the Comets with three goals and two assists in the win over the Heat.

"There isn't a player on our team who cares more about personal stats then they do about winning," Marques said. "We had a great week, and now we have to keep going strong when San Diego comes to town Friday."

The 8-1-2 Comets (8-1-2) are looking to celebrate Red Friday by snapping the MASL's longest winning streak when the 10-1-0 San Diego Sockers visit Silverstein Eye Centers Field.

Kansas City Chiefs fans are encouraged to wear red for the Red Friday showcase, with a QB Special 15% off at the merchandise stand inside Cable Dahmer Arena.

The Sockers have won a league-high10 straight games.

"San Diego is a very good team," Comets coach Stefan Stokic said. "They have proved that all season. They beat us (7-4) at San Diego earlier this season. We played well against Harriburg and found a way to come back and beat Dallas, but we need to improve in many areas of our game to beat San Diego, and that's what we are going to work on this week at practice."

Rookie defender Nathan Durdle has answered the call with three goals and an assist in the last three games.

"Durdle has been fantastic the past three games," Stokic said. "He has not played like a rookie, he has played like a veteran and has played a big role in our last three wins."

Flores has scored 10 points in the last five games, earning his spot as the Comets' sixth player on the MASL All-Star Game roster. He will join Stokic and teammates Chad Vandegriffe, Rian Marques and Zach Reget for Team Perera against Leo Acosta and Neto of Team Oliveira.

The Comets lead the MASL with 10 successful penalty kills, allowing just one power play goal all season. They still have room to improve on offensive power plays, scoring four of 10 opportunities.

The Comets are 5-0-1 at Cable Dahmer Arena and have outscored opponents 40-21. However, they have scored just once in the first quarter over the past five games.

 The Comets are 5-3 all-time against the Sockers but are looking for payback after San Diego's 7-4 win in their meeting last month at Frontwave Arena. San Diego has never beaten the Comets at Cable Dahmer Arena.

San Diego's only loss this season came on Dec. 7 against the Tacoma Stars on the road. San Diego is 3-1-0 away from home this year. Winners of 10 straight, the Sockers boast a roster full of talent, including three players with double-digit goals. Tavoy Morgan leads the team with 13 goals, followed by Kraig Chiles and Luiz Morales with 10 each.

Goalkeeper Nicolau Neto earned Player of the Week honors along with teammates Nacho Flores and forward Rian Marques. Neto, who has been sidelined much of the season, allowed just three goals and made 11 saves in the win over the Heat. He also came into the Dallas game in relief and picked up the win in a memorable come-from-behind victory over the Sidekicks. Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News