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Independence, MO —
The Missouri Comets did not sign any players from this past weekend’s first Major Indoor Soccer League Combine, but coach Kim Roentved did invite two midfielders to the team’s open camp in a few weeks.
“Our roster is pretty much set, so for us to sign a player, he would need to be someone who could step in and make an immediate impact,” Roentved said after the scouting combine that was held at the SoccerDome, the Sports Lodge and the Independence Events Center over the weekend. “I didn’t see any players like that. However, I did see the two midfielders and believe they deserve a second look working out with the boys from our team.”
The players he mentioned are Tomoyuki Kinoshit and Andre Braithgwaite.
“Of the 60 to 70 players at the combine,” Roentved said, “these are the two players who really caught my attention. I think Tomoyuki could play midfield, but we are looking at Andre as more of a defender.”
When he wasn’t watching the combine, the coach was taking part in the annual Fan Fest, which exceeded the team’s expectations.?“We had 300 posters to give away and they were gone in the first 10 minutes we opened the doors,” Comets president Brian Budzinski said. “We never anticipated having this many fans. It’s just amazing,”
Throughout the course of the three-hour Fan Fest, more than 1,000 fans attended. During much of the event, members of the combine were participating in practice games.
“When I drove up and saw all the cars in the parking lot, I thought there must be some kind of hockey tournament going on next door,” Comets defender Brian Harris said. “Then I got inside and realized they were all here for the Fan Fest.
“Really, I was blown away. I couldn’t believe it.”
Neither could goalkeeper Danny Waltman, who spent most of the afternoon signing autographs and modeling the team’s new uniforms.
“This is why I came back,” said Waltman, an offseason free agent, glancing at the long line of fans waiting to meet him. “This is why I came back to sign with the Comets. This is the team and this is the place to be in the MISL.”
The Missouri Comets did not sign any players from this past weekend’s first Major Indoor Soccer League Combine, but coach Kim Roentved did invite two midfielders to the team’s open camp in a few weeks.
“Our roster is pretty much set, so for us to sign a player, he would need to be someone who could step in and make an immediate impact,” Roentved said after the scouting combine that was held at the SoccerDome, the Sports Lodge and the Independence Events Center over the weekend. “I didn’t see any players like that. However, I did see the two midfielders and believe they deserve a second look working out with the boys from our team.”
The players he mentioned are Tomoyuki Kinoshit and Andre Braithgwaite.
“Of the 60 to 70 players at the combine,” Roentved said, “these are the two players who really caught my attention. I think Tomoyuki could play midfield, but we are looking at Andre as more of a defender.”
When he wasn’t watching the combine, the coach was taking part in the annual Fan Fest, which exceeded the team’s expectations.?“We had 300 posters to give away and they were gone in the first 10 minutes we opened the doors,” Comets president Brian Budzinski said. “We never anticipated having this many fans. It’s just amazing,”
Throughout the course of the three-hour Fan Fest, more than 1,000 fans attended. During much of the event, members of the combine were participating in practice games.
“When I drove up and saw all the cars in the parking lot, I thought there must be some kind of hockey tournament going on next door,” Comets defender Brian Harris said. “Then I got inside and realized they were all here for the Fan Fest.
“Really, I was blown away. I couldn’t believe it.”
Neither could goalkeeper Danny Waltman, who spent most of the afternoon signing autographs and modeling the team’s new uniforms.
“This is why I came back,” said Waltman, an offseason free agent, glancing at the long line of fans waiting to meet him. “This is why I came back to sign with the Comets. This is the team and this is the place to be in the MISL.”
