Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kim Roentved introduced as coach of reborn Comets

Posted by David Martin on Thu, Aug 19, 2010 at 11:00 AM

click to enlarge Kim Roentved in his playing days.
  • Kim Roentved in his playing days.

Joined by some of his old Comets teammates, Kim Roentved officially became the head coach of the rebooted indoor soccer franchise on Wednesday. Roentved, twice a Major Indoor Soccer League defender of the year, played for the Comets from 1987 to 1991.

A former player and coach, Roentved stepped away from the professional game in 1999. The trim, blue-eyed Dane indicated at a press conference that he did not immediately jump at the chance to become a part the Comets' return to the MISL. He said the possibility felt at first like going "back to the library."



The Comets will play in the 5,800-seat Independence Events Center, which helped sell Roentved on the idea of coaching the team. He described his initial reaction to the building as "Wow! Kick butt! This is just a top-notch arena."

Comets G.M. Brian Watley said he went on a "long, extensive, comprehensive" search for a head coach. The vast search ended in Shawnee, where Roentved has lived since his days as a Comet. Roentveld, 50, coached youth soccer clubs in the area after retiring from an indoor career that spanned 18 seasons. His son Cole plays on men's soccer team at UMKC.

click to enlarge Kim Roentved in his playing days.
  • Kim Roentved in his playing days.
Roentved said he was going to begin to evaluate video of potential players. He said the team would hold an open tryout six weeks before the season begins. "I'm ready to go," Roentved said. "I appreciate the opportunity."

Former Comets players Gino Schiraldi, Alan Mayer and Doug McLagan attended the press conference in support of their teammate.

Brian Reser
, who watched the Comets play in front of big crowds at Kemper Arena, asked the retired players to sign his old programs when the press conference ended. Reser was at the Comets' final game in 2005. The Comets lost 8-2 amid rumors the franchise might cease to exist.

"It was a crappy game," Reser said. "We played like crap. I was like, 'There's no way it can end like this.'"

It did. But in a couple of months Reser and his wife, Stephanie, who bought season tickets for the Comets' upcoming season, will be able to make new memories.

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