COMETS SIGN ROOKIE, VETERAN MIDFIELDERS

by Pat Clifton

KANSAS CITY (Oct. 17, 2019) – The Kansas City Comets have signed two local products ahead of the 2019/2020 season, bringing back nine-year veteran Lucas Rodriguez and inking first-time-pro Hector “Moy” Solorio Villalpando. Both have signed two-year deals. Per team and league policies, no further terms of the agreements will be disclosed.  

Rodriguez has spent every season with the Comets since the franchise’s rebirth in 2010, save one when he was playing outdoor with the Jacksonville Armada. Solorio Villalpando is fresh out of college, having played NCAA DI at Niagara University.

Both Rodriguez and Solorio Villalpando cut their teeth in Kansas City, Rodriguez playing at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School before earning All-American honors at both Johnson County Community College and Mid-America Nazarene, and Solorio playing two years at Oak Park High School before being selected for the Sporting KC Academy and eventually landing at Niagara.

Rodriguez, the Major Indoor Soccer League Rookie of the Year in his maiden voyage with the Comets in 2010/2011, scored 20 goals from the midfield last season.

“I would love to be able to finish my indoor career at only one club. I think there’s a lot of value in that. I’m a loyal person,” said Rodriguez. “I’m just excited to continue to play and represent the city at the highest level and do everything we can to put Kansas City’s name out there where it belongs.”

“As one of the top 30 players in this league we look for Lucas to continue to be a playmaker, control the midfield and finish his opportunities,” said Brian Budzinski, Comets managing partner. “Lucas is one of those players that makes others around him better with his vision and technique in tight spaces.”

Solorio Villalpando grew up going to Comets games with his father, banging the drums from the stands at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Like Rodriguez, Solorio Villalpando is a midfielder who comes to the MASL via the USL, having spent last season with Kaw Valley FC. He represents the new crop of talent Budzinski is injecting into the squad.

“Going out and competing, I have high expectations for myself. This is a great opportunity to keep playing soccer, to keep playing the sport I love. I’m ready to go and compete. I know I can play. I’m just excited to just go out and do the best I can every day, every training session, every game,” Solorio Villalpando said.

“Moy is a player that I have watched develop throughout the years. There is obviously a progression you can see from the player. Now as a first-time professional, we expect Hector to continue that progression as a rookie in the MASL. He’s a hard-working player with a bright young mind.”

The first chance for Comets fans to watch Rodriguez and Solorio Villalpando live this season is the Nov. 30 home opener against the St. Louis Ambush at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. For tickets and information call 888-9-COMETS (266387)