COMETS TRADE FOR VETERAN DEFENDER

by Scott Levinson

KANSAS CITY (March 3, 2022) – The Kansas City Comets announced today that the club has made a trade with the St. Louis Ambush to acquire the rights to 9-year MASL veteran defender, Richard Schmermund. In exchange for Schmermund, the Ambush will receive cash considerations from the Comets.


Schmermund joined the St. Louis Ambush for their 2013-14 inaugural season, his first of five seasons with the club, leaving as a free agent following the 2017-18 season. Schmermund spent the 2018-19 season with the Orlando SeaWolves. After starting the 2019-20 season with Orlando, Schmermund was traded to the Baltimore Blast, where he finished the season. In 130 career regular season MASL games, he has posted 44 goals and 34 assists while blocking 122 shots. While appearing in 12 games this season for the Ambush, Schmermund scored 2 goals and 8 assists with 19 blocked shots.


Schmermund is a St. Louis-area native who played prep soccer at McCluer High School and club soccer for Scott Gallagher and Lou Fusz. Schmermund’s collegiate career was spent at St. Louis Community College, where he was awarded First Team All-Conference.


“We appreciate the professionalism from Ambush owners, Shelly Clark and Jeff Locker to make this trade happen,” said Comets Managing Partner, Brian Budzinski. “Anytime you can add a 9-year league veteran to your back line, you go for it. Rich will be another integral piece to our defense as we move toward the postseason.”


“I just want to thank the Comets organization for giving me this opportunity,” said Schmermund. “I can’t wait to get to work with the team as we continue our hunt for the Ron Newman Cup.”


Schmermund will be making his Comets debut Friday night at 7pm when the Comets square off against the second place Dallas Sidekicks at Cable Dahmer Arena.