
Game Preview: Syracuse Silver Knights at Missouri Comets and St. Louis Ambush
December 27, 2013 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. The Syracuse Silver Knights (5-1) will begin a three-game road swing on Saturday, when they will take on the Missouri Comets (4-1) at the Independence Events Center.
Saturday's match will be broadcast live on YouTube on the Comets' official page. Missouri's coverage will begin at 8:35 p.m. EST. The game will be available shortly after its completion as on-demand content.
Saturday's meeting is the first match of a busy four day stretch for the Orange, Silver and Black. The Syracuse Silver Knights face the St. Louis Ambush (2-4) on Sunday December 29 and the Milwaukee Wave (4-1) on Tuesday December 31. The road trip is the team's first extended string of fixtures during the MISL season.
The Salt City professional indoor side may be without some key contributors, as the league's total goals leader FW Slavisa Ubiparipovic and target FW LJ Papaleo. The Bosnian and Syracuse native add up to 12 total goals of missing production for the Orange, Silver and Black.
Coach Tommy Tanner's squad saw the return of the MISL's leader in assists, FW Machel Millwood, in Syracuse's last game. The Jamaican dished out two helpers in the rivalry victory for 11 total on the year. Fellow Jamaican teammate Kenardo Forbes is tied for 3rd in the league in points with 22 total on the season.
The Knights are 3-4 all-time against the Comets, however the New York club is win less at 0-4 when playing Missouri in the Independence Events Center. The Orange, Silver and Black split last season's series 2-2 with each team winning their home fixtures.
The Comets are currently a half game behind the first place Silver Knights in the MISL table with a 4-1 record. Missouri has been very strong offensively, having the top two points men in the league with FW Leo Gibson (25) and MF Vahid Assadpour (23). The duo has helped the team lead the league in total points scored with 100. Coach Vlatko Andonovski's squad defeated the St. Louis Ambush 24-13 last Sunday, extending their four-game winning streak.
The Show-Me State club has a connection with the Syracuse Silver Knights. The Orange, Silver and Black acquired now Comets MF Bryan Perez last year in a trade with the Wichita Wings that sent FW Andre Brenzon and FW Matt Clare to Wichita for Perez and FW Jamar Beasley. The ex-Syracuse midfielder tallied eight total goals with seven assists in the Salt City last year.
The Silver Knights will have a quick turnaround after Saturday's match, heading to St. Louis for a date with the Ambush Sunday at 4:35 p.m. EST. Sunday's game will be broadcast live on the club's YouTube page.
St. Louis beat Syracuse 10-6 in New York during their first ever meeting on December 13 for the franchise's premier road victory. The Ambush hold a 1-2 mark at the Family Arena.
The Salt City club finishes up their holiday road swing in Wisconsin against the Milwaukee Wave on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. EST before they will return home against the Comets on January 10th at 7:30 p.m. EST. Single game and Season tickets are selling fast. To become a Silver Knights Supporter call their office at 315-303-7261 and get your tickets today!
Stay tuned to www.SyracuseSilverKnights.com and follow the club on Twitter @CuseKnightsMISL for all the latest news and information on the team ahead of this weekend's matches against the Comets and Ambush.
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights at Missouri Comets
Kickoff: 8:35 p.m. EST at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri
Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/user/MISLComets
Online: The @CuseKnightsMISL Twitter Feed will provide match updates
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights at St. Louis Ambush
Kickoff: 4:35 p.m. EST at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri
Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/user/StLouisAmbush
Online: The @CuseKnightsMISL Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Syracuse History v. Missouri
The Silver Knights are 3-4 all-time against the Comets, however the New York club is winless at 0-4 when playing Missouri in the Independence Events Center. The Orange, Silver and Black split last season's series 2-2 with each team winning their home fixtures.
Syracuse lost its last meeting 17-9 in the Independence Events Center on December 29, 2012.
Syracuse History v. St. Louis
The Silver Knights will be making their first ever trip to the Family Arena. Historically, Syracuse is winless in the state of Missouri at 0-4.
St. Louis beat Syracuse 10-6 in New York during their first ever meeting on December 13 for the franchise's premier road victory. The Ambush hold a 1-2 mark at home.
Local Star Signed by Silver Knights
The Syracuse Silver Knights of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) have announced the signing of midfielder/defender Mawuena Agbossoumonde.
Silver Knights Midfielder/Defender, Mawuena Agbossoumonde, Syracuse, New York
Agbossoumonde joins the Knights after years of soccer spent in Central New York. The midfielder/defender played with teammate LJ Papaleo at Christian Brothers Academy and Syracuse University. He believes that familiarity will help him out with the Orange, Silver and Black.
"LJ and I grew up together and we trained over the summer," Agbossoumonde explains. "I know his game really well. He knows my game really well and it makes me comfortable to make decisions on the field."
The former CBA star also has connections to other current Silver Knights. Agbossoumonde played with Bo Jelovac and Domenico Vitale on the NPSL side Greater Binghamton FC, starting 10 matches with two goals.
Syracuse expects to use the versatile player as another option off of the bench to bolster a deep roster.
"I personally think this is one of the best teams in the league," the hometown hero said. "I need to step my game up in order to be productive on the team."
Originally from Togo, Agbossoumonde immigrated from Africa to Syracuse with his family when he was 10 years old with his brother Gale, who now plays for MLS side Toronto FC.
The Syracuse Silver Knights are back in action Saturday against the Missouri Comets to start a three game road swing. Kickoff is set for 8:35 pm at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri. The Orange, Silver and Black return to the Oncenter War Memorial January 10 in a rematch against the Comets at 7:30 pm. Tickets are going fast! To become a Silver Knights Supporter call their office at 315-303-7261 and get your tickets today!
• Discuss this story on the Major Indoor Soccer League message board...
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 27, 2013
- Lancers Upend Roar - Rochester Lancers
- Weekend Preview - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Syracuse Silver Knights Sign Agbossoumonde - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Game Preview: Syracuse Silver Knights at Missouri Comets and St. Louis Ambush - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Comets Battle for First Place - Kansas City Comets
- Ambush Play Visitor and Host this Weekend - St. Louis Ambush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
