LUCAS RODRIGUEZ ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

KANSAS CITY (December 16, 2020) – Longtime Comets midfielder, Lucas Rodriguez announced today that he is retiring from professional arena soccer.

Rodriguez’s retirement brings to an end a 9-year professional arena soccer league career that began with a standout rookie campaign during the team’s 2010-2011 inaugural season where he appeared in 17 games, recording 19 points and earning MISL Rookie of the Year honors. Rodriguez recorded his best season as a Comet during the 2013-2014 season, where he scored 15 goals, to go along with 15 assists for 47 points. All totaled, including MISL and MASL postseasons, Rodriguez logged 206 games as a Comet, scoring 120 goals, 85 assists and recording 257 points for his career. 

Born in Buenos Aries, Argentina, Rodriguez played collegiately at Mid America Nazarene in Olathe, KS, and led the Pioneers to the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Championship in his senior year and was named the HACC’s MVP while making the conference First Team and Third-Team All-America.

Following college, Rodriguez signed to play outdoors with NSC Minnesota (now Minnesota United) of the National American Soccer League (NASL) where he amassed 61 appearances and 7 goals in his four seasons with the team. During his one season away from the Comets, Rodriguez played outdoors for the Jacksonville Armada of the NASL.

“I have had the pleasure of watching Lucas grow from Rookie of the Year to MISL Champion to a wonderful husband and father,” said Comets Managing Partner, Brian Budzinski. “I appreciate everything he has done for the Comets organization over his 9 years with us and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him in his next chapter in life.”

“I want to say thank you to the entire organization, front office, coaches, and teammates I have had the pleasure of knowing and playing with during my career,” said Rodriguez. “I am so proud to have played and represented KC - my home with honor. I’ll miss the locker room, but leave with fantastic memories. Thank you to the fans and my family for always believing in me and supporting me. It’s been a great ride.”