Kansas City, Mo. - The Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League, announced the signing of two former Central Methodist men's soccer standouts to professional contracts.
Junior Kazeem and Adrian Gutierrez, who joined the team this week, will look to help the Comets make a deep postseason run beginning in mid-April.
Kazeem played for the Eagles from 2016-19, helping Central to secure their first two national championships in program history his junior and senior seasons. The London, England native appeared in 83 career games with 29 starts. He was a two-time Heart All-Conference selection and recorded eight goals and eight assists during his senior year.
Kazeem also opened the scoring against Hasting in the 2019 NAIA National Championship, propelling Central to their second-straight national title.
"All Junior has done is win championships," said Comets team owner Brian Budzinski. "He won back-to-back NAIA National Championships at Central Methodist under Coach Alex Nichols and recently won Back-to-Back NPSL Heartland Division championships for the Tulsa Athletics. Junior is a strong, active, and fast forward. He is going to create some matchup problems for teams around the league as a target forward."
Guitierrez goes down as the most decorated player in program history. The native of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain was honored as the NAIA National Player of the Year in 2018, finalizing a resume that includes: two-time Heart Offensive Player of the Year, Heart Player of the Year, 2018 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship All-Tournament Team and three-time All-Conference. He is a two-time NAIA First Team All-American selection.
In 2018, Gutierrez picked up nine goals and 12 assists, proving to be the catalyst of an Eagle attack that ranked third in the nation in shots/game (21.8) and goals (93).
"Adrian is extremely comfortable in tight spaces," noted Budzinksi. "He is an intelligent player who has a bright future in our game. Anytime you can add a national champion and Player of the Year, you have to be excited."
The duo join Rian Marques, who played for the Eagles for one season during their second national championship run in 2019.
The Comets will be in action Saturday, April 2 against the St. Louis Ambush at The Family Arena in Saint Charles, Mo.
To view the Comets 2022 schedule, please click here.
#TakeFlight
