Kim Roentved returns to sideline to coach B-52s indoor soccer team

Kim Roentved had returned to Wichita two to three days a week from his Kansas City home to help the B-52s soccer team. The indoor legend worked at rekindling old friendships and landing investors while keeping an eye on the on-field product.

Now it’s become a full-time job. Roentved has become the B-52s’ coach, taking over for Jeff Kraft, who was fired last week after a 2-4 start.

“There was something lacking on the playing field,” Roentved said. “I’ve made a commitment to Joey (Pindall, team president) and the people I dragged in, but mostly the fans and the team. I’ll be a part of this for the remainder of the season and see if we can make some strides in the right direction.”

The B-52s have made small strides. One of the losses was in overtime, another was in a shootout, and a third was in a game where Wichita had the lead late.

“I need to teach them how to finish the happy meal,” Roentved said. “In being 2-4, we could be 5-1. We lost fair and square in Kansas City, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have won the other three games.”

Roentved, 64, said he has told Pindall that he wants to bring in three or four players to improve the team quickly. The B-52s are in fourth place in the Major Arena Soccer League’s Central Division with 14 games remaining.

Wichita plays host to Chicago at 7 p.m. Saturday at Park City’s Hartman Arena.

This story was originally published December 2, 2014 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Kim Roentved returns to sideline to coach B-52s indoor soccer team."