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Sporting KC has announced that Amer Didic and Tyler Pasher have been signed to short term loans for the club's upcoming CONCACAF Champion's League match against Central FC in Trinidad & Tobago. This marks the first time in club history a Swope Park Ranger earned a promotion to the senior squad.
The club signed the duo to Short-Term Agreements (four day contracts) and per MLS rules, a team can sign a player from it's USL affiliate to up to four of these contracts in a season for CCL, USOC, or exhibition matches. Didic and Pasher can get this 'call up' for the whole CCL group stage this year.
Amer Didic, a 6'4" centerback, was not expected to be as important to the Rangers as he has been. The 21 year old was not starting to begin the season, but took full advantage of his time on the field and gave head coach Marc Dos Santos no choice but to start him. Didc has 21 appearances on the season, 14 starts, and has really started to impress the last couple months. He has started the last eight matches for the club and earned Team of the Week honors three times over that period.
Tyler Pasher, from Ontario, Canada, was also a big surprise at the beginning of this season. Unexpectedly, Pasher looked like he was the best player on the field the first couple matches. The 22 year old's pace and creativity on the wing has been absolutely vital to the SPR attack all season long, and he's got three goals to his name over 17 appearances. Dos Santos has taken advantage of his versatility this season as well, playing him on defense as a left back.
It is really good to see Rangers get the call for the first time. It completes the pipeline for young players to see their path from an SKC youth affiliate to playing in The Blue Hell with the Sporting KC. This does not mean Peter Vermes is just throwing in the towel for this competition. Yes - it's partially out of necessity due to injuries - but these two players deserve this chance and they should be able to help out the squad if called upon.