Swope Park Rangers filling in the roster

he Swope Park Rangers may be more focused on youth this year but they still need to have a core of players with some USL experience that could possibly develop into depth for Sporting Kansas City. With those needs in mind, the Rangers have added three players in the last few days that have some USL and even a little MLS experience.

After New Year’s, Swope Park Rangers have announced midfielders Rodrigo Saravia and Bryam Rebellon and defender Matheus Silva to the roster.

Rebellon comes to the Rangers from the North American Soccer League’s Jacksonville Armada where he made 23 appearances with one assist. The 25-year-old Colombian played for LA Galaxy II in 2016 where he appeared 25 times with two goals.

Silva is a 21-year-old Brazilian defender that made a few appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes before going on loan to Arizona (now Phoenix Rising) in the USL. Silva was one of the top prep players in the United States while playing for the Montverde Academy in Florida. Silva has some size, he is listed at 6-2 and 200 lbs and has played both centerback and defensive mid.

Saravia is the most recent signing, coming to Sporting KC’s ‘B’ team after playing for the Columbus Crew. The 24-year-old midfielder was the Crew’s first round pick in 2016 after a good showing at the MLS Combine. The Guatemala City native earned collegiate honors at Florida Gulf Coast University and has 6 caps for the Guatemalan national team.

Swope Park Roster:

GK Darrin MacLeod – SPR exercised option

D Dakota Barnathan – SPR exercised option

D Parker Maher – SPR exercised option

D Matheus Silva - new

M Rodrigo Saravia - new

M Bryam Rebellon - new

M Felipe Hernandez – still under contract after signing from SKC Academy

M Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal – still under contract after signing from SKC Academy

M Will Little – still under contract after signing from SKC Academy

Turnover

As is typical with the Rangers, there has been a lot of turnover again this year. SPR had declined options on goalkeeper David Greczek, defenders Joe Amico and Liam Doyle and midfielder Robert Mirosavic after the 2017 season. Defender Oumar Ballo and forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez were not offered new contracts.

Both Ballo and Doyle signed with expansion side Nashville SC. Lebo Moloto’s option was exercised by SPR but he was later traded to Nashville SC where former Sporting KC assistant Technical Director is in charge. Gonzalez has signed with Reno 1868 FC.

Swope Park did offer contracts to Christian Duke and Nansel Selbol for 2018. Duke has been the captain for both years SPR existed but ended up signing with Orange County SC. With his new team being the affiliate of MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC, Duke may have seen it as a better opportunity to make it back to MLS.

Selbol has still not signed.

Thad Bell