Swope Park Rangers Renew Three, Release 11

The Swope Park Rangers, Sporting Kansas City’s USL team, also announced their roster moves Friday. The Rangers have exercised contract options on just two players, midfielder Rassambek Akhmatov and forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker.

Akhmatov joined the Rangers on August 3rd and was a regular starter by the end of the season. Just a few days later on the 10th, Vanacore-Decker joined the club. He had a much smaller role, making just a few appearances. Apparently Paulo Nagamura and company saw enough to bring the New York Red Bulls Academy product back for another year.

Four Sporting KC Academy products are still under contract for 2019 as well. Midfielders Camilo Benitez, Felipe Hernandez, Will Little and forward Wilson Harris.

Swope Park and defender Justin Bilyeu also agreed to a new contract. That brings the total number of rostered players to just seven, not counting players on Academy contracts which were not addressed by the team today.

The Rangers declined options on goalkeepers Christian Herrera and Darrin MacLeod, defenders Dakota Barnathan, Thierry Catherine, Matt Lewis, Parker Maher and Bryam Rebellon, midfielders Chase Minter and Matheus Silva and forwards Jose Barragan and Tyler Blackwood.

Forward Hadji Barry is out of contract and it is unknown if the club will try to bring him back after a very successful season setting the club scoring record.