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It's shaping up to be another busy preseason for the Swope Park Rangers as four players: Hadji Barry, Felipe Hernandez, Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, and newly signed Rodrigo Saravia joined the senior team in Tucson, while the Rangers began preseason training last week.
Schedule
The club released their preseason schedule last week. The Rangers will partake in six matches throughout the preseason, starting with three games at Swope Park Village.
To kick things off, preseason is set to begin on Feb. 10, when the Rangers welcome Rockhurst University at 3:30 pm before taking on USL rival Tulsa Roughnecks FC a week later.
The home side will face Creighton on Feb. 24th before hitting the road for their next two matches in Indianapolis, to challenge - USL's newest addition - Indy Eleven and Indiana University over a five-day training camp from late February through early March.
SPR will conclude preseason when they host the University of Missouri-Kansas City before beginning preparations to open their 2018 campaign in Reno on March 17th.
All home games are free and open to the public.
Roster
With a schedule in place, the Rangers announced their full preseason roster and judging by it, we could potentially see some new faces on the pitch, as 12 Sporting KC Academy players and eight unsigned trialists joins the squad.
The Rangers currently have 10 players under contract for the 2018 season, the returning six: Dakota Barnathan, Felipe Hernandez, Will Little, Darrin MacLeod, Parker Maher, and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal; including the four new signings whom were added during the offseason: Matheus Silva, Bryam Rebellon, Rodrigo Saravia and Hadji Barry.
A notable Academy player on the roster is - former captain Christian Duke's little brother - Cameron Duke. Much like his brother, Duke is already a well-decorated player having been called-up for the United States' U-14, U-15 and U-16 teams - including recently being called into action again for the United States Under-18 Men’s National Team for two upcoming friendlies against the Costa Rica Under-18 Men’s National Team from Feb. 4-12 in Orlando.
Duke was also one of two SKC Academy players invited to join the senior team for preseason this year, recording 60 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Phoenix Rising FC.