Swope Park Rangers Sign Former NE Revolution RB Mark Segbers

The roster build for Sporting Kansas City’s B-Team, the Swope Park Rangers, got another jolt on Wednesday with the announcement that the club signed fullback Mark Segbers. The 22-year-old is a St. Louis native who went to college at the University of Wisconsin and picked up United Soccer Coaches DI National Scholar Player of the Year and MAC Player of the Year honors while in school.

In 2018 he was drafted ninth overall in the SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. According to MLS’ official site he didn’t appear in the MLS regular season at all but other sources have him subbing on for the final 44 minutes on October 18th against Real Salt Lake. He also appeared in the US Open Cup in a 3-2 loss by the Revs to Louisville City FC, the club that would go on to win the USL Cup in 2018. Segbers tallied a goal in that appearance.

Segbers spent much of 2018 on loan to the USL Western Conference regular season champs, Orange County SC. Over 19 appearances he had two goals and four assists.

SPR lists Segbers as a defender and he has played primarily at right back throughout his career but he has also played as a wide midfielder and right winger. Positional diversity is something that both Peter Vermes and Paulo Nagamura value in players.

Currently, there is just one defender listed on the USL roster of Swope Park, left back Justin Bilyeu. It would seem Segbers has a clear path to the starting right back spot that was vacated when SKC declined the contract option on 2017 first round pick Colton Storm. Possible competition at right back could come from second year Sporting KC player Jaylin Lindsey who will likely spend some time on loan with Sporting, though he may find himself on the field with the first team or at least in the 18 with the compacted schedule.

Segbers already played with SPR last weekend in the preseason and now that paperwork is done he can officially join the club. The next preseason game is this Saturday at Swope Soccer Village where SPR will take on Iowa Western Community College. The Rangers won their only preseason game so far with a 5-0 victory over Barton Community College in a team littered with trialists and SKC Academy players.