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The Blue Testament’s Thad Bell tweeted out some unfortunate news that Ze Pedro has mutually terminated his contract with Sporting Kansas City II.
Ze Pedro, has left Sporting KC II after his contract was terminated by mutual consent #SportingKC #SKCII #USL
— Thad (@TheBackpost) July 2, 2020
This will be a big blow after the Portuguese winger contributed to five goals and three assists in 13 games since signing in July of 2019. He started and played 60 minutes in his only chance to appear in 2020 in the opener against Charlotte Independence.
Four Additions
As announced earlier this week, Sporting KC II signed SKC Academy standout Jake Davis to a professional contract. Sporting KC II added to their growing roster by signing four more standouts to academy contracts: Josh Chong, Ryan Fessler, Mason Leeth, and Jahon Rad.
.@LeethMason joined @SKCAcademy from Affiliate @SPORTINGBV in 2017 and has gone on to make 44 appearances for the U-17s & U-19s, tallying 11 goals while playing in a myriad of different positions. Leeth has spent a large amount of time over the past year training with SKC II. pic.twitter.com/E0skQlbZrj
— Sporting KC II (@SportingKCII) July 2, 2020
Rad, 19, brings the most experience of the four, as he reunites with his brother after appearing in five games total from the previous two seasons. Rad has primarily appeared at the defensive midfielder position with Sporting KC II. Jahon Rad is the twin brother of recent SKC II signing Kaveh Rad, who lined up extensively at center back in 2019. J. Rad had previously been committed to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack. No word on if he plans to still leave for college as it potentially starts back up in the fall.
Josh Chong signed a similar contract last year, but never made an appearance while Mason Leeth has signed his first USL contract. Ryan Fessler previously signed an academy contract in 2018 but never made an appearance with the Swope Park Rangers.
Chong, 19, moved to Kansas City in 2013. He has played on both wings and tallied 11 goals across 55 appearances for the SKC Academy U-17 and U-19 teams after spending a bit of time outside the academy before rejoining in 2018.
Fessler, also 19, another of the many North Carolina players to come through the SKC Academy (Gianluca Busio, Jaylin Lindsey, Tucker Lepley and others), has scored 12 times for the academy. According to the team he was set to join Wake Forest in 2019 but stayed with SKC.
Finally Leeth, who is 19 himself, will join after coming over from Sporting Blue Valley in 2017. He has 11 goals too, playing many positions all over the field.
With the news of the schedule along with Ze Pedro’s dismissal and the new signings, this final 15 game stretch is going to be extremely tough. Some of the exciting offseason acquisitions like Enoch Mushagalasa, Fredinho Mompremier, and Petar Cuic will definitely need to step up and guide SKC II to a respectable record.
While it would be surprising if SKC II get any SKC first team players other than maybe Tyler Freeman and Graham Smith until August, these additions will help add depth and this will be very valuable experience for the future of Sporting KC.