Match Notes: Rangers vs. Nashville SC | Aug. 3, 2019 by Sporting Kansas City

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers HOME

AWAY

2019 SPR SCHEDULE DATE

2019 RECORD: 3-10-6

2019 RECORD: 10-5-5

#SPRvNSH MATCH: DATE:

Rangers vs. Nashville SC

Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019

KICKOFF:

7 PM CT

LOCATION:

Children’s Mercy Park (Kansas City, KS)

WATCH:

ESPN+

MATCH PREVIEW The Swope Park Rangers (3-10-6, 15 points) will kick off the month of August on Saturday night, hosting fifth-place Nashville SC (10-5-5, 35 points) in a USL Championship Eastern Conference clash at worldclass Children’s Mercy Park. The sides previously met on May 11 at First Tennessee Park as Nashville earned a decisive 5-1 victory behind a Daniel Rios brace and additional strikes from Alan Winn, Kharlton Belmar and Cameron Lancaster. Rangers leading scorer and Nashville native Felipe Hernandez found the back of the net in the second half, but the Sporting KC Academy product’s tally wasn’t nearly enough for SPR to emerge with a result. Led by second-year head coach Paulo Nagamura, the Rangers experienced a pair of dissimilar results in their previous two run-outs. Hernandez, two-goal Sporting KC loanee Kelyn Rowe and 16-year-old Tyler Freeman struck in a thrilling 4-3 home win over Hartford Athletic on July 17, but SPR crashed back down to earth with a 4-0 defeat at Ottawa Fury on July 20. The club’s home match with Charleston Battery last Saturday, July 27, was postponed to a later date to be determined after a vehicle transporting Charleston players to Children’s Mercy Park was involved in an accident. Fortunately no players were hurt.

OPPONENT

Sat., March 9 Sat., March 23 Sat,. April 6 Mon., April 15 Sat., April 20 Sat., April 27 Mon., May 6 Sat., May 11 Sun., May 19 Wed., May 22 Sat., May 25 Wed., June 5 Sat., June 8 Sat., June 15 Sat., June 22 Sun., June 30 Sun., July 7 Wed., July 17 Sat., July 20 Sat., July 27 Sat., Aug. 3 Sat., Aug. 10 Fri., Aug. 16 Sat., Aug. 24 Sun., Sept. 1 Sat., Sept. 7 Sat., Sept. 14 Sat., Sept. 21 Wed., Sept. 25 Mon., Sept. 30 Sat., Oct. 5 Tue., Oct. 8 Sat., Oct. 12 Wed., Oct. 16

TIME (CT)

at New York Red Bulls II 12:00 PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS FC 4:00 BETHLEHEM STEEL FC 4:00 INDY ELEVEN 7:00 at Birmingham Legion FC 4:00 at Saint Louis FC 7:30 LOUISVILLE CITY FC 7:00 at Nashville SC 7:00 ATLANTA UNITED 2 4:00 MEMPHIS 901 FC 7:00 at Tampa Bay Rowdies 6:30 LOUDOUN UNITED FC 7:00 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE 4:00 at North Carolina FC 4:00 at Charleston Battery 6:30 SAINT LOUIS FC 4:00 TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 4:00 HARTFORD ATHLETIC 7:00 at Ottawa Fury FC 6:00 CHARLESTON BATTERY 7:00 NASHVILLE SC 7:00 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC 6:00 at Atlanta United 2 6:30 NEW YORK RED BULLS II 7:00 at Bethlehem Steel FC 5:00 at Memphis 901 FC 7:00 NORTH CAROLINA FC 4:00 at Charlotte Independence 6:00 at Loudoun United FC 6:30 BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC 7:00 at Hartford Athletic 6:00 OTTAWA FURY FC 7:00 at Louisville City FC 6:00 at Indy Eleven 6:00

RESULT

L 1-3 T 2-2 L 3-4 L 1-3 T 0-0 L 1-3 W 3-2 L 1-5 T 1-1 T 2-2 L 0-1 L 2-3 T 0-0 L 0-2 T 1-1 W 2-1 L 1-3 W 4-3 L 0-4 Postponed

SPR INJURY REPORT

OUT: M Camilo Benitez (hip)

OUT: GK Brooks Thompson (back)

as of 7/31/19

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers SPR signs two players

SPR All-time Records

SPR this week announced the signing of two newcomers as 22-year-old Portuguese winger Ze Pedro and 23-year-old Jamaican defender Rennico Clarke. Ze Pedrocame through the academy at world-renowned powerhouse FC Porto, but never made an appearance for the first team. In his most recent move prior to joining the Rangers, Ze Pedro joined S.C. Covilha in the Portuguese second tier at the start of 2019, making six appearances. Clarke most recently played with Harbour View in his native Jamaica. He developed in the club’s academy, eventually reaching the first team in 2014 before his move to Portland Timbers 2 in 2015. He earned an MLS contract with Portland ahead of the 2017 season but spent the majority of the campaign on loan with Timbers 2. After being released by the Timbers, Clarke headed abroad and joined Icelandic outfit FH in 2018 before returning to Harbour View late last year.

Leaders & Superlatives SPR All-Time Goal Leaders 1. Kharlton Belmar (25) 2. Hadji Barry (19) 3. Mark-Anthony Gonzalez (17)

2019 Record All-Time Record

Overall 3-10-6 54-42-29

Home 3-4-4 38-14-13

Away 0-6-2 16-28-16

2019 Scoring First All-Time Scoring First 2019 Conceding First All-Time Conceding First

3-1-1 44-6-12 0-9-3 10-36-10

3-1-1 30-4-5 0-3-2 8-10-5

0-0-0 14-2-7 0-6-1 2-26-5

2019 Leading at Half All-Time Leading at Half 2019 Trailing at Half All-Time Trailing at Half 2019 Tied at Half All-Time Tied at Half

3-1-1 32-2-7 0-6-0 4-28-2 0-3-5 18-12-20

3-1-1 23-1-5 0-2-0 3-8-1 0-1-3 12-5-7

0-0-0 9-1-2 0-4-0 1-20-1 0-2-2 6-7-13

2019 Leading at 75’ All-Time Leading at 75’ 2019 Trailing at 75’ All-Time Trailing at 75’ 2019 Tied at 75’ All-Time Tied at 75’

2-1-0 46-1-4 0-7-2 0-34-5 1-2-4 8-7-20

2-1-0 32-1-2 0-2-1 0-11-2 1-1-3 6-2-9

0-0-0 14-0-2 0-5-1 0-23-3 0-1-1 2-5-11

Justin Bilyeu Retires

SPR All-Time Assist Leaders 1. Felipe Hernandez (10) 2. Kharlton Belmar (9) Kevin Oliveira (9) 4. Christian Duke (8) Colton Storm (8) 6. Ayerton (7) Tyler Pasher (7)

Swope Park Rangers defender Justin Bilyeu announced his retirement from professional soccer in April after a four-year career in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer. Bilyeu, 25, leaves the sport due to a history of concussions. He will remain under contract with the Rangers for the remainder of 2019 while he receives care from the SPR and Sporting Kansas City medical staff.

Biggest win: 5-1 vs. LA Galaxy II (10/14/2018) 4-0 (two times)

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Bilyeu joined the New York Red Bulls in the first round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft after a standout four-year career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Across two seasons in New York, he made four MLS appearances and played 29 USL championship matches for New York Red Bulls II.

Worst loss: 5-1 (two times) 4-0 (two times)

Bilyeu spent the second half of the 2017 USL Championship campaign with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros before joining the Rangers in March 2018.

Fastest goal: 2’ (four times) Fastest goal against: 1’ vs. Reno (7/30/17) Latest goal: 109’ vs. Phoenix (10/22/17) Latest goal against: 99’ vs. Phoenix (10/22/17) Most goals in a game by SPR player: 2 (12 times)

He logged 13 appearances for SPR in 2018, helping the club to its third straight postseason appearance. He also played the entirety of both playoff matches last fall.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 ROSTER ALPHABETICAL ROSTER No. Player 60 Mohammed Abualnadi 95 Rassambek Akhmatov 98 Ayyoub Allach 92 Alexsander 77 Camilo Benitez 42 Justin Bilyeu 54 Josh Chong 33 Rennico Clarke 53 Killian Colombie 64 Jake Davis 96 Wilson Harris 85 Felipe Hernandez 59 Dylan Hooper 80 Sean Karani 47 Tucker Lepley 49 Will Little 39 Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 79 William Opoku Mensah 70 Ze Pedro 45 John Pulskamp 84 Jahon Rad 48 Kaveh Rad 44 Camden Riley 43 Mark Segbers 63 Tucker Stephenson 31 Brooks Thompson 67 Max Trejo 91 Ethan Vanacore-Decker

Pos. D M M D/M M D F D F M F M D F M M M F F GK M D D/M D F GK GK F

Ht. 6-1 5-7 5-11 5-7 5-7 6-1 5-8 6-4 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-7 6-0 5-8 5-4 5-7 5-9 5-8 5-9 6-2 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-9 5-11 6-3 6-1 5-11

Wt. 165 150 145 135 150 175 135 195 155 150 165 135 175 155 125 135 155 165 175 190 180 160 175 160 160 170 155 165

Birthdate (age) 02/08/2001 (18) 05/31/1996 (23) 01/28/1998 (21) 09/06/1998 (20) 08/16/1999 (19) 02/03/1994 (25) 01/29/2001 (18) 08/26/1995 (23) 11/02/1995 (23) 01/03/2002 (17) 11/28/1999 (19) 06/08/1998 (21) 11/13/2003 (15) 12/14/2000 (18) 01/17/2002 (17) 04/09/1998 (21) 09/30/1998 (20) 01/03/1996 (23) 01/12/1997 (22) 04/19/2001 (18) 06/13/2001 (18) 06/13/2001 (18) 08/20/1996 (22) 04/18/1996 (23) 10/23/1996 (22) 05/28/2002 (17) 04/10/2002 (17) 10/06/1994 (24)

NUMERICAL ROSTER WITH PRONUNCIATION No. Player Pos. Pronunciation 31 Brooks Thompson GK -- 33 Rennico Clarke D RENN-ih-coe 39 Jerome Ngom Mbekeli M EN-gahm EM-buh-KAY-lee 42 Justin Bilyeu D BILL-you 43 Mark Segbers D -- 44 Camden Riley D/M -- 45 John Pulskamp GK 47 Tucker Lepley M 48 Kaveh Rad D KAH-vay 49 Will Little M -- 50 Dylan Hooper D 53 Killian Colombie F coh-LOHM-bee 54 Josh Chong F 60 Mohammed Abualnadi D AH-boo-ahl-NAH-dee 63 Tucker Stephenson F 64 Jake Davis M 67 Max Trejo GK TRAY-ho 70 Ze Pedro F 77 Camilo Benitez M -- 79 William Opoku Mensah F uh-POE-koo MEN-suh 80 Sean Karani F kuh-RAH-nee 84 Jahon Rad M jah-HON 85 Felipe Hernandez M -- 91 Ethan Vanacore-Decker F -- 92 Alexsander D/M -- 95 Rassambek Akhmatov M RAH-sahm-beck AHK-mah-tov 96 Wilson Harris F -- 98 Ayyoub Allach M EYE-oob AH-lahck

Hometown Leawood, KS Strasbourg, France -Mechelen, Belgium Uberlandia, Brazil Ibarra, Ecuador St. Louis, MO Lynchburg, VA Kingston, Jamaica Paris, France Rochester, MI Los Angeles, CA Nashville, TN Shawnee, KS Wichita, KS Charlotte, NC Johnson City, TN Cameroon Sekondi, Ghana Sao Jao da Madeira, Portugal Bakersfield, CA Durham, NC Durham, NC Dallas, TX St. Louis, MO Overland Park, KS Floyds Knobs, IN Lawrence, KS Manahawkin, NJ

Birthplace Jefferson, IN Kingston, Jamaica Cameroon St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO Dallas, TX Bakersfield, CA Charlotte, NC Chapel Hill, NC Johnson City, TN Overland Park, KS Paris, France Seoul, South Korea Overland Park, KS Overland Park, KS Rochester, MI Mexico City, Mexico Sao Jao da Madeira, Portugal Ibarra, Ecuador Sekondi, Ghana Wichita, KS Chapel Hill, NC Ibague, Colombia Boca Raton, FL Uberlandia, Brazil Atchkhoi-Martan, Chechnya Los Angeles, CA Mechelen, Belgium

College ----Southern Illinois University Edwardsville --Iona University -------------University of the Pacific University of Wisconsin Loyola University Chicago --Rutgers University

Last Club Sporting KC Academy Harbour View (Jamaica) MFK Vyskov (Czech Republic) Rio Grande Valley FC (USL Championship) New England Revolution (MLS) -LA Galaxy Academy Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Albion Hurricanes FC Royals (USL League Two) Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Kaw Valley FC Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy SC Covilha (Portugal) Sporting KC Academy Karela United (Ghana) Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy North County United (USL League Two) Athletico Paranaense (Brazil) FC Miami City (USL League Two) Sporting KC Academy Lierse SK (Belgium)

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 PLAYER STATS Player Mohammed Abualnadi Rassambek Akhmatov Ayyoub Allach Alexsander Camilo Benitez Justin Bilyeu Gianluca Busio * Killian Colombie Josh Chong Jake Davis Eric Dick * Tyler Freeman * Wilson Harris Felipe Hernandez Dylan Hooper Erik Hurtado * Sean Karani Tucker Lepley Jaylin Lindsey * Will Little Jerome Ngom Mbekeli Jimmy Medranda * William Opoku Mensah John Pulskamp Jahon Rad Kaveh Rad Camden Riley Kelyn Rowe * Abdul Rwatubyaye * Mark Segbers Graham Smith * Tucker Stephenson Brooks Thompson Max Trejo Ethan Vanacore-Decker Rodney Wallace * Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal * Gedion Zelalem * Adrian Zendejas *

GP GS 4 4 10 7 12 10 18 18 0 0 1 1 3 3 17 6 0 0 3 2 6 6 7 5 13 9 17 16 0 0 1 1 12 4 1 0 1 1 12 9 17 12 1 1 0 0 5 5 3 1 9 7 16 15 2 2 1 1 18 17 13 13 0 0 1 1 1 1 16 9 1 1 13 11 4 4 6 6

MIN 329 623 879 1,603 0 90 270 631 0 168 540 349 683 1,450 0 53 511 7 90 702 1,159 53 0 450 124 652 1,292 180 90 1,535 1,170 0 90 90 904 90 1,010 310 540

GLS AST * Sporting KC loanee 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 8 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 GOALKEEPER STATS Player Adrian Zendejas * Eric Dick * John Pulskamp Brooks Thompson Max Trejo

GP GS MIN 6 6 540 6 6 540 5 5 450 1 1 90 1 1 90

GA GAA SO SV W-L-T 12 2.00 1 18 0-3-3 13 2.17 1 32 0-4-2 11 1.20 0 14 2-2-1 * Sporting KC loanee 3 3.00 0 2 1-0-0 4 4.00 0 5 0-1-0

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 LINEUPS at New York Red Bulls II (L 1-3) Saturday, March 9, 2019

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC (T 2-2) Saturday, March 23, 2019

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC (L 3-4) Saturday, April 6, 2019

GK Eric Dick

GK Adrian Zendejas

GK Max Trejo

RB Jaylin Lindsey CB Graham Smith (C) CB Justin Bilyeu LB Alexsander (Mark Segbers 73’)

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith CB Mo Abualnadi LB Rodney Wallace

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith (C) CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

CDM Wan Kuzain RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Ayyoub Allach

CDM Gedion Zelalem (Wan Kuzain 59’) RCM Kelyn Rowe (C) LCM Gianluca Busio

CDM Ayyoub Allach RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Jake Davis (Wan Kuzain 60’)

RF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 67’) LF Tyler Freeman (Killian Colombie 67’)

RF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 75’) LF Tyler Freeman (Killian Colombie 68’)

RF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker (Wilson Harris 77’) LF Killian Colombie (Will Little 80’)

INDY ELEVEN (L 1-3) Monday, April 15, 2019

at Birmingham Legion FC (T 0-0) Saturday, April 20, 2019

at Saint Louis FC (L 1-3) Saturday, April 27, 2019

GK Eric Dick

GK Adrian Zendejas

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith (C) CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

CDM Wan Kuzain (Ayyoub Allach 78’) RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Gedion Zelalem

CDM Wan Kuzain (Rassambek Akhmatov 93’) RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Ayyoub Allach

CDM Ayyoub Allach RCM Felipe Hernandez (Rassambek Akhmatov 82’) LCM Wan Kuzain

RF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli CF Wilson Harris (Sean Karani 45) LF Killian Colombie (Will Little 68)

RF Will Little CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker (Sean Karani 84’) LF Killian Colombie (Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 62’)

RF Will Little CF Wilson Harris (Sean Karani 72’) LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Killian Colombie 66’)

LOUISVILLE CITY FC (W 3-2) Monday, May 6, 2019

at Nashville SC (L 1-5) Saturday, May 11, 2019

ATLANTA UNITED 2 (T 1-1) Sunday, May 19, 2019

GK John Pulskamp

GK Adrian Zendejas (C)

GK John Pulskamp

RB Mark Segbers CB Abdul Rwatubyaye CB Mo Abualnadi LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Camden Riley CB Mo Abualnadi (Kaveh Rad 60’) LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Graham Smith (C) LB Alexsander

CDM Camden Riley (C) RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Rassambek Akhmatov

CDM Jahon Rad RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Rassambek Akhmatov

CDM Camden Riley RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Gedion Zelalem

RF Will Little (Sean Karani 67’) CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker (Wilson Harris 78’) LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Killian Colombie 85’)

RF Will Little (Killian Colombie 65’) CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker (Wilson Harris 73’) LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli

RF Will Little (Killian Colombie 85’) CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker (70’) LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Sean Karani 62’)

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 LINEUPS MEMPHIS 901 FC (T 2-2) Wednesday, May 22, 2019

at Tampa Bay Rowdies (L 0-1) Saturday, May 25, 2019

LOUDOUN UNITED FC (L 2-3) Wednesday, June 5, 2019

GK Eric Dick

GK Adrian Zendejas (C)

GK John Pulskamp

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Camden Riley (C) LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Mo Abualnadi LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Camden Riley (C) LB Alexsander

CDM Rassambek Akhmatov RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Jake Davis (Jahon Rad 83’)

CDM Camden Riley RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Rassambek Akhmatov

CDM Ayyoub Allach (Jahon Rad 63’) RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Rassambek Akhmatov

RF Sean Karani CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker LF Tyler Freeman (Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 46’)

RF Will Little (Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 68’) CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 83’) LF Sean Karani (Killian Colombie 63’)

RF Sean Karani CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 63’) LF Killian Colombie (Will Little 74’)

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE (T 0-0) Saturday, June 8, 2019

at North Carolina FC (L 0-2) Saturday, June 15, 2019

at Charleston Battery (T 1-1) Saturday, June 22, 2019

GK Adrian Zendejas (C)

GK Eric Dick

GK Adrian Zendejas (C)

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith (C) CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

CDM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal RCM Gedion Zelalem (Felipe Hernandez 71’) LCM Gianluca Busio

CDM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal (Tyler Freeman 71’) RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Gianluca Busio

CDM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Rassambek Akhmatov (Ayyoub Allach 65’)

RF Sean Karani (Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 59’) CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker LF Ayyoub Allach (Killian Colombie 59’)

RF Ayyoub Allach CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker (Wilson Harris 78’) LF Killian Colombie (Jerome Ngom Mbekeli 58’)

RF Will Little (Killian Colombie 77’) CF Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 65’) LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli

SAINT LOUIS FC (W 2-1) Sunday, June 30, 2019

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (L 1-3) Sunday, July 7, 2019

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (W 4-3) Wednesday, July 17, 2019

GK John Pulskamp

GK Eric Dick

GK Brooks Thompson

RB Mark Segbers CB Kaveh Rad CB Graham Smith (C) LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers (Tyler Freeman 78’) CB Kaveh Rad (Jake Davis 65’) CB Graham Smith (C) LB Alexsander

RB Mark Segbers CB Graham Smith (C) CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander

CDM Ayyoub Allach RCM Wan Kuzain (Rassambek Akhmatov 81’) LCM Felipe Hernandez

CDM Ayyoub Allach RCM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal LCM Rassambek Akhmatov

CDM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal RCM Kelyn Rowe LCM Jimmy Medranda (Sean Karani 53’)

RF Will Little (Camden Riley 58’) CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Sean Karani 75’)

RF Will Little (Killian Colombie 54’) CF Ethan Vanacore-Decker LF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli

RF Tyler Freeman (Killian Colombie 85’) CF Erik Hurtado (Ethan Vanacore-Decker 53’) LF Felipe Hernandez

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2019 LINEUPS at Ottawa Fury FC (L 0-4) Saturday, July 20, 2019 GK John Pulskamp RB Killian Colombie (Kaveh Rad 73’) CB Graham Smith (C) CB Camden Riley LB Alexsander CDM Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal RCM Felipe Hernandez LCM Ayyoub Allach RF Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Tucker Lepley 83’) CF Wilson Harris LF Tyler Freeman (Sean Karani 53’)

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

HEAD COACH PAULO NAGAMURA Paulo Nagamura is in his second season as head coach of the Rangers, having served as the assistant coach in the club’s run to the USL Cup Final in 2017 before taking the helm for a 2018 campaign that ended with a loss to Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference Semifinals. Nagamura, 36, enjoyed a 12-year MLS career that saw him win two MLS Cup championships and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles. He made 269 appearances in MLS, including 240 starts, recording 15 goals and 21 assists. In five seasons with Sporting Kansas City, Nagamura tallied seven goals and eight assists in 119 appearances across all competitions. He played a vital role in some of Sporting Kansas City’s biggest moments in club history, converting penalty kicks in shootouts of the 2012 and 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups as well as the 2013 MLS Cup. A native of Brazil, Nagamura began his youth career with hometown club Sao Paulo FC in 1994 before moving to Arsenal FC of the English Premier League in 2001. He signed for the LA Galaxy in 2005, where he won the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in his first professional season at the senior level. After two years in LA, Nagamura continued his MLS journey with Toronto FC (2007) and Chivas USA (2007-2011), becoming an MLS All-Star in 2009. Nagamura and his wife Monique have two children, Alice and Clara.

ASSISTANT COACH CHRIS MARTINEZ Assistant coach Chris Martinez is in his second season with the Rangers after joining the club from the Colorado Rapids, where he served as their Development Academy Program Director. Martinez, 48, also coached the Rapids Under-18 and Under-19 squads, as well as their USL Premier Development League U-23 side. He also has experience coaching with the U.S. Under-15 National Team and as the Director of Player Development at U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Real Colorado. The former MLS defender enjoyed a stellar playing career for the Colorado Rapids, making 119 appearances in five seasons of MLS play. Martinez played collegiate soccer at Clemson from 1989-1992 before joining American Professional Soccer League side the Colorado Foxes in 1993, winning the APSL title in his first season. Martinez then joined the Wichita Wings, who played in the National Professional Soccer League, and was named to the NPSL All-Rookie team in 1994.

GOALKEEPER COACH ROSS CAIN Cain, 35, enjoyed a four-year collegiate career as a goalkeeper at the University of Illinois-Chicago from 2002-2005 before joining the program’s staff as an assistant and director of soccer operations for four seasons. He returned to UIC as a goalkeeper coach for three seasons from 2015-2017. Prior to arriving to Kansas City, he served as the goalkeeper coach at Northern Illinois University in 2018. Away from the college game, Cain was a staff coach at youth club Chicago United FC from 2006-2010 and launched the Chicago Goalkeeping Academy in 2010. As the academy’s owner and operator, he trained several professional goalkeepers including Real Salt Lake’s Andrew Putna, Chicago Fire duo Stefan Cleveland and Richard Sanchez, Charlie Lyon, Mitch Hildebrandt, Tim Dobrowolski and former SPR keeper Zac Lubin.

TECHNICAL STAFF Sporting Director: Peter Vermes Fitness Coach: Mike Steidle Technical Director / VP of Player Personnel: Brian Bliss Head Trainer: Jake Brownback

Equipment Manager: Andy Garay Team Administrator: Wan Kuzac Wan Kamal

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

MOHAMMED ABUALNADI

RASSAMBEK AKHMATOV

POSITION: Defender BORN: 02/09/2001 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 165 lbs. HOMETOWN: Leawood, KS BIRTHPLACE: Overland Park, KS COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

PRONUNCIATION: RAH-sahm-beck AHK-mah-tov POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 05/31/1996 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 150 lbs. HOMETOWN: Strasbourg, France BIRTHPLACE: Atchkoi-Martan, Chechnya COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: FC Miami City

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers after starring for the Sporting KC Academy. Debuted for the Jordan U-19 Men’s National Team in January.

2018: Started 10 of 13 appearances for the Rangers, tallying two assists. 2017-18: Competed for French club ASP Vauban Strasbourg, also featuring for FC Miami City in USL Leage Two during the 2017 and 2018 summers.

2017-19: Has featured regularly for the Sporting KC U-17s and U-19s.

2015-16: Competed for French club Obernai.

AYYOUB ALLACH

ALEXSANDER 92

PRONUNCIATION: EYE-oob AH-lahck POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 01/28/1998 (21 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 145 lbs. HOMETOWN: Mechelen, Belgium BIRTHPLACE: Mechelen, Belgium COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Lierse SK (Belgium)

POSITION: Defender/Midfielder BORN: 09/06/1998 (20 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 135 lbs. HOMETOWN: Uberlandia, Brazil BIRTHPLACE: Uberlandia, Brazil COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Athletico Paranaense (Brazil)

2014-18: Made 56 appearances for Lierse SK in all competitions, tallying two goals and three assists from midfield. Debuted for the club in 2014 at age 16.

2016-18: Spent three years with Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense, rising through the youth ranks and representing the club at the U-20 and U-23 level in 2018. Prior to joining Athletico Paranaense, he played for Esporte Clube Jacuipense in 2016.

2013: Joined the Lierse SK U-19s from JMG Academie in Belgium.

2014-16: Had two separate spells at Salvador Futebol Clube from 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, having also represented Cruzeiro Esporte Clube for a brief stint in 2015.

International: Has represented Morocco at the U-20 level, making his debut in 2015 at the age of 17.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

CAMILO BENITEZ 77

JUSTIN BILYEU 42 PRONUNCIATION: BILL-you POSITION: Defender BORN: 02/03/1994 (25 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 lbs. HOMETOWN: St. Louis, MO BIRTHPLACE: St. Louis, MO COLLEGE: S IU-Edwardsville LAST CLUB: Rio Grande Valley FC

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 08/16/1999 (19 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 150 lbs. HOMETOWN: Ibarra, Ecuador BIRTHPLACE: Ibarra, Ecuador COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2018: Made eight appearances in his first professional season with the Rangers, having developed in the Sporting KC Academy since 2014.

NOTE: Bilyeu announced his retirement from professional soccer on April 18, 2019, due to a history of concussions. He will remain on the SPR roster for the rest of the 2019 season.

2014-17: Competed for the Sporting KC Academy at the U-16 and U-18 levels.

JOSH CHONG 54

2018: Started 10 of 12 appearances for the Rangers, adding one assist. 2017: Began the season with the New York Red Bulls before joining Rio Grande Valley FC in the USL Championship. 2016: Spent his rookie season with the New York Red Bulls and spent the majority of the campaign on loan with New York Red Bulls II, where he was crowned a USL Cup champion.

RENNICO CLARKE

POSITION: Forward BORN: 01/29/2001 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: 135 lbs. HOMETOWN: Lynchburg, VA BIRTHPLACE: Seoul, South Korea COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Defender BORN: 08/26/1995 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 195 lbs. HOMETOWN: Kingston, Jamaica BIRTHPLACE: Kingston, Jamaica COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Harbour View (Jamaica)

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers after starring for the Sporting KC Academy.

2018-19: Returned to his hometown club Harbour View before joining SPR.

2018-19: Has featured regularly for the Sporting KC U-17s and U-19s, playing more than 30 matches overall.

2018: Joined Icelandic club FH and notably competed in UEFA Europa League qualifying. 2017: Signed an MLS contract with the Portland Timbers prior to the start of the season but spent most of the campaign with Timbers 2. 2015-16: Featured regularly for Portland Timbers 2. 11

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

KILLIAN COLOMBIE

JAKE DAVIS 64

PRONUNCIATION: coh-LOHM-bee POSITION: Forward BORN: 11/02/1995 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 155 lbs. HOMETOWN: Paris, France BIRTHPLACE: Paris, France COLLEGE: I ona University LAST CLUB: Albion Hurricanes FC Royals

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 01/03/2002 (17 years old) HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 150 lbs. HOMETOWN: Rochester, MI BIRTHPLACE: Rochester, MI COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

College: Spent four years at Iona College in New York, tallying 15 goals and six assists in 72 appearances for the Gaels from 2015-2018, also featuring for Texas-based Albion Hurricanes FC Royals in USL League Two in 2018.

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers after starring for the Sporting KC Academy.

WILSON HARRIS 96

FELIPE HERNANDEZ

2017-19: Has featured regularly for the Sporting KC U-17s, developing the reputation as a set piece specialist and a dynamic midfield player.

POSITION: Forward BORN: 11/28/1999 (19 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 165 lbs. HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles, CA COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 06/08/1998 (21 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 135 lbs. HOMETOWN: Nashville, TN BIRTHPLACE: Ibague, Colombia COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2018: Scored three goals in 15 appearances throughout his first professional season with the Rangers, having developed in the Sporting KC Academy since 2017.

2018: Started 31 of 34 appearances for the Rangers, recording three goals and four assists. 2017: Recorded two goals and three assists in his first full professional season for the Rangers. 2016: Joined the Rangers as an Academy signing, having developed in the Sporting KC Academy since joining in 2014.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

DYLAN HOOPER 59

SEAN KARANI 80

POSITION: Defender BORN: 11/13/2003 (15 years old) HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 175 lbs. HOMETOWN: Shawnee, KS BIRTHPLACE: Overland Park, KS COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Forward BORN: 12/14/2000 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: 155 lbs. HOMETOWN: Wichita, KS BIRTHPLACE: Wichita, KS COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers.

2019: Signed his second Academy contract with the Rangers.

2017-19: Has started regularly for the Sporting KC U-17s since 2018, following a strong debut campaign where he played in 24 matches for the U-15s in 2017-18.

2018: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers and made four USL Championship appearances, recording one assist.

TUCKER LEPLEY 47

WILL LITTLE 49

2014-19: Has competed in the Sporting KC Academy at the U-16 through U-19 levels, scoring more than 20 goals.

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 01/17/2002 (17 years old) HEIGHT: 5-4 WEIGHT: 125 lbs. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC BIRTHPLACE: Charlotte, NC COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 04/09/1998 (21 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 135 lbs. HOMETOWN: Johnson City, TN BIRTHPLACE: Johnson City, TN COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers.

2018: Started one of six appearances for the Rangers.

2018-19: Has been a part of the Sporting KC Academy setup since 2018, starting regularly for the U-17s.

2017: Signed his first professional contract for the Rangers but made no appearances for the club. 2016: Made eight substitute appearances for the Rangers. 2015-16: Developed as a youth in the Sporting KC Academy.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

JEROME NGOM MBEKELI

WILLIAM OPOKU MENSAH

PRONUNCIATION: EN-gahmEM-buh-KAY-lee POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 09/30/1998 (20 years old) HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 155 lbs. HOMETOWN: Cameroon BIRTHPLACE: Cameroon COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: MFK Vyskov (Czech Republic)

POSITION: Forward BORN: 01/03/1996 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: 165 lbs. HOMETOWN: Sekondi, Ghana BIRTHPLACE: Sekondi, Ghana COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Karela United (Ghana)

2018: Played for MFK Vyskov in the Czech Republic before joining the Rangers on a year-long loan for 2019.

2015-18: Featured regularly for Ghanaian club Karela United, notably scoring seven goals in 11 matches as captain in 2018. After joining the side from youth club Sekondi Eleven Wise in 2015, he helped Karela gain promotion to the Ghanaian Premier League in 2017.

2016-17: Competed in his native Cameroon with Apejes FC de Mfou in the country’s top-flight division, MTN Elite One.

ZE PEDRO 70

JOHN PULSKAMP 45

POSITION: Forward BORN: 01/12/1997 (22 years old) HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 175 lbs. HOMETOWN: Sao Joao da Madeira, Portugal BIRTHPLACE: Sao Joao da Madeira, Portugal COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: SC Covilha (Portugal

POSITION: Goalkeeper BORN: 04/19/2001 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 lbs. HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, CA BIRTHPLACE: Bakersfield, CA COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: LA Galaxy Academy

2018-19: Played for Portuguese outfit SC Covilha before joining the Rangers.

2019: Signed his first professional contract with the Rangers.

2016-17: Joined top-fight Portuguese side CD Feirense before being loaned to FC Felgueiras.

2017-19: Spent the two Development Academy seasons with the LA Galaxy Academy, making 23 appearances between their U-17 and U-19 sides.

2015-16: Loaned to third-tier Portuguese clubs AD Sanjoanense and GD Gafanha after developing in the FC Porto Academy.

2015-17: Represented California-based Academies Real So Cal and Central California Aztecs.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

JAHON RAD 84

KAVEH RAD 48

POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 06/13/2001 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 lbs. HOMETOWN: Durham, NC BIRTHPLACE: Chapel Hill, NC COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Defender BORN: 06/13/2001 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 160 lbs. HOMETOWN: Durham, NC BIRTHPLACE: Chapel Hill, NC COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2019: Signed his second academy contract with the Rangers.

2018: Signed his first academy contract with the Rangers and started one of two USL Championship appearances.

2018: Signed his first academy contract with the Rangers but did not make a USL Championship appearance.

2016-19: Has made over 70 appearances split between the Sporting KC Academy U-15s, U-17s and U-19s.

2016-19: Has made over 60 appearances split between the Sporting KC Academy U-15s, U-17s and U-19s.

CAMDEN RILEY 44

MARK SEGBERS 43

POSITION: Defender/Midfielder BORN: 08/20/1996 (22 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 lbs. HOMETOWN: Dallas, TX BIRTHPLACE: Dallas, TX COLLEGE: U niversity of the Pacific LAST CLUB: N/A

POSITION: Defender BORN: 04/18/1996 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 160 lbs. HOMETOWN: St. Louis, MO BIRTHPLACE: St. Louis, MO COLLEGE: U niversity of Wisconsin LAST CLUB: New England Revolution

2019: Signed his first professional contract with the Swope Park Rangers after being selected in the second round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City.

2018: Was selected by the New England Revolution in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and made one appearance for the club. Spent the majority of his rookie season on loan to USL Championship side Orange County SC, recording two goals and four assists in 19 matches.

College: Sarted 57 of 66 appearances for the University of the Pacific, recording 19 goals and 10 assists from 2015-2018 as the program’s all-time leading scorer.

College: Was a four-year starter at Wisconsin, tallying 16 goals and 22 assists in 77 appearances from 2014-2017.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

TUCKER STEPHENSON

BROOKS THOMPSON

POSITION: Forward BORN: 10/23/1996 (22 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 160 lbs. HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS BIRTHPLACE: Overland Park, KS COLLEGE: L oyola University Chicago LAST CLUB: Kaw Valley FC

POSITION: Goalkeeper BORN: 05/28/2002 (17 years old) HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 170 lbs. HOMETOWN: Floyds Knobs, IN BIRTHPLACE: Jefferson, IN COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

2019: Signed for the Rangers in July.

2019: Signed his first professional contract with the Swope Park Rangers, becoming the youngest signing in club history at the age of 16.

2018: Starred for Kaw Valley FC, tallying nine goals in 11 appearances en route to a USL League Two All-League selection.

2018-19: Starred for the Sporting KC Academy, featuring at the U-17 and U-19 levels in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

2015-2018: Split his four-year college career between West Virginia University (2015-16) and Loyola University Chicago (2017-18).

2016-18: Played for IMG Academy in Florida, featuring at the U-14 and U-17 levels.

2013-2015: Competed for the Sporting KC Academy in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

MAX TREJO 67

ETHAN VANACORE-DECKER

POSITION: Goalkeeper BORN: 04/10/2002 (17 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 155 lbs. HOMETOWN: Lawrence, KS BIRTHPLACE: Mexico City, Mexico COLLEGE: N one LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

POSITION: Forward BORN: 10/06/94 (24 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 165 lbs. HOMETOWN: Manahawkin, NJ BIRTHPLACE: Boca Raton, FL COLLEGE: R utgers University LAST CLUB: North County United

2019: Signed an Academy contract with the Rangers.

2018: Recorded one goal in five appearances for the Rangers.

2016-19: Has played more than 50 matches for the Sporting KC Academy, rising from the U-15 to the U-19 levels.

2016-18: Featured for South Florida Surf (2016-17) and North County United (2018) in USL League Two. College: Competed at UConn (2013-14), Louisville (2015) and Rutgers (2016-17) after developing in the New York Red Bulls Academy.