Game Notes: Swope Park Rangers at Reno 1868 FC - March 17, 2018

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2018 SPR SCHEDULE DATE

USL RECORD: 0-0-0

USL RECORD: 0-0-0

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COMPETITION: Swope Park Rangers at Reno 1868 FC DATE: Saturday, March 17, 2018 KICKOFF: 6:00 PM CT LOCATION: Greater Nevada Field (Reno, NV) REFEREE: Farhad Dadkho ARS: Stephen McGonagle and Joe Pickens 4TH: Shawn Stimpson WATCH: Live stream on SportingKC.com

MATCH PREVIEW

The Swope Park Rangers (0-0-0) will take on Reno 1868 FC (0-0-0) to kick off the club’s 2018 United Soccer League campaign at 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 17 at Greater Nevada Field in the first of 34 regular season matches for the back-to-back Western Conference champions. Led by new head coach Paulo Nagamura, SPR returns six players from last year’s squad (Dakota Barnathan, Felipe Hernandez, Will Little, Darrin MacLeod, Parker Maher and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal) while adding nine newcomers to the roster. In addition, the Rangers will utilize top performers from the Sporting KC Academy and players on loan from Sporting Kansas City (MLS).

The Rangers went 2-1-3 over the course of six preseason matches, including a 6-1 victory over UMKC last Saturday at Swope Soccer Village, and will now be looking for the team’s first win over Reno 1868 FC. During the 2017 season, Reno 1868 FC earned a 4-1 road win and 1-0 home win over SPR in an expansion season that saw the club finish in third place in the Western Conference standings, one point above the Rangers.

OPPONENT

TIME

VENUE

Sat., March 17 Reno 1868 FC 6:00 Greater Nevada Field Sat., March 24 Seattle (S2) 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sat., March 31 Las Vegas 10:00 Cashman Field Wed., April 4 Colorado Springs 7:30 Children’s Mercy Park Sat., April 7 San Antonio FC 7:30 Toyota Field Sat., April 14 OKC Energy FC 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sat., April 21 Phoenix 9:00 Rising Soccer Complex Sat., April 28 Saint Louis FC 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sat., May 5 OKC Energy FC 7:00 Taft Stadium Wed., May 9 Real Monarchs 8:00 Zions Bank Stadium Sat., May 19 Rio Grande Valley 7:30 H-E-B Park Sat., May 26 Phoenix 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sat., June 2 Saint Louis FC 7:30 Toyota Stadium Sat., June 9 Colorado Springs 7:00 Weidner Field Wed., June 13 Real Monarchs 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sun., June 17 Fresno FC 8:00 Chukchansi Park Sun., June 24 Las Vegas 4:00 SMS District Stadium Thur., July 5 Seattle (S2) 9:00 Cheney Stadium Sat., July 14 Portland 9:00 Merlo Field Wed., July 18 Orange County 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sun., July 22 Rio Grande Valley 4:00 SMS District Stadium Fri., July 27 Sacramento 7:30 SMS District Stadium Wed., Aug. 1 LA Galaxy II 9:30 StubHub Center Sat., Aug. 4 Orange County 9:00 OC Great Park Sat., Aug. 11 Portland 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sun., Aug. 19 Reno 1868 FC 4:00 SMS District Stadium Sat., Aug. 25 San Antonio FC 7:30 Toyota Field Wed., Aug. 29 Tulsa 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sun., Sept. 9 Fresno FC 4:00 SMS District Stadium Sat., Sept. 15 Saint Louis FC 7:30 SMS District Stadium Wed., Sept. 19 San Antonio FC 7:30 SMS District Stadium Sat., Sept. 22 Tulsa 7:00 ONEOK Field Wed., Oct. 3 Sacramento 9:30 Papa Murphy’s Park Sun., Oct. 14 LA Galaxy II 4:00 SMS District Stadium

INJURY REPORT As of Wednesday, March 14

OUT: Justin Bilyeu (knee) QUESTIONABLE: Parker Maher (hamstring)

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

HEAD COACH Paulo Nagamura is in his first 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. Nagamura, 34, 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.

ASSISTANT COACH

Assistant coach Chris Martinez enters his first season with the Rangers after joining the club from the Colorado Rapids, where he served as their Development Academy Program Director. Martinez, 47, 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. IThe 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 Goalkeeper coach Gavin McInerney joined the club from the Rochester Rhinos ahead of the 2017 campaign. McInerney served as a goalkeeper coach for the Rhinos in 2015 and 2016. He was a member of the Rhinos’ staff as the side claimed the USL Regular-Season Championship and the USL Cup in 2015. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, McInerney moved to the U.S. to play at the University of Memphis in 2004 before returning to Ireland after the 2005 NCAA season to sign a pro contract with St. Patrick’s Athletic FC of the League of Ireland. A move to fellow top-flight side Bray Wanderers followed in 2008 before returning to the U.S. in 2009 to begin his coaching career as an assistant head coach with the University of Buffalo. McInerney first headed to New York as an assistant coach for Monroe Community College in 2011, while playing indoor soccer for the Rochester Lancers from 2011-15 before joining the Rhinos prior to their successful 2015 USL season.

TECHNICAL STAFF Technical Director: Peter Vermes Fitness Coach: James Collins Equipment Manager: Andy Garay Director of Player Personnel: Brian Bliss Head Trainer: Jacob Brownback Team Administrator: Wan Kuzac Wan Kamal

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

DAKOTA BARNATHAN 58 HADJI BARRY 92 PRONUNCIATION: BAR-nuh-thun POSITION: Defender BORN: 11/09/94 (23 years old) HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 165 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Massapequa, NY BIRTHPLACE: Massapequa, NY COLLEGE: ­­Virgina Commonwealth University LAST CLUB: N/A 2018: N/A 2017: Made 15 total appearances for the Rangers in USL play, making his debut in the season opener. He split his time playing center back and defensive midfielder throughout the campaign, and played every minute in the USL Cup Playoffs as the Rangers fell in the USL Cup Final. Barnathan also converted his penalty kick in the Western Conference Final against OKC on November 4.

PRONUNCIATION: HAH-jee POSITION: Forward BORN: 12/08/92 (25 years old) HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY BIRTHPLACE: Conakry, Guinea COLLEGE: ­­University of Central Florida LAST CLUB: Orlando City SC 2018: Played in three preseason matches with one goal for Sporting KC. 2017: Played in three MLS matches for Orlando City SC; made one start in U.S. Open Cup. Barry made 18 appearances for Orlando City B, logging 10 goals and one assist.

2016: Made eight appearances (four starts) for Orlando City SC after being selected 13th overall in the MLS SuperDraft.

CAMILO BENITEZ 77 JUSTIN BILYEU 72 PRONUNCIATION: POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 08/16/99 (18 years old) HEIGHT: 5-­7 WEIGHT: 150 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Ibarra, Ecuador BIRTHPLACE: Ibarra, Ecuador COLLEGE: ­­N/A LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

PRONUNCIATION: BILL-­you POSITION: Defender BORN: 02/03/94 (24 years old) HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 lbs.

HOMETOWN: St. Louis, MO BIRTHPLACE: St. Louis, MO COLLEGE: ­­SIU Edwardsville LAST CLUB: Rio Grande Valley FC

2018: N/A

2018: N/A

Academy: Benitez joined the Sporting KC Academy ahead of the 2014-15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season after relocating from Charlotte, North Carolina. He advanced through the age groups over the next few seasons before becoming a consistent contributor for the Under-19 squad.

In the 2016-17 campaign, Benitez played in 27 games and tallied five times for the U-18’s.

2017: Played in two games with the New York Red Bulls and appeared in 27 games in USL play with the New York Red Bulls II and Rio Grande Valley FC. 2016: Selected 18th overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Bilyeu made 15 appearances in USL action for the NY Red Bulls II and eight appearances for the Red Bulls first team.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

TYLER BLACKWOOD 36 FELIPE HERNANDEZ 85 PRONUNCIATION: ­­N/A POSITION: Forward BORN: 07/24/91 (26 years old) HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

HOMETOWN: London, England BIRTHPLACE: London, England COLLEGE: University of South Florida LAST CLUB: Sacramento Republic FC 2018: N/A 2017: Appeared in 34 matches for Sacramento Republic FC, tallying six goals and three assists.

2016: Played in 26 games for Phoenix Rising FC, then Arizona United SC, scoring eight goals and adding one assist.

Before USL: Played four games with Queens Park Rangers (Championship) and Newport County (League Two) in UK.

PRONUNCIATION: N/A POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 06/08/98 (19 years old) HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 135 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Nashville, TN BIRTHPLACE: Ibague, Colombia COLLEGE: ­­N/A LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy 2018: Played in six preseason matches with one goal for Sporting KC. 2017: Made 23 appearances for SPR in his first full professional season, scoring two goals and adding three assists.

Academy: Joined the Sporting KC Academy for the 2014-15 season. He made 27 appearances for the Under-18s in the 2015-16 Development Academy season, scoring six goals.

CHRISTIAN HERRERA 79 WILL LITTLE 49 PRONUNCIATION: N/A POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 04/09/98 (19 years old) HEIGHT: 5-­7 WEIGHT: 135 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Johnson City, TN BIRTHPLACE: Johnson City, TN COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy

PRONUNCIATION: N/A POSITION: Goalkeeper BORN: 04/20/97 (20 years old) HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 210 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Las Cruces, NM BIRTHPLACE: Las Cruces, NM COLLEGE: ­­N/A LAST CLUB: Real Monarchs 2018: N/A

2018: N/A

2017: Went on loan at Portland Timbers 2.

2017: Signed his first professional contract but did not make an appearance throughout the 2017 campaign for SPR.

2016: Went on loan to Pachuca in Mexico, making five total appearances for Pachuca’s reserve team that plays in Mexico’s second division.

2016: Made nine appearances, all as a substitute, for SPR. Academy: Joined in early 2015. In 2015-16 season, Little made 23 appearances for the Under-18s, scoring 10 goals.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

DARRIN MACLEOD 70 PARKER MAHER 44 PRONUNCIATION: muh-CLOUD POSITION: Goalkeeper BORN: 03/04/94 (24 years old) HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 180 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Waterloo, Ontario BIRTHPLACE: Waterloo, Ontario COLLEGE: ­­Drake University LAST CLUB: N/A

PRONUNCIATION: Marr POSITION: Defender BORN: 07/12/93 (24 years old) HEIGHT: 5-­11 WEIGHT: 170 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Joplin, MO BIRTHPLACE: Fort Smith, AR COLLEGE: ­­Missouri State University LAST CLUB: Saint Louis FC

2018:

2018: N/A

2017: Appeared in five games for SPR, saving a penalty kick to keep a clean sheet on his debut and saving the first penalty in a shootout against Phoenix Rising FC during the USL Cup Playoffs. Recorded 17 saves and a 1.31 goals against average.

2017: Appeared in 29 games for SPR, contributing two assists and leading the team with 60 tackles won.

2016: Made 22 appearances for Saint Louis FC. 2015: Played in all 28 games for Saint Louis FC in his rookie season, scoring one goal.

CHASE MINTER 71 BRYAM REBELLON 33 PRONUNCIATION: ­­N/A POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 08/19/92 (25 years old) HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 150 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Heath, TX BIRTHPLACE: Rowlett, TX COLLEGE: Cal Poly State Univ.

LAST CLUB: Real Monarchs

PRONUNCIATION: REH-beh-yon POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 01/22/92 (26 years old) HEIGHT: 5-­10 WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Puerto Gaitan, Colombia BIRTHPLACE: Puerto Gaitan, Colombia COLLEGE: ­N/A LAST CLUB: Jacksonville Armada

2018: N/A

2018: N/A

2017: Appeared in 19 matches for Real Monarchs SLC, tallying one goal and three assists as the Monarchs won the USL Regular Season Championship.

2017: Played in 23 games for NASL side Jacksonville Armada in all competitions, recording one assist.

2016: Selected 21st overall in the MLS SuperDraft, Minter signed with Sacramento Republic FC and played in nine games for Sacramento and Tulsa Roughnecks FC on loan.

2016: Made 25 appearances for LA Galaxy II with two goals.

Before USL: Girardot FC (2010), Independiente Santa Fe, Club Atletico Sarmiento, Villa Dalmine and Llaneros FC.

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers

RODRIGO SARAVIA 93 MATHEUS SILVA 97 PRONUNCIATION: N/A POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 02/22/93 (25 years old) HEIGHT: 5-­11 WEIGHT: 170 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Guatemala City, Guatemala BIRTHPLACE: Guatemala City, Guatemala COLLEGE: ­­Florida Gulf Coast LAST CLUB: Columbus Crew SC 2018: Played in two preseason matches with Sporting KC. 2017: Made 11 appearances with one goal for IK Frej in Sweden on a season-long loan.

2017: Made two appearances on loan at Reno 1868 FC.

2016: Made 12 appearances for Columbus Crew SC after being selected 19th overall in the MLS SuperDraft. Made two appearances on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal

2018: N/A

PRONUNCIATION: N/A POSITION: Defender/Midfielder BORN: 12/08/96 (21 years old) HEIGHT: 6-­2 WEIGHT: 200 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Taboao da Serra, Brazil BIRTHPLACE: Taboao da Serra, Brazil COLLEGE: ­­N/A LAST CLUB: SJ Earthquakes

75

PRONUNCIATION: COO-zane KUH-mahl POSITION: Midfielder BORN: 09/14/98 (19 years old) HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

HOMETOWN: Carbondale, IL BIRTHPLACE: Carbondale, IL COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Sporting KC Academy 2018: Appeared in six preseason matches with Sporting KC. 2017: Made 13 appearances for SPR and signed his first pro contract in July. Was also named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Conference Best XI for the U-17/18 age group.

2016: Made four appearances in MLS and one in U.S. Open Cup. Made 17 appearances on loan with Arizona United SC.

2018 TRANSACTIONS

Jan. 3: SPR signs midfielder Bryam Rebellon Jan. 5: SPR signs defender Matheus Silva Jan. 8: SPR signs midfielder Rodrigo Saravia Jan. 15: SPR signs forward Hadji Barry Feb. 9: SPR signs midfielder Camilo Benitez Feb. 16: SPR signs forward Tyler Blackwood Feb. 21: SPR signs midfielder Chase Minter Feb. 26: SPR signs goalkeeper Christian Herrera March 7: SPR signs defender Justin Bilyeu

Swope Park Rangers www.SportingKC.com/Rangers SWOPE PARK RANGERS 2018 ROSTER Alphabetical Roster # 58 92 77 72 36 85 79 49 70 44 71 33 93 97 75

Player Pos. Born Dakota Barnathan D/M 11/09/94 (23) Hadji Barry F 12/08/92 (25) Camilo Benitez M/F 08/16/99 (18) Justin Bilyeu D 02/03/94 (24) Tyler Blackwood F 07/24/91 (26) Felipe Hernandez M 06/08/98 (19) Christian Herrera GK 04/20/97 (20) Will Little M 04/09/98 (19) Darrin MacLeod GK 03/04/94 (24) Parker Maher D 07/12/93 (24) Chase Minter M 08/19/92 (25) Bryam Rebellon M 01/22/92 (26) Rodrigo Saravia M 02/22/93 (25) Matheus Silva D/M 12/08/96 (21) Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal M 09/14/98 (19)

Hometown Massapequa, N.Y. Rochester, N.Y. Ibarra, Ecuador St. Louis, Mo. London, England Nashville, Tenn.

Las Cruces, N.M. Johnson City, Tenn.

Waterloo, Ontario Joplin, Mo. Heath, Texas Puerto Gaitan, Colombia Guatemala City, Guatemala Taboao da Serra, Brazil Carbondale, Ill.

College Virginia Commonwealth University of Central Florida -SIU – Edwardsville University of South Florida ---Drake University Missouri State University Cal Poly State -Florida Gulf Coast University ---

Numerical Roster # 33 36 44 49 58 70 71 72 75 77 79 85 92 93 97

Player Pos. Birthplace Bryam Rebellon M Puerto Gaitan, Colombia Tyler Blackwood F London, England Parker Maher D Fort Smith, Ark. Will Little M Johnson City, Tenn.

Dakota Barnathan D/M Massapequa, N.Y. Darrin MacLeod GK Waterloo, Ontario Chase Minter M Rowlett, Texas Justin Bilyeu D St. Louis, Mo. Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal M Carbondale, Ill. Camilo Benitez M/F Ibarra, Ecuador Christian Herrera GK Las Cruces, N.M. Felipe Hernandez M Ibague, Colombia Hadji Barry F Conakry, Guinea Rodrigo Saravia M Guatemala City, Guatemala Matheus Silva D/M Taboao da Serra, Brazil

Head Coach: Paulo Nagamura Assistant Coach: Chris Martinez Goalkeeper Coach: Gavin McInerney Head Fitness Coach: James Collins Head Athletic Trainer: Jacob Brownback *As of March 14, 2018

Last Club Jacksonville Armada Sacramento Republic FC Saint Louis FC Sporting KC Academy -- -- Real Monarchs SLC Rio Grande Valley FC Sporting KC Academy Sporting KC Academy Real Monarchs SLC Sporting KC Academy Orlando City SC Columbus Crew SC San Jose Earthquakes

Pronunciation REH-beh-yon -Marr -BAR-nuh-thun muh-CLOUD -BILL-you COO-zane KUH-mahl -------