skip navigation

2017 USL Preview: Swope Park Rangers

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/16/17, 5:31PM EDT

Share

Defending Western Conference champions look to maintain success


Photo courtesy Nick Tre. Smith / Swope Park Rangers

The Swope Park Rangers surged into the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs in their inaugural season, and carried that momentum all the way to a Western Conference Championship before falling to the New York Red Bulls II in the USL Cup Final. There have been changes at Swope Soccer Village this offseason, with Nikola Popovic making the move up from assistant to Head Coach with the departure of Marc Dos Santos, but with a strong returning core of young standouts and some intriguing additions, the Rangers appear ready to defend their conference crown.

Head Coach: Nikola Popovic
Stadium: Children’s Mercy Victory Field
2016 results: 14-10-6, 48pts
2016 postseason: W 3-0 vs. LA Galaxy II; W 2-1 (OT) vs. Orange County SC; W 3-0 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2; L 1-5 at New York Red Bulls II

Goalkeeper: The Rangers will likely see a new face in goal this season with Adrian Zendejas having signed with Sporting Kansas City this offseason. Former Jersey Express goalkeeper David Grezcek – who was named the No. 23 prospect in the PDL last season – joined the club after being selected in the Third Round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, while Darrin MacLeod also has PDL experience after competing for K-W United FC and TFC Academy in the league while attending Drake University.

Defense: The key defensive duo of 2016 All-League First Team selection Amer Didic and Oumar Ballo returns, and center back partnership helped fuel the Rangers’ run of six wins in seven games to conclude the regular season. They are joined by a pair of reinforcements from Saint Louis FC in Parker Maher and James Musa. The group also includes some interesting young talent, with Ezra Armstrong and MLS SuperDraft selection Dakota Barnathan, and former Harrisburg City Islanders player Liam Doyle bringing his versatility to either the defense or midfield.

Midfield: No. 2 in the 2016 USL 20 Under 20, Kevin Oliveira’s season came to a premature end last year, but the Cape Verde standout is back for the new season looking to build on a strong first campaign. The Rangers also see captain Christian Duke return, while the addition of former Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Lebo Moloto could be a good replacement for the departed Kris Tyrpak. SPR’s youngsters, like U.S. Youth internationals Will Little and Felipe Hernandez, will also be players to watch, as will rookie Louis Bennett after a strong career at Marquette University.

Forward: Mark Anthony Gonzalez returns after leading the Rangers with 12 goals in the regular season and postseason a year ago, while also adding five assists, and he is joined by 2015 USL Rookie of the Year Kharlton Belmar, previously of the Portland Timbers 2. Belmar’s addition should provide adequate cover for the departed Dane Kelly, while the Rangers will be looking for increased production from Nansel Selbol after one goal and one assist last year.


Photo courtesy Nick Tre. Smith / Swope Park Rangers

Strengths: The Rangers’ defense improved progressively throughout the club’s first season, and only conceded multiple goals once in its final 13 games of the regular season and the Western Conference Playoffs before running into a record-setting New York Red Bulls II attack in the USL Cup Final. The return of Amer Didic and Oumar Ballo along with the addition of James Musa and Parker Maher should provide strength in depth as the side looks to continue its thriftiness at the back.

Weaknesses: As solid as the Rangers’ back line looks, finding a solid No. 1 in goal to replace Adrian Zendejas will be crucial. The side should have a strong spine from front to back, but will be faced with the prospect of defending a title, and likely getting the best from its opponents in every outing of the season, which will prove a great challenge for the club’s young standouts.

Key number: 35 – The Rangers recorded 35 assists on the club’s 45 goals in the regular season, the most in the Western Conference, illustrating the cohesive level of play in the final third the side will look to build upon this season.

Noteworthy matchups: Swope Park welcomes OKC Energy FC in the opening game of the season in what should be a good look at the level of both sides as Energy FC Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen returns to Kansas City. A rematch of last season’s memorable Western Conference Semifinal clash with Orange County SC is set for August 12, while the Rangers will visit Rio Grande Valley FC at H-E-B Park on September 30 in what should be an entertaining clash as both sides battle for a place in the USL Cup Playoffs.

Coach’s view: “It was very important to be here the first year to feel the culture of this club. That was very, very strong, and I think what we did in the last year was creating the first foundation, giving them a very strong culture, giving them the behaviors that this club already has.” – Swope Park Rangers Head Coach Nikola Popovic

Current roster (updated: March 16, 2017):
Goalkeepers: David Grezcek, Darrin MacLeod, Steven Tekesky
Defenders: Joe Amico, Ezra Armstrong, Oumar Ballo, Dakota Barnathan, Amer Didic, Liam Doyle, Parker Maher, James Musa
Midfielders: Louis Bennett, Chase Bromstedt, Felipe Hernandez, Will Little, Robert Mirosavic, Lebo Moloto, Kevin Oliveira, Max Rugova, Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, Patrick Wilkinson
Forwards: Kharlton Belmar, Leroy Enzugusi, Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Nansel Selbol

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos