Swope Park Rangers midfielder Felipe Hernandez has been called in to the U.S. Under-19 National Team for the Stevan Vilotic-Cele tournament in Subotica, Serbia. Hernandez and the U-19s – who are coached by former U.S. National Team goalkeeper Brad Friedel – will face Serbia on Sept. 1, France on Sept. 2 and a yet to be determined opponent in a placement game on Sept. 5.
Hernandez, who is one of 20 players on the U.S. U-19s roster, signed with the Rangers on Aug. 18 after spending the last two years with the Sporting KC Academy. Hernandez was named on the bench for last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Saint Louis FC at Children’s Mercy Park.
Born in Ibague, Colombia but raised in Nashville, Tenn., Hernandez joined the Sporting KC Academy in 2014 after playing for Sporting Nashville Heroes – an Academy Affiliate through the Sporting Club Network.
In the 2015-16 Development Academy season, the 18-year-old made 27 appearances for the Sporting KC Under-18s, scoring six goals – including the strike that clinched a playoff berth for the U-18s. In the Development Academy Playoffs, Hernandez played a pivotal role for the U-18s, starting all three group games and scoring twice in the 6-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes where the sixth goal was the tie-breaker that sent the U-18s to the Quarterfinals.
In 2015, Hernandez spent time in preseason camp with Sporting KC in Tucson, Ariz., while the creative midfielder also trained with the Rangers in preseason in 2016 – making appearances in scrimmages against Rockhurst University and Creighton University before playing in a midseason scrimmage against the University of Tulsa.
The Swope Park Rangers are back in action on Wednesday when they host San Antonio FC at Swope Soccer Village, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets starting as low as $12 are available via Ticketmaster, by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or at the box office on gameday.
