The Swope Park Rangers will return seven players from the 2017 United Soccer League season, the club announced Wednesday. The Rangers have exercised contract options on the following players:
- GK Darrin MacLeod
- D Dakota Barnathan
- D Parker Maher
- M Lebo Moloto
The following Sporting KC Academy products remain under contract for 2018:
- M Felipe Hernandez
- M Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal
- M Will Little
In addition, the club has extended contract offers to midfielder Christian Duke and forward Nansel Selbol.
The Rangers declined options on goalkeeper David Greczek, defenders Joe Amico and Liam Doyle and midfielder Robert Mirosavic. Lastly, defender Oumar Ballo and forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez are out of contract with the club.
Since the club’s inception ahead of the 2016 season, six players that began with the Rangers have signed MLS contracts with Sporting Kansas City. Of those six, four remain under contract with the club heading into the 2018 MLS season: goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas, defender Amer Didic, midfielder James Musa and forward Kharlton Belmar.
The Rangers became the first club in the USL’s seven-year history to clinch back-to-back Conference Championships, winning both the 2016 and 2017 Western Conference to reach the USL Cup Final in each year of the club’s existence.
