The Swope Park Rangers have signed striker Hadji Barry, the club announced on Monday. Barry spent the last two seasons splitting time between MLS and the USL, representing both Orlando City SC and Orlando City B, and will join the Rangers roster pending league and federation approval.
Barry, 25, was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City. The Lions traded up to pick Barry, with D.C. United originally holding the 13th overall selection.
He made 11 appearances for Orlando City in MLS play, including four starts, across his two seasons in Florida. Barry made his debut off the bench as a 77th-minute substitute in the club’s 2016 season opener against Real Salt Lake on March 6, 2016, recording an assist on Cyle Larin’s goal as Orlando fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with goals in the 94th and 95th minutes.
Barry made his first start for the club on July 16, 2016 in another 2-2 draw, this time with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He would go on to make his other three starts for the club later in the 2016 campaign, while he also started three matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – two in 2016 and one in 2017.
Born in Conakry, Guinea but raised in Rochester, New York, Barry spent a significant amount of time on loan at Orlando’s USL affiliate, Orlando City B. He scored 14 goals and added one assist across 27 combined USL appearances in 2016 and 2017.
Barry scored his first two professional goals in a game-winning performance against the Rochester Rhinos on May 22, 2016 – resulting in a 2-1 Orlando victory. He added two more goals in the 2016 USL season as most of his time was spent playing with Orlando City in MLS.
In 2017, Barry was Orlando City B’s leading scorer, bagging 10 goals in just 18 appearances for the club. His scoring run included a spell in August where he scored in four consecutive games, though his performances weren’t enough to clinch a playoff berth for Orlando City B.
Barry played college soccer first at Monroe Community College, before transferring to the University of Central Florida ahead of his junior season. While at Monroe, Barry earned Region II Player of the Year, Championship MVP and First Team honors.
In his first season at UCF, Barry scored once in 16 games before exploding in his senior season, tallying a team-leading 11 goals for the Knights.
VITALS
Hadji Barry
Position: Forward
Born: 12/8/92 (25 years old)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
Birthplace: Conakry, Guinea
Citizenship: Guinea
College: University of Central Florida
Instagram: @hbarry_13
