Academy

Sporting KC announces roster for 2019 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy

Sporting KC preseason preview Phoenix Rising Johnny Russell

Sporting Kansas City announced today the club's roster for the 2019 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy.


The preseason squad currently consists of 39 players, including the 26 signed to MLS contracts, four members of the Swope Park Rangers, five Sporting KC Academy players, three unsigned MLS SuperDraft selections and one trialist.


The Rangers quartet joining Sporting KC in Arizona consists of Justin Bilyeu and Academy products Felipe Hernandez, Wilson Harris and Will Little. The five other current Academy players on the trip include Mo Abualnadi, Jake Davis, Sean Karani, Tucker Lepley and Brooks Thompson.


Kamar Marriott, Franky Martinez and Camden Riley represent the MLS SuperDraft contingent, while Daniel Johnson — a midfielder who has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Fire — has joined the group as a trialist.


Sporting will spend both legs of preseason in Arizona, training in Scottsdale through Jan. 31 and again from Feb. 6-19 before facing Deportivo Toluca FC in the first leg of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 on Feb. 21 at Children's Mercy Park.


Sporting will play seven friendlies in Arizona, including a doubleheader against USL Championship outfit Phoenix Rising FC on Feb. 7 and split-squad fixtures against the Houston Dynamo and FC Tucson, respectively, on Feb. 13. Their first preseason tune-up is slated for Friday against Sporting Arizona FC.


Sporting KC 2019 Preseason Schedule

<strong>DATE</strong>
<strong>OPPONENT</strong>
<strong>TIME (CT)</strong>
<strong>VENUE</strong>
Friday, Jan. 18
Sporting Arizona FC
11:30am
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale)
Wednesday, Jan. 23
Phoenix Rising FC Trialists
11:30am
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale)
Wednesday, Jan. 30
FC Tucson Trialists
12pm
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale)
Thursday, Feb. 7
Phoenix Rising FC<br> (two 75-minute matches)
7pm
Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Scottsdale)
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Houston Dynamo&nbsp;<strong>*</strong>
5pm
Kino Sports Complex (Tucson)
Wednesday, Feb. 13
FC Tucson&nbsp;<strong>*</strong>
5pm
Kino Sports Complex (Tucson)

*Matches to be played concurrently


Sporting KC 2019 Preseason Roster

<strong>NO.</strong>
<strong>PLAYER</strong>
<strong>POSITION</strong>
<strong>AGE</strong>
1
Adrian Zendejas
Goalkeeper
23
2
Botond Barath
Defender
26
3
Ike Opara
Defender
29
4
Andreu Fontas
Defender
29
5
Matt Besler
Defender
31
6
Ilie Sanchez
Midfielder
28
7
Johnny Russell
Forward
28
8
Graham Zusi
Defender
32
9
Krisztian Nemeth
Forward
30
10
Yohan Croizet
Midfielder
26
11
Kelyn Rowe
Midfielder
27
12
Gerso Fernandes
Forward
27
13
Gianluca Busio
Midfielder
16
15
Seth Sinovic
Defender
31
16
Graham Smith
Defender
23
17
Roger Espinoza
Midfielder
32
18
Eric Dick
Goalkeeper
24
19
Erik Hurtado
Forward
28
20
Daniel Salloi
Forward
22
21
Felipe Gutierrez
Midfielder
28
22
Rodney Wallace
Defender
30
26
Jaylin Lindsey
Defender
18
28
Tyler Freeman
Forward
16
29
Tim Melia
Goalkeeper
32
75
Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal
Midfielder
20
94
Jimmy Medranda
Defender
24
Justin Bilyeu *
Defender
24
Felipe Hernandez *
Midfielder
20
Wilson Harris *
Forward
19
Will Little *
Midfielder
20
Mo Abualnadi ^
Defender
17
Jake Davis ^
Midfielder
17
Tucker Lepley ^
Midfielder
16
Sean Karani ^
Midfielder
18
Brooks Thompson ^
Goalkeeper
16
Kamar Marriott **
Midfielder
22
Franky Martinez **
Defender
23
Camden Riley **
Midfielder
22
Daniel Johnson ^^
Midfielder
23

* Swope Park Rangers
^ Sporting KC Academy
** Unsigned MLS SuperDraft pick
^^ Trialist