Sporting Kansas City first MLS Club to sign Free Agent in Justin Mapp
Mapp, 31, has over 300 appearances and has been part of the league since being drafted fourth overall in the 2002 draft and 23 goals with 70 assists to his credit. His 65 assists from the regular season ranking third among active players.
His career spans time with DC United, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, and recently with Montreal Impact with nine of his professional campaigns ending in the playoffs. The personal honors garnered MLS Best XI in 2006, two US Open Cups with Chicago in 2003 and 2006, a Supporters Shield in the 2003 campaign. With Montreal he won two Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014. He has also eight USMNT caps and played in the 2007 Copa America.
This is an astute signing by Sporting and Peter Vermes.
Mapp is a seasoned professional who can play in a variety of positions in the midfield. Should he be called upon he will provide the needed level head that teams need within the locker room to win championships.
Swope Park Rangers sign Four Players
Former Sporting KC midfielder Christian Duke was the first signing and now the squad takes more shape as the USL Pro club announced the acquisition of Dane Kelly, Johnny Grant, Kris Tyrpak and Zac Lubin.
Kelly, aged 24 forward, has 42 USL regular season goals since his debut with the Charleston Battery 2011 after playing with Tivoli Gardens FC in Jamaica in 2010. In 2015 he recorded a career best 11 goals.
Grant, aged 22 defender, has been as recently as January 2015 been called up by the Canadian national team. Played with FC Montreal, Impact’s USL Pro team, in 2015. Made three appearances for Canada’s U-23 side. This is pending a P-1 visa and ITC.
Tyrpak, aged 23 forward, was 2013 USL PDL MVP with Austin Aztex. Made nine appearances for Chivas USA recording one goal and one assist in 2014. Played for Austin Aztex and San Antonio Scorpions in 2015 for a combined 31 appearances and 11 goals.
Lubin, aged 26 goalkeeper, was 2015 captain of Tulsa Roughnecks of USL Pro. Played 2014 in Sweden with IFK Lulea.
Parent Club Sporting Kansas City is looking to help the Rangers get situated with players who will be major contributers to the inaugural season. The young players to develop will gradually join. The average age of Swope Park Rangers of their five current players is 23.8 and the oldest is 26. Late bloomers will be given their chance here to be sure.
Nemeth Handed Suspension
Krisztian Nemeth has been suspended for one regular season match in addition to a fine for violent conduct in the 74th minute of the playoff game between Sporting Kansas City against eventual MLS Cup Champions Portland Timbers.
Seemed a very harsh punishment considering there was more than one ‘foul’ that would be considered violent but MLS has been picky when handing out punishments retrospectively.
Stanford Wins College Cup at Children’s Mercy Park
The Stanford Cardinal came through as champions again the Clemson Tigers in the NCAA Division I Men’s College Cup for the first time in program history as USMNT forward Jordan Morris scored a brace in their 4-0 nil, tying the highest scoring margin set in 1969.
Each school advanced to the championship game via identical results as both schools won on penalty kick shootouts after 0-0 draws after regulation. Stanford beat Akron and Clemson did in Syracuse.
It was the first College Cup held by Children’s Mercy Park but on Sporting Kansas City property it was the third in 2015 as one week ago at Swope Soccer Village the Division III Men’s and Women’s championships were won by Amherst College and Williams College, both from Massachusetts.
