Swope Park Rangers, Sporting Kansas City's new USL team, introduced head coach Marc Dos Santos on Friday and announced Christian Duke as the first player signing for the team's inaugural season in 2016.
The North American Soccer League's Coach of the Year in 2015, Dos Santos led Ottawa Fury FC to the NASL Championship Final this month after a first-place finish in the Fall Season.
The 38-year-old Montreal native previously coached the Impact for two years during that club's time in the lower divisions, leading the Impact to the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division title in 2009.
"I often need time to make an important decision but I must say this was one of the easiest ones to make," Dos Santos said in a statement. "It's clear to me that I'm joining a fantastic organization with a great group of people. The vision that the club has with Swope Park Rangers, coupled with the city and the fans in Kansas City, definitely had an impact on my decision. I'm looking forward to starting this project and I'm sure it will be a successful one."
A Sporting KC Academy product and Shawnee Mission South High School alum, Duke began his professional career with Sporting KC and has logged more than 50 appearances in the USL over the past three seasons, including a starting role in Orlando City's USL Championship victory in 2013.
- Find more SKC news and notes at SportingKC.com
The 24-year-old Overland Park, Kansas, native was an integral member of Sporting affiliate club OKC Energy FC for the last two years, ranking second on the squad in assists both seasons.
Swope Park Rangers will play a 30-game USL schedule starting in March 2016, with home matches held at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri.
