Gonzalez signs with Sporting KC affiliate Swope Park Rangers

Former University of Evansville men’s soccer player Mark Anthony Gonzalez will be hoping to become the latest Aces player to continue his career into the professional ranks, and on Wednesday, he made his first move in that direction, signing with Sporting Kansas City affiliate Swope Park Rangers.

“I’m very excited and thankful for this tremendous opportunity,” Gonzalez said. “I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter of my career with the Swope Park Rangers.”

Swope Park, a first-year team in the USL that is also based in Kansas City, will offer an opportunity for Gonzalez to play and train with the best up-and-coming players in the Sporting KC organization. The club is one of just 11 in USL that are owned and operated by a Major League Soccer franchise.

“I think the USL provides some unique options, and it’s going to give Mark an opportunity to be with an organization that has a storied history and great ownership,” UE head coach Marshall Ray said. “He’s going to be able to play with professionals every day, both from the USL and the SKC first team. Mark’s a competitor, and it’s every player’s aspiration to play at the highest level possible. I know he’s happy to be in the USL, but he’s going to be hungry to keep moving up that ladder in the future.”

Gonzalez is the most recent of a number of former Aces who have gone on to ply their trade at the professional level. Of the nearly 80 former UE players who have signed pro contracts, eight have made their mark in MLS, including former U.S. international and 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Troy Perkins.

“Mark is exactly the type of player that we want to see at the University of Evansville,” Ray said. “He came here with the desire to be tested at the highest level collegiately while receiving a great education. He, like Scott Cannon, Cory Elenio and those players that have been here before and moved on professionally, was able to combine the best of both worlds. It’s been a pleasure working with him over these last four years, and it was great to see him develop into the player he was this past season.”

Gonzalez was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree in his time in Evansville, and he finished his UE career with 27 goals. The move to SKC represents a reunion of sorts for the Toronto native as he will be working with former UE head coach Mike Jacobs, who currently serves as the Assistant Technical Director for SKC.

“Mark is a player that has been followed by our staff,” Swope Park Rangers head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “He’s a versatile attacking player that could play behind the striker or as a winger. I believe he has excellent qualities and will definitely be able to grow and gain more experience at this level.”