 Forward Ricky Lopez-Espin battles for a header against Forward Madison. Photo from Wisconsin State Journal. With the USL Championship season over for our former players, we'll place a slightly larger focus on some of our players overseas, though we've still got our MLS and USL1 players & coaches going! KHIRY SHELTON – SPORTING KANSAS CITY (MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER) Khiry Shelton started in Sporting Kansas City’s 2-1 win over Nashville on Sunday night. SKC fell behind early before mounting a second-half comeback to snag all three points. Shelton had 10 pressures and two key passes before leaving the match in the 49th minute with a hip injury. Consequently, Shelton was out of the squad for Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. He’s listed as questionable going forward. Next Up: 10/17 @ Chicago Fire RICKY LOPEZ-ESPIN – FORT LAUDERDALE CF (USL LEAGUE ONE) Lopez-Espin started and played 71 minutes in Fort Lauderdale’s 4-1 loss to New England last Friday, winning four duels and two aerial duels. His runs at the back line opened space for other attackers, including during the equalizer for Felipe Valencia in the 52nd minute. Ricky also started and came close to doubling FLCF’s lead just before halftime against Forward Madison FC, but goalkeeper Chris Brady covered his near post. This was one of his three shots on target, but the back line couldn’t prevent Madison from equalizing for the 2-2 draw in a second-half comeback. Next Up: 10/24 @ Union Omaha JOHN GALAS – FC TUCSON (USL LEAGUE ONE) Galas’ men earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against league-leaders Greenville Triumph SC after falling behind in the first 15 minutes. FC Tucson built some momentum leading up to halftime, culminating in an equalizer from Josh Coan and continuing with Giovanni Godoy capitalizing on a mistake early in the second half. Tucson had more chances to cushion the lead but couldn’t capitalize. Needing a win, FC Tucson’s hearts were broken by a 91st minute equalizer from Greenville. Despite ending GTSC’s five-match winning streak, Tucson was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with the draw and will wrap up their season this weekend. “It was chaotic,” said Coach Galas after the match. “We didn’t create enough with our possession or our passing; there was no doubt.” Next Up: 10/17 vs Orlando City B  Miralles in net for CD Numancia during a recent preseason match. XIMO MIRALLES – CD NUMANCIA (SPANISH SEGUNDA B DIVISION) Miralles strengthened his grip on Numancia’s starting goalkeeper position in the team’s final preseason friendly, a 1-0 win over Osasuna B. Ximo played 77 minutes, the most he’s been on the field in the club’s five warm-up matches and did his part to help them secure a clean sheet. Numancia will kick off their regular season on Sunday. Next Up: 10/18 vs Marino de Luanco  Binder (right) plays defense in a recent match for Wiener Neustadt. MATTHIAS BINDER – SC WIENER NEUSTADT (AUSTRIAN THIRD DIVISION) We recently found out that former Reds’ stalwart Matthias Binder was plying his trade in the Austrian Third Division. The midfielder played all 90’ in SC Wiener Neustadt’s 3-0 victory over FC Deutschkreutz in the ÖFB-Cup last month and has started four of the team’s five league matches so far, coming in as a substitute in the other. Binder and his teammates have a huge challenge ahead of them this weekend as they face off against Austrian powerhouse FK Austria Wien in the ÖFB-Cup on Saturday. Next Up: 10/17 vs SK Rapid Wien (ÖFB-Cup) JOEL RYDSTRAND – CD SAN ROQUE DE LEPE (SPANISH TERCERA DIVISION) San Roque won its penultimate preseason match on Tuesday by a score of 2-1 over CD Rociana. The Andalusian side has one more preseason friendly today before getting their regular season underway on Sunday. Next Up: 10/15 vs CD Pinzón (friendly); 10/18 at Salerm Puente Genil FRANCESCO TIOZZO – USD ADRIESE 1906 (ITALIAN SERIE D) USD Adriese earned their first victory on the young season with a 1-0 victory over Virtus Bolzano last weekend. Next Up: 10/18 at FC Arzignano Valchiampo OTHERS
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