As to be expected, there is a buzz in the Midwest surrounding the 2016 expansion Swope Park Rangers. The owned-and-operated club of Sporting Kansas City made great strides during the offseason to field a team that incorporates some flair, experience and ties to the area. With Marc Dos Santos at the helm, the Rangers will have the opportunity to create some noise in a slightly revamped Western Conference that has grown in the Central Time Zone.

Head Coach: Marc Dos Santos

Stadium: Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village

2015 results: (2016 expansion club)

2015 postseason: (2016 expansion club)

Goalkeeper: After splitting time in goal with Tulsa Roughnecks FC, Zac Lubin will have the chance to lead the charge in the back for Swope. In 2015, Lubin saved a team-high 73 shots and posted a 4-8-3 record for the Roughnecks. He will be backed up by SKC Academy goalkeeper Steven Tekesky, who has trained with the Rangers throughout the preseason, with the possibility young SKC standout Jon Kempin could also feature for the side on loan.

Defense: For the past few Major League Soccer seasons, Tommy Meyer gained some important games and experience while earning two MLS Cups. That is nice resume to have at your disposal to lead the back line for the expansion Rangers. Since being selected in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Meyer made 57 appearances for the Galaxy in all competitions. Other valuable experience will be in the form of Jacob VanCompernolle who spent the 2015 USL season with OKC Energy FC. Oumar Ballo was loaned to the Charleston Battery – formerly an affiliate of the Houston Dynamo – and Johnny Grant spent last year with FC Montreal.

Midfield: Swope’s first signing was former Academy product Christian Duke, and it was a fitting addition to exemplify a success story through his pathway. Duke is coming off a thrilling USL season with OKC Energy FC, where he played a big role in the club’s advancement to the Western Conference Semifinals, and on Wednesday was named as the club’s captain. Between Duke and Tyler Pasher, who spent the 2015 season with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, they will be the experience factor for a midfield that includes a wealth of youth. The group includes 19-year-old Kevin Oliveira, who hails from Portuguese club Benefica B. Ualefi Rodrigues dos Reis, 21, spent his youth career with Brazil’s Corinthians.

Forward: The bread and butter of the Rangers just might be the attacking corps. Swope made a concerted effort to bring in some able-bodied strikers. It doesn’t get any stronger than the USL’s all-time leading goal scorer Dane Kelly. Kelly scored 11 goals during the 2015 season with the Charleston Battery, where he posted 42 for his USL career. Kris Tyrpak registered a nine-goal, two-assist season with the Austin Aztex last year, leading the club with an impressive six game-winning goals.

Strengths: The speed and creativity that should be generated from Kelly and Tyrpak could turn into the most intriguing story line to watch from this expansion side. Kelly has become a seasoned striker for a renowned Battery organization and the former Chivas USA draft selection and PDL MVP Tyrpak transitioned smoothly into the USL ranks last season. Time will tell if this duo matches up with some of the league’s best combinations, but on paper and based on their recent track records, signs are pointing toward the affirmative.

Weaknesses: Purely based on minutes domestically, the Rangers’ goalkeeping base is green on that front. Lubin garnered some great experience through the PDL with the Kitsap Pumas and Sounders FC U23, but his young pro career has so far included logging half his time with Tulsa last season and a 2014 stint with IFK Lulea in Sweden. Lubin appears to be surrounded by a good base in front of him, so the change of scenery with a new club could turn into a cohesive group in a short time frame.

Key number: 10 – Between Kris Tyrpak (6) and Dane Kelly (4), the strikers combined for 10 game-winning goals during the 2015 USL season.

Noteworthy matchups: The Rangers and Saint Louis FC will surely draw a strong rivalry, and the season series starts on May 7 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. Another regional spotlight would be OKC Energy FC, where Swope’s first signing Christian Duke spent his first two USL seasons. He returns to Taft Stadium on April 23.

Coach’s view: “I’m a guy of challenges. If I wanted to stay in Ottawa … and choose the comfortable path by sitting in a golden chair with a four-year contract, I could have. I need things that will push me.” – Marc Dos Santos

Current roster (updated: March 23, 2016):

Goalkeepers: Zac Lubin, Steven Tekesky

Defenders: Ezra Armstrong, Oumar Ballo, Amer Didic, Johnny Grant, Tommy Meyer, Jimmy Mulligan, Jacob VanCompernolle

Midfielders: Ualefi Rodrigues dos Reis, Christian Duke, Tomas Granitto, Will Little, Alex Molano, Kevin Oliveira, Tyler Pasher