Former Spartan Tyler Blackwood Signs Deal With Swope Park Rangers
Two-year letterwinner was All-American and SSC Player of Year for Spartans.
OVERLAND PARK, Kans. - Former University of Tampa men's soccer standout Tyler Blackwood has agreed to a deal with the Swope Park Rangers prior to the 2018 season. Blackwood has spent the last two seasons in the USL, playing for the Phoenix Rising FC in 2016 before spending the 2017 year with the Sacramento Republic FC.
"Adrian Bush played a big role in this deal as he has connections here," says Blackwood. He is the one who initially gave me a chance in the U.S., and is someone who has continually supported and helped me even after leaving UT."
A two-year letterwinner for UT in 2012 and 2013, Blackwood spent three years at Tampa as he redshirted the 2011 season. He would finish his collegiate career at the Universty of South Florida in 2015 before entering the professional ranks.
The London native was a two-time first-team all-Sunshine State Conference selection, and was also tabbed as both the SSC Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014. The two-time All-American concluded his Tampa career with 24 goals, eight assists and eight game-winning goals.
"I am excited to get started in Kansas, at a team with unbelievable facilities and a clear path to the MLS," says Blackwood.
Blackwood played in 34 games for Sacramento in 2017 and ranked fourth on the team with six goals, while adding three assists. He scored against the Swope Park Rangers in a 2-2 draw on August 23with the equalizing goal in the 88th minute.
Before joining Sacramento, Blackwood made 26 appearances for Phoenix Rising FC (then Arizona United SC) in 2016. He scored eight goals and added one assist for the club.
He previously spent time in his hometown of London with the Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship and on loan with League Two outfit Newport County.
The Swope Park Rangers are a United Soccer League club affiliated with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. The Rangers play their home games at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas.