Get up to speed on the Wings forwards, goalkeepers, and midfielders by reading the first two sets of profiles in this 3-part series by clicking on Part I or Part II
Daniel Sack
Defender — #18 – Age 34 – 5’11, 180 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings/B52s experience: 7 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Doing the dirty work for the team. Getting down to block shots, tackling, stopping the opponents goal scorers, and opening up space for the younger, more skillful guys.”
Other professional experience: Orange County Blue Stars
Favorite soccer team: Chelsea FC and Sporting KC
His best sport (other than soccer): “Nothing – one trick pony here. Although its about time to take up golf!”
Message to the Orange Army: “We truly appreciate the love and support we get from the Orange Army and Wings fans as a whole. We can feel it when we are on that field and even other teams appreciate the atmosphere when they come here to play. Just ask Mehrshad!”
Favorite all-time Wing: “My family had season tickets growing up in the 90’s. So, my favorites were Kim Roentved, Fast Eddie Henderson, Lebaron Holliman, and the Dunn brothers.”
Most embarrassing moment: “It was my rookie season with the B-52s: I got word at the beginning of the week that I would be suiting up for the upcoming home game. So, of course, I told friends and family about getting my first minutes with the team at home – so I had a lot of people there to see me play. I wasn’t called into action until later on in the 2nd half. The coach finally called my name to take the field. I hopped over the boards to a large cheer in one specific section of the stands (obviously my friends and family). Unfortunately, that cheer was short-lived, as they quickly realized that the only reason my name was called in that instance was to go serve a penalty for a blue card given to the team – too many players on the field or something like that. So, I served the two minutes, and went back to rewarm my spot on the bench for the rest of that game. We still laugh about that 10 years later!”
Secret talent: “It has been a while, but I used to play drums in a ‘band’ that would cover songs.”
Favorite food: “All of it – except corn!”
Favorite music: Anything but country.
Actor that would portray him on film: “I have been told I look like Kevin Bacon – so I guess him. Assuming The Rock is unavailable.”
Dream car: “One that does the driving for me!”
Celebrity crush: Mila Kunis
Craziest experience: “Oh man, lots to choose from. But I gotta say playing for the Wings, the team I idolized as a kid playing soccer, really is pretty crazy.”
Dream vacation: “Iceland and New Zealand top the list currently.”
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “We have a great group of guys and a coach that allow for practices to be light-hearted and fun, but in the past I have had one or two that discourage that. So, we are always laughing and having a good time when we’re all together. But one that sticks out to me was back in the B-52s days, second season. One training session, we were playing a full field scrimmage and Hans Hassel went into a tackle on Tico Rodriguez. It was just a little bit late and he caught Tico on the foot: definitely a foul and probably a blue card in a game. But what had us all on the floor laughing was the fact that Tico got tackled so hard, that both his shoe and his sock came off in the tackle. He was wearing ankle high socks that day, not calf or knee high. But that is still something I have never seen before or since.”
Kevin Ten Eyck
Defender — #16 – Age 36 – 6’0, 195 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 8 years
Ten Eyck has become a Wichita Wings institution. At the age of 36, he is still one of the best defenders in the league. His vision on the pitch is unparalleled. It may be his last year…or it may not. Only time will tell.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Passion…probably too much of it. And commitment.”
Other professional experience: KC Comets and FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Manchester United
His best sport (other than soccer): “I enjoy playing golf and volleyball…but definitely not good at it.”
Favorite all-time Wing: Fast Eddie Henderson
Favorite music: Country
Secret talent: “Being lazy.”
Favorite food: Ice cream
Celebrity crush: Jennifer Aniston
Craziest experience: “Getting stuck in an elevator as a child.”
Dream vacation: Normandy, France
Carlos Vidrio – “Carlitos”
Defender – Age 20 – 5’11, 150 lbs – Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “To always give my all on the field, regardless of how the game is going.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Barcelona
His best sport (other than soccer): Football kicker
Message to the Orange Army: “I am very thankful for this opportunity. Just know I’ll give my all on the field for you guys, we’ll see you guys at Hartman Arena!”
Favorite music: Rap
Secret talent: Drawing and sketching
Favorite food: Tortas Abogadas
Actor that would portray him on film: “Probably a young Ralph Macchio.”
Dream car: Nissan GT-R NISMO
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
Dream vacation: Santorini, Greece
Peter Espinosa – “Ice Cream”
Defender — #23 – Age 35 – 6’0, 170 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 4 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Effort, and using my experience to compensate for my aging body failing me.”
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection
Favorite soccer team: Tottenham Hotspur
His best sport (other than soccer): BMX
Favorite all-time Wing: Erik Rasmussen
Favorite music: Regina Spektor
Secret talent: “Playing 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.”
Favorite food: Lina’s Mexican Restaurant
Actor that would portray him on film: “Daniel Day Lewis. He can play anyone.”
Dream car: Suzuki Jimny
Celebrity crush: “A combination of Emmy Rossum and Jennifer Connelly. I’m talking Cinderella Man Jennifer Connelly, not Requiem for a Dream Jennifer Connelly.”
Craziest experience: “I got caught in a taxi that was washed away in a flash flood while in Brazil for the World Cup in 2014. We came face-to-face with a public transportation bus trying to outrun the flood as well.”
Dream vacation: Oman
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Aaron Parrot crashing through his own goal and almost tearing down the entire set of boards on an away trip a few years ago.”
Philip Nguyen – “Phil the Thrill”
Defender – Age 33 – 5’8, 155 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Communication.”
Other professional experience: St. Louis Lions, Cape Coral Hurricanes, and Sporting North Texas
Favorite soccer team: Real Madrid
His best sport (other than soccer): Pickleball
Message to the Orange Army: “We put on for our city. 316 pride!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Colin Lawter
Most embarrassing moment: “I’ve definitely thrown up and played through it.”
Favorite music: Electronic dance music
Secret talent: Useless trivia knowledge.
Favorite food: Vietnamese Cuisine
Favorite pet: Fish
Actor that would portray him on film: Jean Claude Van Damme
Dream car: “Aston Martin…preferably 007’s.”
Celebrity crush: Dua Lipa
Craziest experience: “A car accident nearly put me six feet under.”
Dream vacation: Japan
Funniest Moment on the pitch: A ball hit the upper corner on the post and literally blew up.
Kieran Laking
Defender — #2 – Age 28 – 6’0, Weight: [censored] – Hometown: Hartlepool, England
Wings experience: 4 years
Continuing the long tradition (Roy Turner and Kevin Kewley) of Wichita Wings from the Liverpool, England region, Laking brings skill, energy, and passion to the Wings. Will he throw his shoe at another ref this year? We can’t wait to find out…
What are you best at on the pitch? “Decent left foot, love a slide tackle, but best at giving refs an earful.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Manchester United
His best sport (other than soccer): Esports FIFA
Message to the Orange Army: “Thank you for all the love and support. Coming from a country where football is so engrained in the culture, I really appreciate what the Wings mean to families through the generations, and I am proud to represent the badge and the city. Now it’s time for us to get our championship!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Nico
Most embarrassing moment: “Definitely throwing the shoe at ref… and then shoulder bumping him… and then flipping him off…in front of the kids I coach!!! What an awful example and role model! But unfortunately, that’s the beauty of the game: it makes me a completely different person when I play… more like a petulant child than a fully grown man! [laughs]”
Favorite music: UK rap
Secret talent: “If it’s football related, I will do alright, but anything else I’m pretty useless [laughs].”
Favorite food: Indian
Actor that would portray him on film: James Buckley
Dream car: Lamborghini Urus
Celebrity crush: “This one is a set up from the Mrs., isn’t it???”
Dream vacation: Brazil
Luke Mills – “Millsy”
Defender — #3 – Age 24 – 6’2 – Hometown: Leighton Buzzard, England
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Defending and passing.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Liverpool FC
His best sport (other than soccer): Golf
Message to the Orange Army: “Be ready for a traditional English player with some accidental flare along the way.”
Favorite all-time Wing: Kieran Laking
Most embarrassing moment: “Tripping on the ball and giving it straight to the opponents striker for the assist.”
Favorite music: House music
Secret talent: Pickleball
Favorite food: Italian
Dream car: Aston Martin
Celebrity crush: “I can’t answer that. It would put me in the doghouse with the Mrs.!!”
Dream vacation: Bahamas
Zak Ellington
Defender — Age 38 – 5’10, 165 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 2 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Giving maximum effort.”
Favorite soccer team: Manchester United
His best sport (other than soccer): Taekwondo
Favorite all-time Wing: Kieran Laking and Colin Lawter
Most embarrassing moment: “Jumping over the wall in St. Louis to run out on the field to get involved in a fight, but not even being suited up for the game. Kevin was NOT happy [laughs].”
Favorite music: Classical or piano
Secret talent: Martial Arts
Favorite food: Lebanese
Dream car: Audi R8
Celebrity crush: Margot Robbie
Dream vacation: Switzerland
Ygor Tuten
Defender – Age 26 – 6’3, 192 lbs – Hometown: São José dos Campos, Brasil
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Tackling, passing the ball, heading and organizing the team.”
Other professional experience: São José FC
Favorite soccer team: Brasil national team
His best sport (other than soccer): Bullfighting
Favorite music: Pagode
Favorite food: Meat and salad.
Dream car: BMW X6 M Competition
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
Dream vacation: Greece
Jorge Rodriguez
Defender – Age 25 – 6’3, 197 lbs – Hometown: Cali, Colombia
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “1 v 1 defense.”
Other professional experience: West Texas FC, Laredo Heat, and Red Wolves SC
Favorite soccer team: Atlético Madrid
His best sport (other than soccer): Ping pong
Message to the Orange Army: “I’m so happy to wear this jersey and represent this beautiful city. I’ll do my best in every single game and you will notice!”
Most embarrassing moment: “I got megged.”
Favorite music: Reggaeton
Secret talent: Dancing salsa
Favorite food: Chicken wings
Dream car: Lamborghini
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
Craziest experience: “Coming to the USA from Colombia is still the craziest experience I’ve had!”
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Someone made a number two in their shorts!!!”