Get up to speed on the Wings forwards and goalkeepers by reading the first set of profiles in this 3-part series by clicking on Part 1
Mehrshad Ahmadi – “Mehrsh”
Midfielder – #49 — Age 23 – 5’9, 165 lbs – Hometown: Herat, Afghanistan
Wings experience: None
Ahmadi comes to the Wings as the leading scorer in the MASL2 last season. His ability to get goals is unparalleled in this league.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Scoring.”
Other professional experience: New Mexico Runners (MASL2)
Favorite soccer team: Real Madrid
His best sport (other than soccer): Football
Message to the Orange Army: “Get ready for the best entertainment in the history of the Wings!!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Roger Downing
Most embarrassing moment: “Missing an open goal.”
Favorite music: Sad music
Secret talent: “Giving good advice.”
Favorite food: Rice and chicken
Dream car: Corvette
Celebrity crush: Scarlett Johansen
Craziest experience: “I was run over by a car.”
Dream vacation: New Zealand
Taylor Henry
Midfielder — #13 – Age 29 – 6’0 – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 4 years
Taylor Henry is a threat to score and to help his teammates do so as well. Two years ago, he was second on the team in assists. This year he hopes to use his experience and savvy to maximize the team’s performance.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Playmaking. Hard work. Little things not on the stat sheet.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita and Wichita Selection
His best sport (other than soccer): Basketball
Message to the Orange Army: “Thank you for all your support over the years. It’s been a true blessing to be able to represent Wichita and play for all of you. You truly are the best indoor fans in the world!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Chris Lemons
Most embarrassing moment: “Missing an open net tap in versus the St Louis Ambush.”
Favorite music: Rap
Secret talent: Video games
Favorite food: Seafood
Dream car: Ford Raptor
Celebrity crush: Jennifer Lawrence
Dream vacation: New York
Max Shea – “Paxwell”
Midfielder — #31 – Age 20 – 5’9, 155 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 1 year
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Arsenal FC
His best sport (other than soccer): Pickleball
Message to the Orange Army: “Your support throughout the season makes all the preparation and dedication worth every second put in during the off-season and during training!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Kevin Ten Eyck
Most embarrassing moment: “Missing my sub in my second home game and getting chewed out by Kieran Laking for it. An embarrassing moment but a necessary one.”
Favorite music: Indie music
Secret talent: Cooking
Favorite food: Steak
Actor that would portray him on film: Ed Norton
Dream car: “A matte black Audi R8.”
Celebrity crush: Emma Watson
Dream vacation: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Doing the Ronaldo celebration on camera with Shane from KAKE News.”
Luis Dantas
Midfielder — #50 – Age 25 – 5’9, 168 lbs – Home country: Portugal
Wings experience: 1 year
What are you best at on the pitch? “1 vs 1 and defending.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Sporting Clube de Portugal
His best sport (other than soccer): Volleyball
Message to the Orange Army: “Be ready for this historic season.”
Favorite all-time Wing: Kevin Ten Eyck
Most embarrassing moment: “I came in off the bench and got a blue card within two seconds!”
Favorite music: Country
Secret talent: Swimming
Favorite food: Cod fish
Actor that would portray him on film: Leonardo Di Caprio
Dream car: Porsche 911
Celebrity crush: Ana de Armas
Craziest experience: “Spending a week in Miami.”
Dream vacation: Japan
Matt Sherrod – “Mr. Hustle”
Midfielder — #4 – Age 32 – 5’6, 145 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 5 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Working hard.”
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection
Favorite soccer team: Manchester United
His best sport (other than soccer): “Golf – ask Roger and Kevin!”
Message to the Orange Army: “We love you guys. Playing for the best fans in indoor soccer is such a privilege – thank you!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Kevin Ten Eyck
Most embarrassing moment: “I’ve never been embarrassed…[winks].”
Favorite music: Metal
Secret talent: “I’m a drummer.”
Favorite food: Chicken wings
Actor that would portray him on film: Matthew McConaughey
Dream car: “Too many to count!”
Celebrity crush: Antonella Messi
Dream vacation: “A Manchester United game in England!”
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “When Aaron Parrot grabbed the crossbar in Houston and it flipped over.”
Colin Lawter – “The Eagle”
Midfielder — #82 – Age 34 – 5’7, 160 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings/B52s experience: 10 years
“The Eagle” has entertained Wichita soccer fans for over a decade with his tenacity throughout the game. Though small of stature, he is an enormous presence on the pitch.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Doing what’s best for the team.”
Other professional experience: Wichita B52s and Wichita Selection
Favorite sports team: Chiefs
His best sport (other than soccer): Golf and tennis
Message to the Orange Army: “Let’s fly together!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Fast Eddie Henderson
Most embarrassing moment: “Kevin left me hanging during a goal celebration!”
Favorite music: Country
Secret talent: “Accounting…I’m a CPA!”
Favorite food: Homemade chicken n’ noodles
Actor that would portray him on film: Rob Dyrdek
Dream car: “I drive it currently: a GMC XL.”
Celebrity crush: “My wife.”
Craziest experience: “Having three kids that rock my world.”
Dream vacation: Scotland
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Watching Nico eat a hamburger on the field as his goal celebration in Albuquerque.”
Jhovany Baltazar – “Jio”
Midfielder – #14 – Age 29 – 5’9, 160 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Recovering for defense.”
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection
Favorite soccer team: Cruz Azul
His best sport (other than soccer): Volleyball
Message to the Orange Army: “Fly, fight, win!”
Most embarrassing moment: “Getting megged.” [a player kicking the ball between another’s legs]
Favorite type of pet: Chickens
Secret talent: Shooting rivets
Favorite food: Shrimp fried rice
Actor that would portray him on film: “Kevin Costner as John Dutton as Jhovany.”
Dream car: 1969 Camaro Z28
Celebrity crush: CR7
Craziest experience: “Crashed my dirtbike.”
Dream vacation: Spain
Junior Quezada
Midfielder — #99 – Age 18 – 5’9, 145 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 1 year
Junior made a huge impact last season, his first in the league. The sky is the limit for this legit talent.
What are you best at on the pitch? “My shot and my dribbling.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Chivas
His best sport (other than soccer): Football
Message to the Orange Army: “Hope to see everyone there this season!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Benji
Most embarrassing moment: “Kicking and missing the ball.”
Favorite music: Mexican
Secret talent: Sports betting
Favorite food: Enchiladas
Dream car: Mercedes AMG
Celebrity crush: Sofia Vergara
Craziest experience: “Winning a state championship in high school.”
Dream vacation: Bora Bora
Gabe Villegas – “Gabe the Babe”
Midfielder – Age 19 – 5’10, 155 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: Rookie
What are you best at on the pitch? “I’m best at staying calm and collected on the ball, as well as creating opportunities for myself and my teammates.”
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection
Favorite soccer team: Sporting KC
His best sport (other than soccer): Basketball
Message to the Orange Army: “Wings fans need to know that this year is going to be big for us. Especially with playoffs being held in the hometown. We are collectively working very hard to get ready for this season in hopes of putting on a great performance for everyone. We are very excited for the beginning of the season and hope you guys are too.”
Favorite all-time Wing: Chico Borja
Favorite music: Alternative/Indie
Secret talent: Snowboarding
Favorite food: Sushi
Actor that would portray him on film: Jennifer Aniston
Dream car: 1969 Camaro SS
Celebrity crush: “My wife.”
Dream vacation: Villegas, Spain
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “In a college game seeing a guy tying his shoe mid-game and getting scored on…”
Guilherme Oliveira – “Gui”
Midfielder — #10 – Age 25 – 5’9, 180 lbs – Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Wings experience: 3 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Having possession of the ball and finding good passes.”
Other professional experience: Red Bull Brasil
Favorite soccer team: Sao Paulo Futebol Clube
His best sport (other than soccer): Ping-pong
Message to the Orange Army: “Thanks to everyone helping the Wichita Wings on building this team and for making me feel welcome!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Kevin Ten Eyck
Favorite music: Pagode
Secret talent: Math
Favorite food: Lasagna
Dream car: a Jeep
Celebrity crush: Jennifer Aniston
Dream vacation: Barcelona, Spain
Lalo Derath
Midfielder – Age 20 – 5’10, 140 lbs – Hometown: Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Being creative on the ball and creating scoring opportunities for the team.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita and Cimarrones de Sonora
Favorite soccer team: Real Madrid
His best sport (other than soccer): Track
Message to the Orange Army: “I’m excited for the 23’-24 season and the experience and memories it will bring and create; not only with my teammates but also with the Wichita Wings fans. I hope to see a great atmosphere at Hartman Arena. Thank you to those supporting us through this season!”
Favorite all-time Wing: David Lucio and Kieran Laking
Most embarrassing moment: “Trying to stop a ball but it rolled under my foot.”
Favorite music: Hip-Hop
Secret talent: cooking
Favorite food: Chicken alfredo
Dream car: GTR Skyline R33
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
Dream vacation: Tokyo, Japan
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Watching a fan get hit in the face with the ball after a shot on goal.”
Paul Gonzalez
Midfielder – Age 20 – 6’0, 175 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: None
What are you best at on the pitch? “Shooting.”
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Manchester City
His best sport (other than soccer): Pickleball
Message to the Orange Army: “I’m looking forward to meeting all of y’all and appreciate you guys supporting the club!”
Favorite all-time Wing: Victor Quiroz
Most embarrassing moment: “Shanking a shot over the goal.”
Favorite music: R&B
Secret talent: Cornhole
Favorite food: Pasta
Actor that would portray him on film: Will Ferrell
Dream car: Mk5 Supra
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
Dream vacation: Texas
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “Tanner Prophet getting a blue card his first shift as a Wings player!”
Craziest experience: “Getting hit by a car.”