Players for the Wichita Wings range from the relatively short (5’6 ft tall) to the positively basketball player-sized (6’6). They weigh in at a sprightly 145 lbs, all the way up to a sturdy 245 lbs. Ten of them identify as defenders, 10 more as midfielders, four as forwards, and four as goalkeepers. The oldest is 38, while the youngest is only 20.
More than half of them (18) hail from right here in Wichita. But get your map of the world out for the rest of them. You’ll find four native Portuguese speakers: three from Brazil and one from Portugal itself. There’s one player from Mexico, though several have Hispanic heritage. One defender comes from Cali, Colombia. The Wing that came the farthest originally journeyed to our country as a refugee from Afghanistan.
There are two Brits on the team: a Liverpudlian (or Hartlepudlian to be exact) and one fella hailing from (believe it or not) Leighton Buzzard, England. [Sidenote: English village names always entertain. I recommend visiting both Upper and Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds!] And, of course, there’s the California Kid, one Floridian, and a coach from the great state of Ohio.
The most popular sports team amongst the lads is Manchester United, with five votes. Real Madrid comes in close with three supporters. One player fancies Everton (winning points from their local alum, the great Roy Turner). Liverpool FC gets one vote, with approval from Wings and Liverpool player Kevin Kewley. The Hotspur of Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal (Andy Chapman cheers!), Chelsea, and Newcastle round out the list of English Premier League votes.
Favorite foods range from the improbable (beef jerky) to the very appropriate (WINGS!). But don’t feed corn to Daniel Sack: he’s not interested. The most popular cuisine is Mexican, with seven votes.
For those who are local and know the history, their list of favorite Wings players from the past include Erik Rasmussen, Fast Eddie Henderson, Kim Roentved, Chico Borja, LeBaron Hollimon, the Dunn brothers, Matt Clare, Chris Lemons, Nico, and Benji. But current players make the list as well, including Colin Lawter, Taylor Henry, Kieran Laking, and Kevin Ten Eyck, who won the most votes. One savvy player picked coach Roger Downing.
If you were to inspect their iTunes and Spotify accounts, you’d find seven country music fans and one player who will listen to anything BUT that. There are four players that you might find twirling glowsticks while jamming out to electronica or house music. Three Wings pump the bass for rap music, one is a fan of Reggaeton, while another likes corridos from Mexico. Throw in some metal and traditional Brazilian country-folk called Pagode for good measure. One sophisticated lad appreciates classical piano.
An astounding 86% of Wings players are dog people, with only two men preferring cats. Regardless, we should keep all their dogs and cats separated from the fish and chickens that two players prefer to keep in their house.
A large majority prefer a beach vacation, with just over a quarter of the guys wanting to visit the mountains. One player likes it best right here in the prairie. Their sports skills OUTSIDE of soccer are varied: there are four players who like to ball out like Steph Curry, four volleyball players, three football wannabe football stars, three golfers (fore!), two ping-pong Olympians, one Taekwondo martial artist, a BMX trickster, one baseball star, and one [clears throat] eSports FIFA expert.
But most importantly, we now know the celebrity crushes of each of these Wings players! The winner…is a three-way tie: Megan Fox (3), Margot Robbie (3), and Jennifer Aniston (3). Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansen, and Emma Watson come in for a tie for second place. One player, clearly the wisest of them all, asked if this was a set-up from his wife…
Now, let’s meet these guys and find out even more!
Roger Downing
Head Coach/Defender — #41 — Age 37 — Hometown: Dayton, OH
Wings experience: 4 years
The brains of the operation. A relentless competitor, Downing will sometimes join the team on the pitch if he feels like they need it.
Other professional experience: Cincinnati Saints and Cincinnati Kings.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Reading the pitch.”
Favorite soccer team: “Any team that has an American playing. Go ‘Merica!”
His best sport (other than soccer): Basketball.
Favorite food: Beef jerky
Message to the Orange Army: “Kevin Ten Eyck isn’t as angry as he always portrays…I swear!”
Most embarrassing moment: “Anytime I have to witness the California Kid head a ball.”
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite type of pet: Dog
Secret skill: Golf
Actor that would portray him on film: Mark Wahlberg
Dream car: Honda Odyssey minivan [Editor’s note: we don’t believe him!]
Dream vacation spot: Ireland
Jared Robbins – “The California Kid”
Forward — #25 – Age 27 – 6’4, 245 lbs — Hometown: Cotati, CA
Wings experience: 4 years
A big unit on the field. Few players can move him and many opponents underestimate his dexterity.
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection and FC Wichita
What are you best at on the pitch? “My biggest strength is my ability to use my size and hold the ball.”
Favorite soccer team: “Chelsea FC!!!”
Favorite food: “I love Mexican food.”
Message to the Orange Army: “I’ve always looked forward to playing in front of the Wings fans and can’t wait to keep it going this year! My favorite years of playing have been playing with the guys on the team and in front of the fans!”
Favorite music: Country or rap
Secret skill: “Grilling and smoking!”
Dream car: “I love my F150! Can’t say I want anything else right now.”
Dream vacation: “England! I want to go to a Chelsea game.”
Funniest Moment on the pitch: “The first year the Wings came back, Aaron Parrott tried to hang on the crossbar and nearly killed himself. It was the best thing ever. I have a video if you want to see!”
Juan Emmanuel Zamora
Forward – #19 – Age 23 – 6’2, 180 lbs — Hometown: LaBelle, FL
Wings experience: 3 years
Zamora sticks to his man like glue and they hate it. Watch the reaction opposing players have when playing Zamora…he is a pro at getting under their skin.
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
What are you best at on the pitch? “Turning and finishing.”
Favorite soccer team: Newcastle
Favorite food: Posole
Favorite music: Corridos
His best sport (other than soccer): Volleyball
Message to the Orange Army: “Hope everyone has fun and enjoys the atmosphere!”
Secret talent: Boxing
Celebrity crush: Jennifer Lawrence
Dream car: Toyota Supra
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Caique Trivelato – “Cai”
Forward – #15 – Age 25 – 6’6, 210 lbs – Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Wings experience: None
With basketball and futsal experience, Caique has the skills and the size to be a prototypical target forward.
Other professional experience: FC Wichita
Favorite soccer team: Santos FC (his father played there for four years)
His best sport (other than soccer): Basketball
Favorite food: Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue)
Message to the Orange Army: “It is a pleasure to be able to represent the town.”
Favorite all-time Wichita Wing: Aaron Parrott
Most embarrassing moment: “Stepping on the ball and falling down!”
Favorite Music: Worship music
Secret talent: Playing guitar
Dream car: Ferrari
Actor that would portray him on film: Matthew McConaughey
Craziest experience in life: “Moving to a new country that is 4,744 miles far from my parents.”
Dream vacation: Athens, Greece
Tanner Prophet – “The General”
Forward – Age 21 – 6’3, 189 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: Rookie
The only rookie forward on the team, Prophet will look to make an impact using his wiles and his size.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Being a fierce but smart defensive player.”
Favorite soccer team: Manchester City
His best sport (other than soccer): Golf
Favorite food: Mexican
Message to the Orange Army: “Thank you in advance for all the support and guidance through the season! You guys are not only fans to us but a part of the Wichita Wings itself! Thank you for all that you do for us players on and off the field.”
Favorite all-time Wichita Wing: Matt Clare
Favorite music: Country
Secret talent: Pickleball
Dream car: Honda Civic Type R
Actor that would portray him on film: Adam Sandler
Celebrity crush: Margot Robbie
Craziest experience: “Dislocating my knee in a soccer match.”
Aaron Parrott
Goalkeeper – #1 — Age 28 – 6’3, 220 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 5 years
Over the past few years, he’s gone from a backup to the starting goalkeeper. He now hopes to prove he has the stopping power and staying power of the great Wings goalies of the past.
What are you best at on the pitch? “Sliding and spreads.”
Favorite soccer team: Everton FC
His best sport (other than soccer): Baseball Favorite food: Steak
Favorite music: Country
Secret talent: Cooking
Dream car: Audi R8
Celebrity crush: Emma Watson
Dream vacation: Switzerland
Most embarrassing moment: “Getting caught in the net in Texas during my first game.”
Jason Dewey
Goalkeeper – Age 35 – 6’2, 205 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 2 years
A beloved member of the Wichita B52s ten years ago, Dewey brings savvy and experience to the goalkeeper position.
Other professional experience: Wichita B52s, Ontario Fury, US Indoor National Team
Favorite soccer team: Manchester United
His best sport (other than soccer): Volleyball
Favorite food: Mexican
Message to the Orange Army: “Get ready to spread your wings, Wichita! The upcoming season is going to be a thrilling ride, and your support means everything to the team. Let’s soar to victory together!”
Favorite all-time Wichita Wing: Kim Roentved
Most embarrassing moment: “My youth group used to come to my high school soccer games and they would chant ‘Jason Dewey’ every time I even touched the ball. My coaches were not amused [laughs].”
Favorite music: Electronic music
Secret talent: Snowboarding
Actor that would portray him on film: Mark Wahlberg
Dream car: 80 Series Toyota LandCruiser
Celebrity crush: Margot Robbie
Dream vacation: Switzerland
Craziest experience: “I crashed in a mountain luge race and rolled down a mountain, but recovered, caught up to my luge and still won the race. I was quite bloody and bruised after that.”
Jose Ocampo – “Josie”
Goalkeeper – #0 – Age 34 – 5’9, 180 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: None
A longtime keeper for Wichita Selection, Ocampo brings experience and skill to the goalkeeper position for the Wings.
What are you best at on the pitch? “I’m a shot stopper and communicator during the game.”
Other professional experience: Wichita Selection and USA567 Arena National Team.
Favorite soccer team: Chivas and Real Madrid
His best sport (other than soccer): “Basketball: if it wasn’t for my height, I would have made the league.”
Message to the Orange Army: “We’re in it together!!”
Favorite all-time Wichita Wing: Taylor Henry
Favorite music: Techno, House music
Secret talent: Cornhole
Favorite food: Seafood
Dream car: 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (the car in the movie Training Day)
Celebrity crush: Shakira (hips don’t lie!)
Dream vacation: Egypt (the pyramids)
Taylor Parrott
Goalkeeper – #52 — Age 31 – 6’2, 215 lbs – Hometown: Wichita
Wings experience: 2 years
What are you best at on the pitch? “Shotstopping.”
Favorite soccer team: Liverpool FC
Message to the Orange Army: “I love and appreciate the atmosphere that you all bring every game. It makes being a part of this much more fun!”
Favorite music: Metalcore/rock/alternative
Favorite food: Sushi
Celebrity crush: Blake Lively
Dream car: Porsche GT3 RS