TYLER PASHER MAKES MSL DEBUT IN KANSAS CITY
ELMIRA’S TYLER PASHER STEPPED out onto the pitch earlier this month playing his first game of Major League Soccer for Sporting Kansas City.
He’s one of four players who were called up from Sporting KC’s affiliate United Soccer League team, the Swope Park Rangers, to play on Sept. 13 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Sporting KC was eliminated from the Scotiabank Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Champions League due to the 2-1 loss. Pasher said unfortunately the team didn’t get the result they were looking for, but he felt he played well for his first game with the team.
“There are a few areas I’d like to improve on for my individual game, however I am still happy with my debut,” Pasher said in an email interview.
The 22-year-old is one of Sporting’s youngest players, but says he doesn’t necessarily feel more pressure because of his age.
“I would say that I feel I need to show that despite my age, I have the skills and abilities to play with the rest of the team.”
Pasher plays whichever position he’s needed in on the pitch, either at left wing or left back. He says he’s happy to play where the coach needs him and he tries to attack the ball and defend the net regardless of where he is.
“To make myself more competitive I’m working on keeping my playing style as consistent and effective as it can be, and working on anything my coaches want me to improve,” Pasher said.
And getting to test out his skills in the MLS has served him well. He says since the game with Sporting he’s felt more confident and relaxed both on and off the ball.
He doesn’t point out a particular game or team he’s looking forward to playing, saying he’s only focused on the upcoming USL playoffs with the Swope Park Rangers.
“After this weekend’s big win in OKC, we’ve secured our playoff spot and I am really looking forward to seeing how we do in playoffs,” Pasher said.
His hopes for the season are to maintain consistency both individually and as a team throughout the games and advance as far as possible in the playoffs.
“To be able to go up with Sporting Kansas City for the CONCACAF game meant a lot to me. It’s been my dream since I was a little boy to play for such an amazing club, and I really couldn’t have been more honoured to put on that shirt and step on that pitch,” Pasher said.
You can follow along at www.sportingkc.com/rangers/schedule.