Swope Park Rangers forward Hadji Barry was 13 years old when he journeyed to the United States in 2006, departing West Africa and arriving on the East Coast. Barry left his six older siblings and both his parents in Guinea for an adventure in America that began in Upstate New York, continued in Orlando as his soccer career blossomed at UCF and Orlando City SC, and has now reached Kansas City with a standout debut season for SPR.
On the field, Barry leads the team with 16 goals and five assists. He has set career highs in both categories, and last month he set a new USL record with goals in eight straight games during the Rangers' playoff push.