Roadrunners soccer looks to build with more than 20 new players

Sedalia, Mo. – The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners soccer team is busy preparing for the upcoming 2025 campaign. Head Coach Michael Poropat has liked what he has seen from his team so far.

The roster includes 22 newcomers alongside six returning players.

"The players are acclimating to the Missouri humidity," said Poropat. "They are working hard and giving 100%. They are motivated. It is a good group of guys. Our returners are doing a good job of leading by example both on and off the field."

Poropat has a clear vision for the team's style of play this season.

"We are a much deeper team this year then we have been in the past," said Poropat. "We can sub quite a bit more, which means a lot of players are going to get opportunities this year. We played about 13 guys in each game for the last couple of years. This year we can expect to play 18 or maybe 19 guys in a game."

He believes leadership will come from goalkeeper Michele Tafani, Mohammed Naini and other players within the team.

"Everyone needs to pitch in," said Poropat. "There are some freshmen who are stepping up. I might look at them to be leaders on the team sooner than expected."

Some players have stood out early in practice.

"Diego Canto along with Derwin Eusebe who is a returner from last year," said Poropat. "Tomas Caceres, along with Gianni Bolanos are some of the players who stood out in the first week of practice."

SFCC will be tested early and often before entering the always-tough Region 16 slate.

"I like how the schedule sets up for us this year," said Poropat. "We don't begin region play until the third week of September. We have a game on the weekend and a game in midweek every week. I like our schedule a lot."

The Roadrunners will open the regular season at Iowa Central Community College on Sunday, Aug. 24. SFCC's home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, against Allen County Community College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

"Region 16 is an extremely competitive region," said Poropat. "Every game feels like a playoff game. There are a lot of good coaches in this region, and every game will be a test."

The team has its sights set on some ambitious goals this season.

"We want to build upon some of the success that we had last year," said Poropat. "With the depth that our team has this year, the team goals are trophies, a Region trophy, a district trophy and then we'll see what happens. In order to accomplish our goals, we have to stay healthy. The players have to come together and understand that we are family; we are a team and we're all here for each other. If we can do those things, we can have some success this year."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics