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Nashville SC Adds Another Scoring Threat in Kharlton Belmar

December 13, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


NASHVILLE - Nashville Soccer Club continues to sign the top talent in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship to its 2019 as it announced the addition of forward Kharlton Belmar on Thursday morning, pending league and federation approval. Belmar has been one of the premier scorers in the USL Championship over the last four seasons, pouring in 40 total goals, the 12th most in USL history.

"Kharlton's pace and power has given many defenses sleepless nights," said Nashville SC head coach Gary Smith. "He's not only a good creator but also a top finisher. He's a fantastic and exciting addition to the team."

Just 26, Belmar started last season with Swope Park Rangers before a move to parent club Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer (MLS). Before he moved to MLS, Belmar had scored eight goals in eight games, leading the USL Championship after the first two months of the 2018 season.

"Kharlton's combination of outstanding athleticism and relentless mentality make him a threat to get behind opposing defenses," said Nashville SC VP of soccer operations and technical director Mike Jacobs. "He has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to create and finish scoring chances, and we know that he will bring an added dimension to our club."

Following the move to Sporting KC, Belmar appeared in four MLS matches and one U.S. Open Cup match. He scored his first goal in an MLS uniform in that Open Cup tie, while adding an assist, to lead Sporting KC to a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake. Towards the end of the 2018 season, Belmar flipped back and forth between the two clubs. He finished the season with 10 goals and six assists for Swope Park in 20 appearances.

Drafted by the Portland Timbers in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Belmar had immediate success as a pro, scoring 12 goals as rookie for Portland's USL Championship affiliate, Portland Timbers 2. He was named the 2015 USL Rookie of the Year and was a member of the All-League Second Team that same season. He played two seasons with Timbers 2 before signing with Sporting Kansas City.

Belmar's best statistical season came in 2017, his first year in Kansas City. While he did make his MLS debut late that season, he played primarily for Swope Park, making 28 appearances for the USL Championship side. Belmar scored 15 goals, finishing in the top five of the league. He added four assists as he, and current Nashville players Lebo Moloto and Liam Doyle, led Swope Park to the USL Cup Final.

With the addition of Belmar alongside the MLS signing of Daniel Ríos and the USL Championship signings of Ken Tribbett and Darnell King, Nashville SC has added four players who combined for 39 goals in the USL last season. Adding to the 34 goals that returning Nashville players scored last season, the 73 total goals would rank tied for fourth in the USL Championship last season, tied with FC Cincinnati.

2019 Roster Breakdown

Keepers: Matt Pickens

Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois, Justin Davis, Liam Doyle, Kosuke Kimura, Darnell King, Ken Tribbett, Taylor Washington

Midfielders: Bolu Akinyode, Ramone Howell, Matt LaGrassa, Lebo Moloto, Michael Reed

Forwards: Kharlton Belmar, Tucker Hume, Ropapa Mensah, Daniel Ríos, Alan Winn

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