Sporting Cascades Kicks Off 2027 Roster Build
Expansion side Sporting Cascades FC started its 2027 roster build with the signing of left back Jonathan Robinson. The club announced the signing last week.
Robinson joins the club from Australian A-League club Auckland FC, where he appeared on the club's Oceania Football Conference Professional League roster. Robinson also brings experience from New Zealand top-flight club Western Suburbs and MLS NextPro side Sporting Kansas City II.
WATCH: Jonathan Robinson Goal with Sporting Kansas City II
The club described Robinson as a "pacy defender who enjoys creating chances," citing his six goals and five assists across 50 appearances with Kansas City II and Auckland FC.
Sporting Cascades' Head Coach Darren Sawatzky also cited Robinson's "unique character," saying "the people [in Eugene and Springfield] are genuine and authentic, so we know that we must reward that with players who are also cut from that cloth."
The club also mentioned Robinson's prior leadership roles, serving as team captain while at Western Michigan University.
Sporting Cascades held an open combine last week, indicating the club is pushing forward ahead of schedule in building the 2027 roster. Of the three expansion sides set to join USL League One next season, including Fort Lauderdale United and Port St. Lucie SC, Cascades is the only club with an announced professional technical staff. Cascades hired assistant Connor Cappelletti from the Richmond Kickers earlier this year, then acquired Richmond's then-head coach Sawatzsky in June after buying out the remainder of his contract.
All three expansion clubs competed in USL League Two, with Sporting Cascades known as Lane United FC through the 2025 season, and Fort Lauderdale United and Port. St. Lucie fielding teams in 2026. However, neither of the latter has announced technical staff for the professional men's teams. Both are selling season ticket deposits for 2027, with Port St. Lucie reporting 1,000 reserved as of earlier this week.
With USL contracts set to expire at the end of November, expect more frequent signing announcements after that date.
