SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In his time in the USL Championship, current Sacramento Republic FC forward Kharlton Belmar has been the centerpiece of some tremendous photography documenting his exploits on the field.

But that passion for the still image is one the 2015 Championship Rookie of the Year also possesses himself, with his Instagram page @kbshootz showing off his ability behind the lens.

“It really starts with my mom; she went to art school before she had me and she’s an amazing artist and painter so over the years I picked that up through her,” Belmar told SacRepublicFC.com’s William Strome recently. “Once she introduced me to it, I started drawing cartoons and anime type of stuff then once I strayed away from that I started being more interested in realism and street art like graffiti. I always took art classes because I liked art in general, but I was never really into drawing objects and that stuff. I always wanted to kind of do my own thing, but the art classes allowed me the opportunity to kind of stop and do that during the school day."

“I’ve told everyone who has asked me what I’ve thought of this so far and I’ve told them it’s been a dream come true experience so far, I just can’t wait to get onto the field and pay homage to what I’ve seen so far from the city and the fans the clubs.”

FAMILY AND FOOTBALL IN TULSA: The incoming Nigerian trio of Solomon Kwambe, Mfon Udoh and Raphael Ayagwa were among the big additions to FC Tulsa’s squad this offseason, joining fellow Nigerian Toby Uzo at the club.

The theme of the journey of all four players to this point of their careers, though, has been one of family and football, as recounted in a piece by FCTulsa.com last week. From early experiences of the game that saw Udoh playing in cleats so bare the socks stuck out the front like a tongue, to representing the Super Eagles at the international level, the connection to those still back home is one that remains strong.

NO DOG DAYS FOR RISING FC: There are plenty of ways you can pass the time while social distancing. Some USL Championship players have taken to TikTok, while others have picked up their controllers to enter the gaming realm.

For Phoenix Rising FC’s Zac Lubin and Darnell King, however, there has been a new four-legged addition to their respective families that’s now taking up plenty of their downtime.

King and his wife Kim adopted a new puppy – named Havoc Henry King – earlier this month, with the half-Rottweiler and half-cattle dog mix a perfect fit for the family.

“I grew up with Rottweilers and my wife raised Australian cattle dogs. I was sold right there,” King told AZCentral.com’s Rob Kleifield. “It just fits [us] perfectly.”

Lubin’s new arrival – a half-pit bull and half-heeler named Lennie – has been part of their family a little bit longer, with last year’s All-Championship Second Team selection having picked out the new pup from Desert Tails Shelter in Scottsdale on March 1. The excitement and enthusiasm that Lennie has brought to Lubin and his girlfriend Brenna has been a handful to say the least, but it’s been well worth the fun in-between individual training and team Zoom sessions.

“Between her, and having Brenna (here), it feels good,” Lubin told Kleifield. “I haven’t felt isolated like a lot of people are. She just brightens up everyone’s day, not just ours, but everyone she comes in contact with.”