Kansas City, MO– Swope Park Rangers are in the USL Final after a 3-0 against Vancouver Whitecaps II. Kris Tyrpak’s brace lead Swope Park to a quick two goal lead and Dane Kelly, USL’s all-time leading scorer blasted home a beautiful goal in the 88th minute sealing the Western Conference Championship. When asked post-match about ever playing for a team like this, Kelly said, “I’ve never played with a team as together as this.”
USL Playoffs: Swope Park Rangers Win Western Conference Title, Advance to Final
In Mark Dos Santos’s final home-match, Swope Park Rangers put on one of their most complete performances of the season. With starting left back Ever Alvarado suspended for a game, and starting right back, Tommy Meyer suspended for six games, there was a bit of a scramble to to put together the backline tonight. Normal left winger, Tyler Pasher dropped down to left back and put in a man of the match performance. If Kris Tyrpak hadn’t bagged a brace, Pasher may actually have gotten the award. Pasher had assisted the final two goals of the game to round out his performance. Mark dos Santos spoke glowingly of him during the postgame. He claimed, “If he (Tyler Pasher) takes everything he’s learned this year, and continues on with it, he can be a really special player.”
While Pasher put in a runner up to MOTM performance, Kris Tyrpak scored a brace and rightfully earned the honors. His first goal came after Vancouver Whitecaps II goalkeeper, Spencer Richey made a fine save on Christian Duke’s late run. Tyrpak picked up the rebound and slotted home with his left foot to give the Rangers the early one-nil lead. While Vancouver had them pinned back in their defensive third for the next twenty-plus minutes, Swope Park was on the counter and looking dangerous. Tyler Pasher got around the backside of the Whitecap’s defense and played a perfect square ball across the six. Tyrpak made a well-timed run and slammed home the shot into the roof of the empty net. When asked about his goals, Tyrpak said, “Just in the right places at the right time.”
The Road Ahead
The small problem with reserve squads in USL is starting to rear its head. With Sporting KC being completely out of contention for the CONCACAF Champions League, and a big game upcoming on Sunday, it would be expected they’d call on a lot of Swope Park Rangers guys for their final CCL match on Wednesday. Now with Swope Park, AND Sporting KC with big games on Sunday (Sporting vs. Earthquakes, final home game; Swope Park vs. TBD, USL Final) the roster selection for Wednesday’s match will be very interesting. When asked, Swope Park Rangers GM Kurt Austin, said that the roster for that match is still being discussed. While we don’t really know how they’ll put together a roster, it’s safe to say that Wednesday’s match will be quite interesting.
Swope Park Rangers will take on the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday October 23, 2016. The match will kick-off at 7PM CT and will be televised on ESPNU.
