The Swope Park Rangers are set to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in the USL Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday, Oct. 15. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, with tickets available via Ticketmaster and live stream available on SportingKC.com.
The Rangers advanced to the Western Conference Final in the most unlikely of circumstances, claiming a 2-1 victory over Orange County Blues FC after extra time despite having two players sent off. Mark Anthony Gonzalez put SPR ahead in the 20th minute before Ever Alvarado was shown a straight red card in the 69th minute. Max Rauhofer equalized for the Blues just a minute later and Tommy Meyer was then sent off in the 88th minute as the game headed for extra time.
With the odds stacked against the Rangers, Dane Kelly scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 105th minute as the SPR defense stood firm to advance to the Conference Final in their inaugural season. The result means the Rangers have won six straight games and pushed the side’s home record to a league-best 12-4-1 in 2016.
Sixth-seed Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 reached the Conference Final after upsetting third-seed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-1 in the Quarterfinals, before claiming a dramatic 3-2 victory over OKC Energy FC in the Semifinals last weekend.
Whitecaps FC 2 raced into a 2-0 lead in that game through goals from Kianz Froese and Kyle Greig, but OKC fought back to level the score behind Danni Konig’s and Timo Pitter’s strikes. In the 89th minute, Vancouver’s Daniel Haber knocked home the game-winning goal to send his side through to the Conference Final. Whitecaps FC 2 are 6-5-5 on the road this season.
Vancouver had the Rangers’ number in the regular season, winning both contests in 2016. Whitecaps FC 2 came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Swope Soccer Village on April 27, before withstanding a late attempted comeback from the Rangers to post a 3-2 victory at UBC Thunderbird Stadium on June 12.
The first 500 fans to arrive at the North Gate at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village on Saturday will receive a free “Believe” t-shirt, while SPR jerseys will be available at 50 percent off.
Useful Links
WATCH: Swope Park Rangers: Believe
LISTEN: Marc Dos Santos talks USL Cup Playoffs on SiriusXM FC
LISTEN: Oumar Ballo chats USL Cup Playoffs on the Sporting KC Show
Countdown to SPRvVAN: Rangers' rally sparks BELIEVE campaign
Countdown to SPRvVAN: Get to know Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Countdown to SPRvVAN: Looking back at 3-2 thriller
Countdown to SPRvVAN: KC and Vancouver familiar foes in 2016
Countdown to SPRvVAN: Referee Juan Guzman assigned to Conference Final
Rangers’ Duke Grateful for ‘A Year I’ll be Proud Of’
Didic, Ballo Form Strong Tandem for Rangers
USL Cup Playoffs Preview: Rangers vs. Whitecaps FC 2
USL Cup Playoffs Preview – Conference Finals Weekend
USL Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Final
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers: 14-10-6, 48 pts. 4th seed.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: 12-9-9, 45 pts. 6th seed.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Live Stream: The game will be broadcast on SportingKC.com and YouTube.com/USL
Talent: Carter Augustine (play-by-play), Chad Reynolds (analyst)
SOCIAL TAGS
USL Cup Playoffs hashtag: #USLPlayoffs
Game-specific hashtag: #SPRvVAN
Swope Park Rangers
Twitter: @SwopeRangers
Instagram: @swopeparkrangers
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Twitter: @wfc2
GAME NOTES
