Last Saturday, Kris Tyrpak recorded his first assist for the Rangers against Rio Grande Valley FC. In typically humble fashion, the 24-year-old forward credits his teammates for the goal.
“It was definitely a good play, Jimmy (Mulligan) played a great ball through,” Tyrpak said. “Daniel (Salloi) did what we’ve been practicing all week and made a hard run near post and cut back and called for it. I was lucky to see him. I didn’t play him the greatest of balls, but he dealt with it and put it away very nicely. I think that changed the momentum of the game for us and I think we started to dominate possession wise. Unfortunately, the scoreline didn’t dictate how the game really went, we didn’t deserve to lose 4-1, but when you’re pushing to get the equalizing goal, things happen.”
Tyrpak arrived in Kansas City this offseason, looking for some stability after several turbulent years. “It’s been difficult, because I haven’t been able to play and find a rhythm. It’s tough to gain credibility as a player when the only three teams you’ve been with have all gone under.”
Following a stellar college career at Houston Baptist University, Tyrpak was selected in the third round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA, scoring once and adding an assist before the team went defunct at the conclusion of the 2014 MLS season. He then spent time with his hometown team, the USL’s Austin Aztex, before joining the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions on loan. At the end of the 2015 season, the Aztex went on hiatus and the Scorpions ceased operations, making way for another USL expansion side in San Antonio FC.
When asked what his motivation was to sign with the Rangers, Tyrpak said, “The opportunity to be with the first team and to get more minutes. Also to be with a team that is hopefully more stable than the teams I’ve been with previously. I knew Marc (Dos Santos) was a great coach and as soon as I talked to him I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
Tyrpak is rarely seen practicing or playing without his Full90 Premier Headguard, which helps to protect his head. “I’ve had six concussions and they all happened in my junior and senior years of high school. It was before concussion awareness was happening, but I knew I had to do something to protect my head. I wore the headband for a couple of games and noticed a significant decrease in hits (that affected me), so I decided to keep wearing it and fortunately they decided to sponsor me.”
Tyrpak is from Texas, so naturally being in KC creates some rivalry when it comes to barbeque. He recently had his first taste of local BBQ at Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. “It was very good, I’m biased to Texas, but it was a close second to Texas. I will definitely be going back.”
This Saturday the Swope Park Rangers will take on Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field at 9:30 p.m. CT., with the game live streamed on SportingKC.com.
In Tyrpak’s last appearance at Bonney Field, he scored the winning goal as a member of the Austin Aztex in a 1-0 victory. “Sacramento’s a great atmosphere, where you always have the energy to play because they have so many fans there cheering against you and you want to prove them wrong. If I recall, last year my buddy Max (Gunderson) played a great ball in and I was just in the right place at the right time and finished it. Hopefully this weekend I can do the same again.”
