Swope Park Rangers players share dog stories, look forward to Bark at the Park Night

Even though the Swope Park Rangers players keep busy with practice and traveling, they always make time for their dogs. Kris Tyrpak, Tommy Meyer and Christian Duke all own dogs that they call their best friends.

As for their dogs’ soccer abilities, they would all make the team. Rangers forward Kris Tyrpak says his three-year-old German Shepard Titan, who is celebrating his third birthday on Bark at the Park Night, is pretty talented. “Titan would be a center back. I play with him all the time and he always takes the ball right away from me,” Tyrpak said.

Christian Duke says Zoey, his three-year-old Boxer mix, would be a holding midfielder if she could play soccer. “When we go outside, she is very aggressive and likes to wrestle a lot. In a soccer game she would break up a lot of plays.”

Tommy Meyer says that Stella, his four-year-old Black Lab, would be a great midfielder. “She can tackle the ball pretty well,” Meyer said.

Tomorrow night, the Rangers will be hosting Bark at the Park presented by KC Pet Project.

Tyrpak is bringing Titan to the game. “He’s very social and friendly. He looks intimidating, but he’s the biggest softie ever. He will definitely be there.”

“He is the most loyal, protective dog anybody could ask for,” Tyrpak says of Titan. “He is always there if you need him or not, if you don’t want him there he will still be there. He’s basically a kid.”

Bark at the Park Night marks the first time fans can bring their dogs to a game at Swope Soccer Village. “Sometimes you cannot bring them to parks or games. It’s an easy way to bring your dog out and come support the team,” Meyer said.

Tickets for Bark at the Park Night are available now for $22 here.