The Swope Park Rangers advanced to the 2016 USL Cup Final with a 3-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday night at Swope Soccer Village. Two goals from Kris Tyrpak and a late strike from Dane Kelly saw the Rangers claim their first-ever silverware with the Western Conference Championship.
Vancouver controlled the play early on but it was the Rangers who took the lead in the eighth minute. Ayrton found Christian Duke in the area, and his cross was diverted on goal by Mark Anthony Gonzalez, only for Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey to make a point-blank save. The ball fell to Tyrpak 12 yards out, and he found the near post to put his side 1-0 up.
Three minutes later, Canadian international Marco Bustos found space inside the SPR area, but his shot hit the side netting. Dane Kelly went close twice in quick succession, firing narrowly wide after being found by Ayrton inside the area on each occasion.
The Rangers extended their lead in the 32nd minute through Tyrpak’s 10th goal of the season. Tyler Pasher beat his man down the left wing and whipped in a cross that evaded the Vancouver centerbacks and found Tyrpak at the far post, and he slammed his finish off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net to make the score 2-0, which is how it would remain at halftime.
The home side began the second period on the front, with Ayrton slicing an open opportunity wide and Amer Didic heading a corner narrowly off target within the first five minutes of the half.
Nansel Selbol tested Richey in the 62nd minute, but his shot from the edge of the area was well gathered by the Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper. Eight minutes later, it was Rangers ‘keeper Adrian Zendejas who was called into action to deny Kianz Froese’s curling effort that was destined for the top corner.
Selbol went close again in the 73rd minute, cutting inside three challenges before firing just wide of the bottom left corner from 25 yards. Selbol and Christian Duke linked up three minutes later to set up Kelly, but his shot flew over the bar.
The Rangers added their third goal and sealed a berth in the 2016 USL Cup Final in the 89th minute when Pasher floated a ball over the top for Kelly to chase, and the forward beat Deklan Wynne to the ball before curling his finish beyond Richey to make the score 3-0.
SPR would finish the game with 10 men after Selbol was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in second-half stoppage time, and he will now be suspended for next Sunday’s USL Cup Final.
Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf
- Kris Tyrpak – Scored the opening two goals of the contest, including the game-winning goal with an eighth minute strike. The forward now has 10 goals on the season, leaving him second on the team in that category.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers will take on New York Red Bulls II in the 2016 USL Cup Final on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
October 15, 2016 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers 3, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 0
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Kris Tyrpak 9 (Unassisted) 8’
SPR – Kris Tyrpak 10 (Tyler Pasher 3) 32’
SPR – Dane Kelly 8 (Tyler Pasher 4) 89’
Misconduct Summary:
SPR – Nansel Selbol (Yellow Card) 83’
SPR – Alex Molano (Yellow Card) 88’
VAN – Sem De Wit (Yellow Card) 90’
SPR – Nansel Selbol (Yellow Card/Red Card) 90+
Swope Park Rangers: Adrian Zendejas; Johnny Grant, Amer Didic, Oumar Ballo, Tyler Pasher; Emmanuel Appiah (Alex Molano 85’), Christian Duke ©, Mark Anthony Gonzalez (Nansel Selbol 19’); Kris Tyrpak (Akeil Barrett 70’), Dane Kelly (Will Little 90’), Ayrton (Tomas Granitto 72’).
Substitutes Not Used: Zac Lubin, Patrick Wilkinson.
STATS: Shots 12, Shots on Goal 5, Corners 1, Fouls 13
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: Spencer Richey; Kadin Chung (Christopher Diaz 67’), Sem De Wit, Cole Seiler, Deklan Wynne; Brett Levis, Matthew Baldisimo (Thomas Sanner 79’), Kianz Froese (Giuliano Frano 75’), Daniel Haber (Fatawu Safiu 55’), Marco Bustos; Kyle Greig ©.
Substitutes Not Used: Marco Carducci, Joel Harrison, Sahil Sandhu.
STATS: Shots 6, Shots on Goal 2, Corners 9, Fouls 6
Referee: Juan Guzman
Assistant Referees: Ryan Cook and Jack Feldman
Fourth Official: Jon Freemon
Attendance: 2,922
Weather: Cloudy and 72 degrees
