Before the calendar turns to 2017, SportingKC.com is counting down the top five moments from Sporting Kansas City’s 2016 season. From thrilling wins and heroic performances to contract extensions and playoff runs (we see you, Swope Park Rangers), let’s revisit the very best of 2016.
#5: Peterson provides the Answer | #4: The Besler Game | #3: SPR wins Western Conference | #2: Vermes and Feilhaber commit to SKC | #1: Decision Day Delight
The Swope Park Rangers earned league-wide recognition as one of the most exciting teams in the USL with their remarkable run in the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs. On October 15, they added the silverware to back up that reputation.
The fourth-seeded Rangers entered the Western Conference Final against sixth-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Swope Soccer Village having seen off LA Galaxy II in the Quarterfinals and Orange County Blues FC – in improbable fashion – in the Semifinals.
Kris Tyrpak got SPR off to the perfect start on the night, finding the bottom right corner after Mark Anthony Gonzalez’s effort was saved in the eighth minute. Whitecaps FC 2 controlled much of the possession throughout the opening period, but the Rangers’ makeshift backline, that was dealing with suspensions to Ever Alvarado and Tommy Meyer, held firm.
In the 32nd minute, Tyrpak added his second with a close-range finish after excellent wing play from Tyler Pasher, putting the Rangers in a commanding 2-0 lead at the interval.
Vancouver pressed forward in the second half but were denied a route back into the game when Adrian Zendejas sprawled out to his left to tip Kianz Froese’s effort out for a corner. With only a few minutes remaining, Dane Kelly put the game beyond any doubt when he latched onto Pasher’s ball over the top and curled into the top corner.
The Rangers hoisted the USL Western Conference Championship trophy and booked their ticket to the 2016 USL Cup Final with a performance that typified their late-season run. Including the Western Conference Final, SPR went 13-3-4 since hitting their stride in late June, tallying 35 goals and conceding just 14 across 20 games.
Pasher, who recorded two assists on the night, and Zendejas, who posted his fifth shutout in eight games, were each rewarded with MLS contracts at the conclusion of the season after producing consistently standout performances in 2016.
