The Swope Park Rangers (12-4-2, 2nd place) have conceded the second fewest goals in the USL this year and have held opponents scoreless in each of their past five matches.
Reno 1868 FC (7-4-6, 5th place) has scored the second most goals of all 30 USL teams in their 2017 expansion season and are led by the league’s all-time leading scorer Dane Kelly.
On Sunday, two of the Western Conference’s top teams will square off with plenty to prove at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village. Kick off is set for 4 p.m. CT live on SportingKC.com and tickets are available online at SeatGeek.com starting at $15.
The Rangers are riding a 10-game unbeaten streak, including seven straight wins and five consecutive clean sheets, that has the club approaching two impressive league records.
Longest Winning Streaks (USL Regular Season)
- 9 Games: Real Monarchs SLC (2017)
- 8 Games: Orlando City SC (2014)
Longest Shutout Streaks (USL Regular Season)
- 8 Games: Rio Grande Valley FC (2016)
- 7 Games: San Antonio FC (2017)
- 6 Games: Rochester Rhinos (2012)
The SPR streaks will be put to the test in the club’s debut match-up with Reno 1868 FC on Sunday. The visitors enter the contest with a five-game unbeaten run of their own which was highlighted by a 9-0 win over LA Galaxy II earlier this month.
Kelly, who scored eight goals for the Rangers last season, returns to Kansas City amidst a career-year with 13 goals, second most in the USL, across 17 appearances. The 26-year-old MVP candidate now has 61 career USL goals in seven seasons, most of any player in league history.
Kelly is joined in the attack by Antoine Hoppenot, who has started every match for Reno 1868 FC, and Rookie of the Year contender Chris Wehan, who leads the USL with eight assists. Midfielder Junior Burgos recently represented El Salvador at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Reno’s roster has also been bolstered by the presence of six players on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes, including goalkeepers Andrew Tarbell and Matt Bersano.
Sunday’s match is presented by Vatterott College and the first 1,500 fans inside the gates will receive a cellphone screen wipe giveaway. In addition, the non-profit organization 2x4’s for Hope will be in attendance and SPR supporters can sign lumber that will be used to build houses for homeless veterans and families whose homes have been destroyed by natural disasters.
SPR will also host the second annual Bark in the Park on Sunday at Swope Soccer Village. Tickets for canine companions are $5 with proceeds benefiting the KC Pet Project and the first 300 fans into the stadium with their dogs will receive a free collapsible water/food bowl.
Game 19
Date: Sunday, July 30, 2017
Kickoff: 4 p.m. CT
Location: Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers: 12-4-2 (38 pts), 2nd in Western Conference
MLS Affiliate: Sporting Kansas City
Reno 1868 FC: 7-4-6 (27 pts), 5th in Western Conference
MLS Affiliate: San Jose Earthquakes
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Live Stream: The game will be broadcast on SportingKC.com and YouTube.com/USL
Talent: Carter Augustine (play-by-play), Sam Kovzan (analyst)
SOCIAL TAGS
Game-specific hashtag: #SPRvRNO
Swope Park Rangers
Twitter: @SwopeRangers
Instagram: @SwopeParkRangers
Reno 1868 FC
Twitter: @Reno1868FC
Instagram: @Reno1868FC
GAME NOTES
