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Sporting Kansas City II

Preview: Swope Park Rangers vs. San Antonio FC

August 30, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release


The Swope Park Rangers are back in action on Wednesday, Aug. 31 when the side hosts San Antonio FC at Swope Soccer Village. Wednesday's game, which is presented by the Center for Sports Medicine at Children's Mercy, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT with a live stream available on SportingKC.com and tickets available via 157bd67003ae04d0f302ed4f0 Ticketmaster.

The Rangers head into the matchup holding a 9-9-6 (33 pts.) record and sit one point and one place behind San Antonio FC - who are in the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. SPR are in the midst of a five-game homestand, having played to a 1-1 draw with Saint Louis FC at Children's Mercy Park on Aug. 21 before topping LA Galaxy II 2-1 on Saturday at Swope Soccer Village.

In Saturday's matchup with LA Galaxy II, the Rangers fell behind early when Bradford Jamieson IV found the net in the second minute. SPR responded well and found the equalizer in the 16th minute when club captain Christian Duke headed into the corner to notch his first goal for the club. Ayrton recorded his fourth assist on the goal, placing him in a tie for the team lead.

Nine minutes later, Mark Anthony Gonzalez headed home former LA Galaxy defender Tommy Meyer's cross for his team-leading eighth goal of the season to give the Rangers a 2-1 victory.

San Antonio FC have gone 9-8-7 (34 pts.) this season and are currently on a three-game winning streak. After posting home wins over Arizona United SC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Aug. 17 and Aug. 20, respectively, San Antonio topped Saint Louis FC 2-0 on the road on Saturday - taking their record to 3-1-1 since the side last faced SPR on July 30.

In their last outing, San Antonio FC earned a 2-0 victory over Saint Louis FC at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. A 12th-minute strike from Sebastien Thuriere put San Antonio ahead before Rafael Castillo's chip just before the halftime interval doubled the side's lead. Both goalscorers will be unavailable on Wednesday, with Thuriere on national team duty with Haiti and Castillo suspended.

San Antonio goalkeeper Matt Cardone made seven saves in the game - including a stop on Irvin Herrera' 94th-minute penalty - and was named USL Player of the Week.

The Rangers and San Antonio have met twice this season, playing to a 1-1 draw in SAFC's inaugural home game at Toyota Field on April 9, before goals from Dane Kelly and Mark Anthony Gonzalez saw the Rangers take a 2-1 win at Swope Soccer Village on July 30.

Wednesday's game is presented by the Center for Sports Medicine at Children's Mercy and fans in attendance will be able to purchase $1 hot dogs and get their hands on the latest installment of the commemorative poster series.

Game 25 Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CT Location: Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)

Swope Park Rangers: 9-9-6, 33 pts. 9th in Western Conference.

San Antonio FC: 9-8-7, 34 pts. T-7th in Western Conference.

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