Rising’s Riggi tries to evade an Erik Palmer-Brown tackle in our April 23 game.

Image: Michael Rincon (Creative Commons)

 

• Swope Park Rangers are particularly formidable at home, winning 11 and losing only 2 of their 16 games at Swope Soccer Village this season.
• They have failed to record a win either at home or on the road, against only 3 USL Western Conference teams in 2017: Monarchs (1 draw/tie, 1 loss); Rising (1 draw/tie, 1 loss); and Reno (2 losses).
• Swope Park’s captain, Christian Duke, is a key player. In fact, he’s featured in every minute of their 2017 USL season, and managed 7 assists. The 26 year old was first drafted by Sporting Kansas City, but failed to make an appearance for the club. After a season with Oklahoma City, he returned to Kansas last year to play for Rangers in the USL.

• Swope Park have failed to score in 5 league games this season, including 3 consecutive games back in late May/early June.
• They are twice as likely to score in the second half as the first.  Five of their 55 goals this season have been scored in second half stoppage time.
• Swope Park incredibly managed to score twice in 56 seconds against Colorado Springs Switchbacks on September 23.  Not content with that quick-fire salvo, they also netted for a third time within another two minutes!
• Averaging more than 2 goals a game throughout September and October, Swope Park destroyed fellow playoff contender San Antonio 5-2 at Swope Soccer Village last month.
• Kharlton Belmar is Swope Park’s biggest attacking threat, with 14 goals to his name.  The 24 year old, who was originally drafted by Portland Timbers in 2015, has even appeared for the first team, Sporting Kansas City, this season.  All 14 of Belmar’s goals have been scored from inside the penalty box.
• Another important forward is Lebo Moloto. So far, he’s created 45 chances in 29 appearances, the most on the side. The South African, who initially moved to the U.S. for education purposes, has scored 7 goals this season – all with his right foot.

• Swope Park have managed 11 regular season shutouts in 2017.  Five of those shutouts occurred at Swope Soccer Village, and six on the road.
• They are most likely to concede between the 16^th and 30^th minutes of the first half, or in the last 15 minutes of the second half.