Sporting Kansas City’s well-deserved 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round had a distinct Swope Park Rangers flavor to it.
Ten players in the matchday 18 — including eight starters — had made at least one appearance for SPR this season.
Three of those 10 have played integral roles for the USL side while patiently waiting for their first-team opportunities. On Wednesday, that trio was given the chance to lift Sporting KC past a hated Western Conference rival in a knockout-style showdown at Rio Tinto Stadium.