The Swope Park Rangers advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals of the USL Cup Playoffs with a 3-0 victory over LA Galaxy II at Swope Soccer Village on Friday night. Kris Tyrpak put the Rangers ahead before Mark Anthony Gonzalez tallied twice in stoppage time. SPR will face the winner of tomorrow’s Sacramento Republic FC vs. Orange County Blues FC showdown.
It was the Rangers who created the early opportunities, with Ever Alvarado’s cross-shot almost catching out Clement Diop in the LA goal before captain Christian Duke was unable to turn home Dane Kelly’s powerful cross.
As Alvarado and Adonis Amaya chased down a loose ball in the ninth minute, the LA forward swung his arm into the back of Alvarado’s head and earned himself the first of five bookings for LA in the contest – while the Rangers were not cautioned once.