The Swope Park Rangers fell 1-0 to Louisville City FC on Monday in the 2017 USL Cup Final at Louisville Slugger Field on an 88th-minute goal from second-half substitute Cameron Lancaster.
The Rangers, appearing in the USL Cup Final for the second straight year since being established as an affiliate of Sporting KC for the 2016 season, again conclude their campaign with a runners-up finish on the road as home teams have now won all seven USL championships.
On a 45-degree night in downtown Louisville, Ky., SPR held the hosts to only a single shot on goal through 87 minutes before Lancaster directed a perfectly-placed header from the penalty spot past Adrian Zendejas on a cross from Devon Williams for the game’s decisive moment.