The vision was seven years in the making, when an MLS coach from Kansas City first expressed the desire to bridge the development gap between his academy and senior teams. But for Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, the idea behind a USL affiliate was more than a feeder program.
“Winning has to be a part of the equation,” he said forcefully.
The Swope Park Rangers are one for one.
Swope Park, a United Soccer League club owned by Sporting Kansas City, won its inaugural league match Saturday with a 2-1 victory against Portland Timbers II in front of 6,812 fans at Children’s Mercy Park.