Ahead of the 2016 USL Cup Final, Presented by Nike, we’re taking a look at the road of the two finalists to their first visit to the championship game. Tune in this Sunday on ESPNU, the WatchESPN app, or SiriusXM FC 85 as the New York Red Bulls II host the Swope Park Rangers at 8 p.m. ET.

Swope Park Rangers vs. Portland Timbers 2
March 26, 2016 – Children’s Mercy Sporting Park

With a cool, fan-selected name, an experienced coach and a strong-looking roster, there was a sense of anticipation as the Swope Park Rangers took to the field for the first time in the USL regular season as 6,812 fans were in attendance at Children’s Mercy Sporting Park to see the side take on the Portland Timbers 2.

The fans were met by a strong first showing from the side, as goals by Kevin Oliveira and Daniel Salloi got the Rangers off to a winning start to their history with a 2-1 victory against T2.

Swope Park got off to a flying start, and had chances throughout the first half. Dane Kelly had a fourth-minute shot saved, while he, Jimmy Medranda and Kris Tyrpak all had chances to give the hosts the lead as they outshot T2 9-1 before the break, but the game remained scoreless.

That changed three minutes into the second half, when Kelly was brought down in the penalty area. Oliveira stepped up, and notched the first goal in Rangers history with his shot from the spot. The goal spurred T2 into life, and Swope Park goalkeeper Jon Kempin pulled off a big double-save to keep his side ahead two minutes after it had taken the lead, Taylor Peay’s redirection of a free kick leading to a scramble in the area that Kempin was able to thwart.

The Rangers regained control of the game, and added a second goal just as the game moved into stoppage time on a classic counter-attacking move. Salloi’s pass sent Mark Anthony Gonzalez in behind the Portland defense, and the return pass found Salloi for a first-time finish for his first professional goal. The tally proved necessary as Portland grabbed a goal back late in stoppage time through Nick Besler, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Swope Park from getting its inaugural season off to a good start.