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USL Cup Final Matchup – Goalkeeper

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 10/19/16, 5:19PM EDT

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Two of the league’s top goalkeepers square off with the title on the line

Two goalkeepers who have played a major role in their clubs' arrivals at the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs, Presented by Nike, will likely be between the sticks this weekend as the New York Red Bulls II’s Ryan Meara and Swope Park Rangers’ Adrian Zendejas prepare to square off for the championship.

Both players have had outstanding seasons, with Meara finishing the regular season second in the USL in goals-against average. Zendejas would have also been in the running for the USL Golden Glove, too, had he been with the Rangers for the full season, but the young Californian has had a major impact on the Rangers’ outstanding late-season run toward the championship since his arrival from Club Tijuana.

2016 USL Cup Final Matchup – Goalkeepers

Ryan Meara
New York Red Bulls II

A former PDL All-League selection for the Jersey Express, the 25-year-old local standout has provided a steady hand behind the young back four the Red Bulls II have utilized throughout the season. Meara finished the regular season with a 0.79 goals-against average, and then came up big in the Eastern Conference Final against Louisville City FC where he made two saves in a penalty shootout to send New York on to its first USL Cup Final.

Adrian Zendejas
Swope Park Rangers

Zendejas arrived midseason with the Rangers, and since making his debut for the side on August 27 against the LA Galaxy II, he has been outstanding for Coach Marc Dos Santos’ side. Zendejas conceded only twice in five regular-season appearances for the Rangers, and has continued to excel in the postseason, recording two shutouts in three games while posting a save percentage of .875 and a goals-against average of 0.30. The 22-year-old has benefited from a strong center back partnership in front of him between Amer Didic and Oumar Ballo, but has come up big when required.

Which goalkeeper will come up with a big performance on Sunday night in the 2016 USL Cup Final?

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