The purpose of the Swope Park Rangers was meticulously presented during a launch party last October. The plan called for the Rangers to serve as a development team for Sporting Kansas City, a way to bridge the gap between youth academy clubs and the MLS franchise.
But as the Rangers met for their inaugural training camp in February in Tucson, Ariz., players and coaches laid out a grander vision.
“From the get-go, our goal has been to stand out as a group — to win games ourselves,” Swope Park defender Oumar Ballo said. “We really put an emphasis on making the playoffs.