Considering that there are 29 teams now in the United Soccer League (USL) it has to be said that the Swope Park Rangers had one of the great first seasons in league history. Sure the Sacramento Republic won the USL Championship in their first year of existence but they did it when there were only 14 teams in the league. Making it to the title game when the league has since more than doubled is quite the achievement.
The Rangers will have lots to overcome this year including the loss of their head coach, Marc Dos Santos, who moved on to another expansion team (the San Francisco Deltas of the NASL).