The Swope Park Rangers earned a 3-1 win over MLS opponent the Colorado Rapids in the club’s first-ever game on Wednesday night. The Rangers will continue their preseason schedule and Desert Diamond Cup campaign when they face Arizona United SC on Saturday.
The Rangers got off to a perfect start when, in the first minute, Christian Duke sent a long ball into the left channel for Dane Kelly, who dribbled at his man and picked out Kris Tyrpak in the middle to finish into the bottom corner (watch).
In the 19th minute, the Rapids won a free kick down the right wing and Dillon Powers swung the ball to the back post where Dominique Badji headed in from close range to tie the game at 1-1.
PHOTO GALLERY: #SPRvCOL
After wholesale changes from both sides at halftime, Colorado were the first to threaten when Stephen Keel headed over the bar following a corner kick in the 54th minute.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Rangers were back in front. Will Little, an Academy player who had only been on the field for four minutes, dribbled at his man on the right wing and crossed for Alberto Sanchez who finished with an impudent back heel (watch).
The Rangers sealed the win in the final minute of regulation time, when Little received the ball in the Colorado half and rifled a shot from 25 yards into the top corner with his weaker left foot to make the final score 3-1.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Colorado Rapids
February 17, 2016 – Kino Sports Complex North Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
Swope Park Rangers 3, Colorado Rapids 1
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Kris Tyrpak (Dane Kelly) 1’
COL – Dominique Badji (Dillon Powers) 19’
SPR – Alberto Sanchez (Will Little) 63’
SPR – Will Little (Jimmy Mulligan) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
SPR – Jacob VanCompernolle (Yellow Card) 18’
COL – Jared Watts (Yellow Card) 44’
Swope Park Rangers:
First Half: Jon Kempin; Johnny Grant, Oumar Ballo, Jacob VanCompernolle, Christian Duke; Jimmy Medranda, Ualefi, Alex Molano; Kris Tyrpak, Dane Kelly, Tyler Pasher.
Second Half: Zac Lubin; Jimmy Mulligan, Hakim Diaw, Amer Didic, Christian Duke (Ezra Armstrong 59’); Mouhamed Dabo, Tomas Granitto, Jimmy Medranda (Will Little 59’); Nansel Selbol, Alberto Sanchez (Mark Anthony Gonzalez 80’), Ryan James.
Colorado Rapids:
First Half: Zac MacMath; Marlon Hairston, Bobby Burling, Axel Sjoberg, Mekeil Williams (Marc Burch 41’); Jared Watts, Michael Azira, Dillon Powers; Dominique Badji, Luis Solignac, Kevin Doyle.
Second Half: Chris Froschauer; Dennis Castillo, Stephen Keel, AJ Cochran, Marc Burch; Sam Cronin, Emmanuel Appiah; Dillon Serna, Conor Doyle, Zach Pfeffer; Caleb Calvert.
Referee: Baboucarr Jallow
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson and Brandon Marshall
Fourth Official: Jason Ulrich
Weather: Clear and 85 degrees
