The Swope Park Rangers cruised to a 4-0 victory over Rio Grande Valley FC at Swope Soccer Village on Wednesday night. Two first-half strikes from Mark Anthony Gonzalez and a goal from Kevin Oliveira, who ended the game with one goal and three assists on his 20th birthday, put SPR into a 3-0 lead at halftime. Daniel Salloi scored 22 seconds after entering the game in the second half to seal the three points.
The Rangers (4-5-2, 14 pts.) came out of the gates strong and went close through Nansel Selbol, Oliveira and Gonzalez in the opening 20 minutes. In the 23rd minute, SPR found the breakthrough. After neat build-up play between Selbol and Oliveira, the latter forced the ball through to Gonzalez who finished high beyond Calle Brown in the RGV (5-3-4, 19 pts.) goal to make the score 1-0.
Gonzalez doubled the lead with his third goal in two games just four minutes later. Oliveira sprinted away from his marker on the break and slid a through ball between the RGV center backs toward Gonzalez, who cut inside his man and found the near post.
After providing the assists on Gonzalez’s goals, Oliveira got himself on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute. Ualefi won the ball deep in RGV territory and fed Oliveira inside the box, and the former Benfica B midfielder made no mistake, finding the corner to make the halftime score 3-0.
The Rangers continued their dominance in the second half, with Selbol twice going close early on after the break. In the 70th minute, Salloi scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season just 22 seconds after entering the game as a substitute. Oliveira was again the creator, adding his league-leading fourth assist of the season when his pass found the 19-year-old Hungarian who knocked the ball home to make the final score 4-0.
Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf
- Kevin Oliveira – Was involved in all four goals on the night, notching one goal and three assists while celebrating his 20th birthday. Became the first player in the three professional U.S. leagues (MLS, NASL & USL) to record three assists in one game this season.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers are back on the road this weekend when they head north of the border to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium on Sunday, June 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT and will be available via live stream on SportingKC.com.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
June 8, 2016 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers 4, Rio Grande Valley FC 0
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Mark Anthony Gonzalez 2 (Kevin Oliveira 2) 23’
SPR – Mark Anthony Gonzalez 3 (Kevin Oliveira 3) 27’
SPR – Kevin Oliveira 3 (Ualefi 1) 43’
SPR – Daniel Salloi 4 (Kevin Oliveira 4) 70’
Misconduct Summary:
None
Swope Park Rangers: Alec Kann; Jimmy Mulligan, Tommy Meyer, Amer Didic, Tyler Pasher; Ualefi, Tomas Granitto (Ayrton 72’), Kevin Oliveira (Oumar Ballo 86’); Nansel Selbol (Kris Tyrpak 68’), Mark Anthony Gonzalez (Daniel Salloi 69’), Christian Duke © (Johnny Grant 80’).
Substitutes Not Used: Jon Kempin, Jacob VanCompernolle.
STATS: Shots 16, Shots on Goal 8, Corners 4, Fouls 9
Rio Grande Valley FC: Calle Brown; Kai Greene, Sebastien Ibeagha (Kevin Garcia 46’), Ivan Magalhaes, Bradley Bourgeois (George Malki 46’); Charlie Ward ©, Emilio Garcia (Eric Bird 63’), Zach Steinberger (Memo Rordriguez 46’); TJ Casner, Kyle Murphy, Jose Escalante (Christian Lucatero 68’).
Substitutes Not Used: Callum Irving, Taylor Hunter.
STATS: Shots 4, Shots on Goal 0, Corners 3, Fouls 6
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins and Royce Vanroekel
Fourth Official: Robert Sorey
Attendance: 926
Weather: Clear and 88 degrees
