The Swope Park Rangers suffered their first defeat of the 2016 USL season with a 1-0 defeat to OKC Energy FC on Saturday night. Kalen Ryden scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute to guide the Energy to victory as concluded their three-game road swing with a win, a draw and a loss.
The Rangers (2-1-1, 7 pts.) spent the opening exchanges feeling out their opposition, with the pace of the game suffering as a result. OKC (1-1-1, 4 pts.) created the first chance of note in the 18th minute, when FC Dallas loanee Coy Craft got on the end of a cross from Sebastian Dalgaard at the back post, but his finish from a tight angle crashed off the post and out.
Tomas Granitto and Nansel Selbol each saw efforts fly off target as the half wore on before Craft again went close for the Energy, but his chipped effort just before halftime clipped the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick.
OKC pushed hard for the go-ahead goal in the second half, with SPR goalkeeper Jon Kempin called into action to make four saves in the second period. First, Kempin dove to his left to parry away a goal-bound free kick from Jose Cuevas in the 54th minute, before denying Danni Konig with his feet 12 minutes later.
The Rangers almost pulled ahead in the 70th minute when a corner was cleared and fell to Kevin Oliveira, but the midfielder’s powerful strike from distance did not dip in time and flew just over the bar.
In the 79th minute, Kalen Ryden scored his first goal for OKC to put his side into a 1-0 lead. Dalgaard floated in a deep cross from the right and an unmarked Ryden placed his header back across Kempin and into the bottom corner.
SPR went in search for an equalizing goal in the final 10 minutes and created two chances, but Kris Tyrpak’s attempt from close range was deflected off the line by Cyprian Hedrick and Daniel Salloi could only bounce his finish over the bar when well placed inside the area.
Kempin made two further diving saves to deny Peter Toth and Jordan Rideout as the clock ticked down and the Rangers suffered their first defeat of the season.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers will head back to Kansas City for their first game at Swope Soccer Village against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Wednesday, April 27. That game will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and will be live streamed on SportingKC.com. Gameday festivities will include $1 hot dogs, complimentary coffee and a commemorative poster series.
Swope Park Rangers vs. OKC Energy FC
April 23, 2016 – Taft Stadium (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Swope Park Rangers 0, OKC Energy FC 1
Scoring Summary:
OKC – Kalen Ryden 1 (Sebastian Dalgaard 1) 79’
Misconduct Summary:
SPR – Christian Duke (Yellow Card) 36’
SPR – Nansel Selbol (Yellow Card) 63’
SPR – Kevin Oliveira (Yellow Card) 82’
Swope Park Rangers: Jon Kempin; Jimmy Mulligan, Tommy Meyer, Jacob VanCompernolle (Will Little 84’), Christian Duke ©; Ualefi, Tomas Granitto (Amer Didic 76’), Kevin Oliveira; Nansel Selbol (Kris Tyrpak 66’), Mark Anthony Gonzalez (Daniel Salloi 82’), Tyler Pasher.
Substitutes Not Used: Zac Lubin, Oumar Ballo, Johnny Grant.
STATS: Shots 10, Shots on Goal 3, Corners 3, Fouls 14
OKC Energy FC: Carl Cochran; Michael Thomas ©, Coady Andrews, Cyprian Hedrick, Kalen Ryden; Luis Martinez, Michael Byskov (Michael Harris 75’); Coy Craft (Daniel Jackson 81’ (Jordan Rideout 90+)), Jose Cuevas (Peter Toth 73’), Sebastian Dalgaard; Danni Konig.
Substitutes Not Used: Jacob Lissek, Evans Frimpong.
STATS: Shots 15, Shots on Goal 6, Corners 4, Fouls 8
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistant Referees: Tony Obas and Joel McKell
Fourth Official: Eric Bares
Attendance: 5,690
Weather: Clear and 77 degrees
