The Swope Park Rangers claimed a 2-1 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday night at Swope Soccer Village to halt the club’s four-game winless streak. Two second-half strikes from winger Tyler Pasher made the difference for SPR, while Sammy Ochoa scored his fifth goal of the season for Tulsa.
The Rangers (3-3-1, 10 pts.) began the game with a purpose, threatening through Daniel Salloi and Tomas Granitto in the early stages. Salloi went close again in the 28th minute when his left-footed strike was tipped over the bar by Jake Feener, before the Roughnecks (2-6-1, 7 pts.) created their first opportunity of note a minute later, but Gus Villalobos fired over after getting behind the SPR defense.
The chances kept coming for the Rangers during the remainder of the first half, with Tommy Meyer, Pasher, Salloi and Kris Tyrpak all going close before the break, but it remained goalless at halftime.
Two minutes into the second half, the Rangers finally found their go-ahead goal. Salloi turned in the midfield and fed a through ball out to Pasher who sped away from his marker and chipped a finish over Feener and into the back of the net to make the score 1-0 in the 47th minute.
Amer Didic, who was making his first start for the club, thought he’d put his side two goals up in the 53rd minute, but his thunderous half-volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar was pulled back for offside. Fifteen minutes later, Didic again threatened when his header from a corner was cleared off the line by Henri.
With the Rangers searching for a second goal, Tulsa found an equalizer against the run of play in the 79th minute through Sammy Ochoa. After a set piece was cleared, Brady Ballew headed the ball back into the mix and Ochoa was first on the scene to make the score 1-1, smashing the ball beyond SPR goalkeeper Zac Lubin for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
The score wouldn’t stay level for long, with Pasher notching his second of the game two minutes later. Kevin Oliveira sent the ball down the left channel for Salloi to chase, and the 19-year-old forward cut inside his man and saw his effort parried by Feener, but Pasher was first to the rebound and tapped home his second goal of the season to make the score 2-1.
The final few minutes were hectic, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. Lubin made excellent stops to deny Jasson Ramos Carpio and Anthony Peters, while at the other end, substitute Nansel Selbol broke through one-on-one with Feener, but took too many touches and saw his effort saved as the game finished 2-1 in favor of the Rangers.
Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf
- Tyler Pasher – Scored his first two goals for the club and was a constant menace to the Tulsa defense with his runs in behind and skill on the ball.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers are back in action next Saturday, May 21 when they travel to face fellow expansion side Rio Grande Valley FC at UTRGV Soccer and Track Complex in Edinburg, Texas. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will be available via live stream on SportingKC.com.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
May 14, 2016 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers 2, Tulsa Roughnecks FC 1
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Tyler Pasher 1 (Daniel Salloi 3) 47’
TUL – Sammy Ochoa 5 (Brady Ballew 1) 79’
SPR – Tyler Pasher 2 (Unassisted) 81’
Misconduct Summary:
TUL – Matt Whatley (Yellow Card) 81’
Swope Park Rangers: Zac Lubin; Jimmy Mulligan, Tommy Meyer, Amer Didic, Christian Duke ©; Ualefi, Tomas Granitto, Kevin Oliveira (Nansel Selbol 84’); Kris Tyrpak (Johnny Grant 72’), Daniel Salloi (Jacob VanCompernolle 90+), Tyler Pasher (Ezra Armstrong 90+).
Substitutes Not Used: Jon Kempin.
STATS: Shots 14, Shots on Goal 8, Corners 9, Fouls 10
Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Jake Feener; David Abidor, Matt Whatley, Anthony Peters, Gary Cennerazzo; Adriano Pellegrino (Kaleem 46’), Henri (Jasson Ramos Carpio 74’), Ballobi (Taylor Morgan 60’), Kyle MacLeod (Brady Ballew 52’); Gus Villalobos, Sammy Ochoa ©.
Substitutes Not Used: Alex Mangels, Mason Grimes.
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on Goal 5, Corners 1, Fouls 19
Referee: Michael Lavergne
Assistant Referees: Ryan Cook and Shane Kennard
Fourth Official: Ricardo Gutierrez
Attendance: 1,163
Weather: Clear and 59 degrees
