The Swope Park Rangers fell to their second straight defeat and second defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss at Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. First-half goals from Chandler Hoffman and James Moberg put the hosts ahead at the break before Kharlton Belmar cut the deficit early in the second half.
After an uneventful start, Hoffman gave the Monarchs the lead in the 19th minute when he turned home Max Lachowecki’s cutback from close range for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.
The Monarchs doubled their lead in the 36th minute when a free kick into the area was deflected by Real Salt Lake loanee Aaron Maund into the path of his center back partner Moberg, and his confidently volleyed into the top corner to make the halftime score 2-0.
The Rangers began the second period with a purpose and immediately pulled a goal back through Belmar. Colton Storm played a ball forward from the back and Maund could only help the ball on its way to Belmar who bore down on goal and finished clinically into the bottom corner. The goal put Belmar back into the team-lead with three goals in five games this season.
Sebastian Velasquez almost restored the Monarchs’ two-goal lead in the 59th minute, but could only prod narrowly wide when through on goal. Eight minutes later, Kevin Oliveira found Lebo Moloto 25 yards out and his strike flew inches wide.
Goalkeeper David Greczek made a crucial save in the 88th minute to deny Andrew Brody’s close-range attempt, setting the stage for a final push from the Rangers.
In the 91st minute the Rangers had a goal disallowed when Iwasa fired into the top corner only for the referee to pull the goal back for offside. Two minutes later, substitute Nansel Selbol skipped around his man on the right and floated a cross to the back post where Amer Didic stabbed it on frame, but Connor Sparrow clawed the ball away from inside his goalmouth as the game ended 2-1.
With the defeat, the Rangers drop to 3-2-0 with all three wins coming at home and both defeats coming on the road.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers head home for a showdown with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 next Friday, May 5 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and the match will be streamed live on SportingKC.com and in-game updates will be available through the team’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Real Monarchs SLC
April 29, 2017 – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
Swope Park Rangers 1, Real Monarchs SLC 2
Scoring Summary:
SLC – Chandler Hoffman 4 (Max Lachowecki 1) 19’
SLC – James Moberg 2 (Aaron Maund 1) 36’
SPR – Kharlton Belmar 3 (Unassisted) 48’
Misconduct Summary:
SPR – James Musa (Yellow Card) 7’
SPR – Amer Didic (Yellow Card) 14’
SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (Yellow Card) 23’
SPR – Kevin Oliveira (Yellow Card) 46+
SPR – Kharlton Belmar (Yellow Card) 49’
SPR – Christian Duke (Yellow Card) 82’
SLC – Ricardo Velazco (Yellow Card) 84’
Swope Park Rangers: David Greczek; Colton Storm, Erik Palmer-Brown, Amer Didic, Tyler Pasher (Parker Maher 46’); James Musa, Christian Duke ©, Lebo Moloto (Felipe Hernandez 70’); Kharlton Belmar, Kevin Oliveira (Nansel Selbol 82’), Cameron Iwasa.
Substitutes Not Used: Darrin MacLeod, Dakota Barnathan, Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, Robert Mirosavic.
STATS: Shots 13, Shots on Goal 4, Corners 5, Fouls 16, Possession 66%
Real Monarchs SLC: Connor Sparrow; Kyle Curinga, Aaron Maund (Michael Gallagher 61’), James Moberg, Max Lochowecki; Jesus Leal (Taylor Peay 70’), Andrew Brody, Nick Besler ©, Sebastian Velasquez (Daniel Haber 79’), Ricardo Velazco; Chandler Hoffman.
Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Putna, Karsten Hanlin, Chase Minter, Jonel Desire.
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on Goal 5, Corners 3, Fouls 14, Possession 34%
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki and Allen Pickett
Fourth Official: Josh Weibel
Weather: Sunny and 57 degrees
