The Swope Park Rangers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rio Grande Valley FC at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas on Saturday night. Todd Wharton scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute as SPR was shutout for the first time in seven games this season.
After a slow opening, Kevin Oliveira had the first shooting opportunity of the match in the 11th minute, but his strike flew straight into the arms of Borja Angoitia. Two minutes later, Jorginho James had RGV’s first effort on goal but Andrew Dykstra was there to make the save.
Rio Grande Valley found the breakthrough in the 18th minute when Eric Bird backheeled a ball straight into the path of Todd Wharton on the edge of the area, and the midfielder volleyed into the roof of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, which is how the score would remain at halftime.
Four minutes after the break, Lebo Moloto sent Kharlton Belmar clear and Angoitia smothered his first shot before his follow-up flew over the bar with several RGV players on the goalline.
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances until second-half stoppage time, as first Amer Didic volleyed a shot just wide from the top of the box before Dykstra produced an incredible double-save in the last play of the game to deny substitutes TJ Casner and Ruben Luna.
The Rangers’ record drops to 4-3-0 (12 pts.) and continues their record of winning every home game and losing every match on the road. SPR is currently in a tie for fifth place in the USL Western Conference.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers first have a bye next week before hosting a Friday matchup with San Antonio FC on May 26 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. Rio Grande Valley FC
May 13, 2017 – H-E-B Park (Edinburg, Texas)
Swope Park Rangers 0, Rio Grande Valley FC 1
Scoring Summary:
RGV – Todd Wharton 1 (Eric Bird 2) 18’
Misconduct Summary:
RGV – Eric Bird (Yellow Card) 84’
SPR – James Musa (Yellow Card) 84’
SPR – Liam Doyle (Yellow Card) 90’
RGV – Kai Greene (Yellow Card) 91+
Swope Park Rangers: Andrew Dykstra; Colton Storm, Amer Didic, Liam Doyle, Tyler Pasher (Parker Maher 46’); James Musa, Christian Duke ©, Kevin Oliveira (Mark Anthony Gonzalez 71’); Nansel Selbol (Robert Mirosavic 68’), Lebo Moloto, Kharlton Belmar.
Substitutes Not Used: David Greczek, Dakota Barnathan, Louis Bennett, Kuzain.
STATS: Shots 8, Shots on Goal 4, Corners 4, Fouls 11, Possession 58%
Rio Grande Valley FC: Borja Angoitia; Kai Greene, Taylor Hunter, Ivan Magalhaes, Dylan Remick; Charlie Ward ©, Jorginho James (Ruben Luna 72’), Emilio Garcia (TJ Casner 77’), Todd Wharton, Jose Escalante (Kyle Murphy 66’); Eric Bird.
Substitutes Not Used: Marco Carducci, Victor Garza, Robbie Sagel, Christian Lucatero.
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on Goal 5, Corners 2, Fouls 11, Possession 42%
Referee: Marco Vega
Assistant Referees: Julian Trevino and Jessus Cancino
Fourth Official: Carmelo Alvarez Jr.
Weather: Cloudy and 83 degrees
