The Swope Park Rangers wrapped up their preseason with a 6-1 victory versus University of Missouri – Kansas City in a 120-minute match at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday, March 10.
In the 14th minute, Parker Maher sent a cross to Kharlton Belmar, but he was unable to head it in. However, the ball dropped to Sporting KC Academy product Will Little who volleyed the ball in the back of the net.
UMKC equalized in the 31st minute off an unfortunate own goal. Defender Amer Didic’s attempted back pass wrong-footed goalkeeper Eric Dick and trickled into the net.
Gianluca Busio gave the Rangers the lead in the 44th minute when he volleyed home Diego Rubio’s lay-off from 18 yards out, giving SPR a 2-1 lead at the end of the first 45-minute period.
The Rangers came out for the second half with energy and scored two goals in the opening 5 minutes. The first came in the 47th minute by another Academy product, Camilo Benitez, who steered the ball home from close range. Hadji Barry netted the second goal in the 50th minute when he burst past his man and found the corner, making the score 4-1.
The third period, which lasted 30 minutes, saw the Rangers tally another early goal, this time a beautiful strike from Will Little in the 92nd minute which extended the Rangers’ lead to 5-1.
In the 102nd minute, Barry met a cross from Little, but his shot skimmed the crossbar. Barry eventually notched his second goal of the match in the 106th minute when he fired beyond the UMKC ‘keeper.
The Rangers begin the 2018 USL season at Reno 1868 FC next Saturday, March 17 at 6 p.m. CT. The side returns to Kansas City for their home opener on Saturday, March 24 when the Rangers take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 at 7 p.m. CT at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium.
Swope Park Rangers vs. University of Missouri – Kansas City
March 10, 2018 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers 6, UMKC 1
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Will Little 14 ’
UMKC – Amer Didic (Own Goal) 31’
SPR – Gianluca Busio 44’
SPR – Camilo Benitez 47’
SPR – Hadji Barry 50’
SPR – Will Little 92’
SPR – Hadji Barry 106’
Misconduct Summary:
UMKC – Player X (Yellow Card) 22’
SPR – Matheus Silva (Yellow Card) 71’
UMKC – Player Y (Yellow Card) 110’
Swope Park Rangers:
First Period:
Eric Dick; Colton Storm, Amer Didic, Graham Smith, Parker Maher; Kuzain, Felipe Hernandez, Gianluca Busio; Will Little, Diego Rubio, Kharlton Belmar.
Second Period:
Eric Dick; Bryam Rebellon, Matt Lewis, JP Monticelli, Parker Maher (Dakota Barnathan 54’); Matheus Silva, Rodrigo Saravia, Chase Minter; Tyler Blackwood, Hadji Barry, Camilo Benitez (Will Little 77’).
Third Period:
Darrin MacLeod; Bryam Rebellon, Dakota Barnathan, Matt Lewis, JP Monticelli; Matheus Silva, Rodrigo Saravia, Chase Minter; Will Little, Hadji Barry, Tyler Blackwood.
