The Swope Park Rangers (2-1-0, 6 points) fell 2-1 to USL expansion team Las Vegas Lights FC (2-0-1, 7 points) in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Rangers dominated the majority of the game, but an own goal in the 71st minute was the decider of the night.
The match began quickly with a chance for Las Vegas in the seventh minute, but the shot from the left side of the box sailed to the right of the far post.
The ninth minute brought a great opportunity from Tyler Blackwood, but he was run off target by a few Lights defenders and was unable to make an attempt on goal.
SPR captain Rodrigo Saravia put the Rangers on the board first with a missile from the top of the box in the 18th minute to give SPR an early 1-0 advantage over Las Vegas.
The Rangers had a couple more chances in the first half. Blackwood, making his SPR debut, had a great run in the 29th minute, but Las Vegas goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino came far outside the box to make the tackle. In the 31st minute, SPR's all-time leading scorer, Kharlton Belmar, headed a cross from Sporting KC Academy product Felipe Hernandez just to the right of the post.
SPR returned to the pitch after half with a 1-0 lead and Blackwood had a great chance outside the box in the 47th minute, but was swarmed by multiple Lights defenders and was unable to get off his shot.
Carlos Alvarez netted one past Eric Dick in the 53rd minute to put Las Vegas on the board and knot the score at 1-1.
Hadji Barry nearly capitalized on a great ball, but the Lights FC goalkeeper was there to punch it away in the 67th minute.
The match turned in the 71st minute when miscommunication between Colton Storm and Dick resulted in an own goal by Storm. Las Vegas would take a 2-1 lead to complete the comeback.
Barry came close to equalizing the game in the 77th minute, but his shot would skim the crossbar and sail away.
SPR ends the night with a 2-1 loss as Las Vegas claims their first team victory at home. The Rangers have a quick turnaround and return home to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (1-2-0, 3 points) on Wednesday, April 4 at Children’s Mercy Park at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Swope Park Rangers vs Las Vegas Lights FC
March 31, 2018 – Cashman Field (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Swope Park Rangers 1, Las Vegas Lights FC 2
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Rodrigo Saravia 2 (unassisted) – 18’
LV – Carlos Alvarez 1 (unassisted) – 53’
LV – Own Goal (Colton Storm) – 71’
Misconduct Summary:
LV – Samuel Ochoa (Yellow Card) 32’
LV – Joel Huiqui (Yellow Card) 36’
SPR – Rodrigo Saravia (Yellow Card) 76’
LV – Miguel Angel Garduno (Yellow Card) 81’
LV – Ricardo Ferrino (Yellow Card) 95+
Swope Park Rangers: Eric Dick; Colton Storm (Bryam Rebellon 77’), Cristian Lobato, Graham Smith, Emiliano Amor; Wan Kuzain Wan Kumal, Felipe Hernandez (Chase Minter 75’), Rodrigo Saravia ©; Hadji Barry, Tyler Blackwood, Kharlton Belmar.
