The Swope Park Rangers (6-3-4, 22 points) took all three points against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (5-8-2, 17 points) at Weidner Field on Saturday night. Hadji Barry would have the winning goal in the 40th minute.
Chase Minter had a great chance early in the seventh minute, but Switchbacks goaltender Steward Ceus was there to make the stop. A Colorado Springs tackle would break up a great running chance from Tyler Blackwood in the 17th minute.
In the 21st minute, Eric Dick took a chance and came far outside the box leaving the goal open, however Switchbacks’ Shane Malcolm missed the mark completely and sailed it to the right of the post.
Sporting KC loanee Amer Didic stopped an attempt from the Switchbacks and headed the ball away in the 29th minute. Didic had a shot on goal in the 37th minute from long range, but Ceus was there to make the catch.
Barry beat the goalie in the 40th minute for a beautiful unassisted goal, propelling the Rangers to a 1-0 lead. This would make Barry’s fifth goal on the season.
In the 46th minute, Didic took a header following a corner kick, but it would bounce off the top of the net. Barry had a beautiful chance in the 55th minute to solidify a second goal on the night, but Ceus was there to make a diving catch to nab it out of the air. Blackwood’s opportunity in the 59th minute would be scooped up by Switchbacks goalkeeper.
Dick would make a great diving tackle in the 64th minute to break up a play inside the box. Dick would then make two spectacular saves back-to-back in the 72nd minute, keeping the Switchbacks from evening the score.
The Rangers will return home on Wednesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. to face Real Monarchs at Children’s Mercy Park.
Notable Moment:
Sporting KC Academy product Roman Knox made his first professional start in tonight’s match at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Knox made his professional debut on June 2 when he subbed on for Matheus Silva in the 67th minute at St. Louis FC. Knox was one of five Sporting Kansas City Academy products to play for SPR on Saturday.
Dick would end the night with a clean sheet, his second of the season. Dick had four saves in the 1-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Swope Park Rangers vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
June 9, 2018 – Weidner Field
Swope Park Rangers 1, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 0
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Hadji Barry 5 (unassisted) – 40’
Swope Park Rangers:
Eric Dick; Dakota Barnathan (Matthew Lewis 69’), Graham Smith, Amer Didic ©, Parker Maher; Matheus Silva, Roman Knox, Felipe Hernandez; Hadji Barry (Sean Karani 90’), Tyler Blackwood (Will Little 78’), Chase Minter.
