The Swope Park Rangers (7-3-4, 25 points) defeated Western Conference leaders Real Monarchs SLC (10-3-1, 31 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday night. Real Monarchs allowed three goals tonight when, in their previous five matches, they had only allowed one combined.
In the 15th minute Real Monarchs had a close chance on goal, but Sporting KC loanee Amer Didic was there to kick the ball away from danger. Didic then tried to make a play in the box in the 18th minute and a penalty was awarded to the Monarchs. Chandler Hoffman would take the kick and score on the penalty, helping his team to an early 1-0 lead.
Sporting KC loanee Colton Storm would provide the equalizer in the 22nd minute. Hadji Barry stuck with the ball and make multiple attempts on goal without any luck, but Storm was there to find the goal from close range.
Tyler Blackwood weaved past two defenders in the 32nd minute, but Real Monarchs goalie Connor Sparrow would get a touch on the ball and the shot caromed off the left post. Sporting KC Academy product Roman Knox had a great diagonal ball to Barry in the Hadji Barry in the 41st minute, but Barry’s shot ended up in the hands of Sparrow.
In the 57th minute, Matheus Silva unleashed a rocket from well outside the box that sailed past Sparrow and into the bottom left corner, giving the Rangers a 2-1 advantage.
Chase Minter had a great run and through ball to Blackwood, but Real Monarchs would get a foot on it and break up the chance in the 67th minute. Minter then almost found the back of the net off a cross from Blackwood in the 76th minute, but he slipped inside the box and was unable to complete his touch.
Blackwood would score in the 79th minute from a left-footed shot from the left side of the box after another attempt that left the Monarchs goalkeeper face down on the ground. That gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead.
SPR goalkeeper Eric Dick made a wonderful diving snag in the 80th minute to keep the Rangers ahead by tow. In the 83rd minute, Hoffman would take a left-footed shot from the center of the box and slip it past Dick to close the gap. It would not be enough, however, and the Rangers prevailed 3-2.
The Rangers have a quick turnaround this week as they head to play Fresno FC (3-5-7, 16 points) on Sunday, June 17 at 8 p.m. CT. This will be the Rangers’ third game in three different time zones over the last nine days. The Rangers will return home on Sunday, June 24 at p.m. CT to face Las Vegas Lights FC at Children’s Mercy Park.
Swope Park Rangers vs Real Monarchs SLC
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – Children’s Mercy Park
Swope Park Rangers 3, Real Monarchs SLC 1
Scoring Summary:
SLC – Chandler Hoffman 4 (penalty kick) – 19’
SPR – Colton Storm 2 (unassisted) - 22’
SPR – Matheus Silva 1 (unassisted) – 57’
SPR – Tyler Blackwood 2 (unassisted) – 79’
SLC – Chandler Hoffman 5 (Maikel Chang 6) – 83’
Misconduct Summary:
SPR- Chase Minter (Yellow Card) – 29’
SPR – Matheus Silva (Yellow Card) – 44’
SLC – Pablo Ruiz (Yellow Card) – 45’
Swope Park Rangers:
Eric Dick; Parker Maher, Amer Didic ©, Matt Lewis, Colton Storm (Bryam Rebellon 83’); Matheus Silva, Roman Knox, Felipe Hernandez; Chase Minter (Wilson Harris 81’), Hadji Barry, Tyler Blackwood (Will Little 90+’).
