Forward Kharlton Belmar was named USL Player of the Week today after propelling the Rangers to a season-opening 4-3 victory at Reno 1868 FC on Saturday.
On loan from Sporting Kansas City, Belmar exploded for two goals and two assists — including the game-winning strike in the 92nd minute — as SPR prevailed in a snowy thriller at Greater Nevada Field. Belmar garnered a whopping 88 percent of the Player of the Week poll, conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market.
The Rangers scored all four goals during a pulsating second half on Saturday, drawing level in the 51st minute when Belmar's impudent rabona pass set up on-loan striker Diego Rubio for SPR's first goal of the 2018 campaign. Belmar fired his side ahead six minutes later, then restored the Rangers' lead at 3-2 with an assist to fellow forward Hadji Barry in the 83rd minute.
Just when Reno had appeared to salvage a point with an 89th-minute equalizer, Belmar slotted home in the 92nd minute to give the Rangers all three points in a wild Week 1 encounter.
Barry, who marked his SPR debut with a goal and two assists, was selected to the USL Team of the Week bench.
Led by first-year head coach and former Sporting KC midfielder Paulo Nagamura, the Rangers will now prepare for their first home match at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas, where they will face Seattle Sounders FC 2 in a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday. Tickets for the game, starting at just $9, are on sale now via SeatGeek.com.
Ahead of Saturday's home opener, SPR will host the Rangers Kickoff Party from 6-8 p.m. CT on Thursday at Fox & Hound in Overland Park (10428 Metcalf Ave.). The free event is open to fans of all ages, featuring food and drink specials, meet-and-greets with players and coaches, interactive games and the opportunity to buy the Rangers' new secondary jersey.
USL Team of the Week
GK – Jake Fenlason, Saint Louis FC: Fenlason recorded four saves to help Saint Louis claim a point on the road in its opening game of the season against Rio Grande Valley FC.
D – Paco Craig, Louisville City FC: Craig made four tackles, four interceptions and eight clearances to lead Louisville to a shutout victory against Nashville SC.
D – Dekel Keinan, FC Cincinnati: Keinan notched 11 clearances and won five of eight duels as he played a key role in FCC’s 1-0 road victory against the Charleston Battery.
D – Taylor Hunter, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Hunter won five of six duels, completed 85.7 percent of 28 passes and registered seven clearances as the Switchbacks held the LA Galaxy II to only one shot on goal.
M – Nick Hinds, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Hinds capped his professional debut with the game-winning goal in S2’s 2-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 and also won two tackles and five of eight duels in the midfield.
M – Cordell Cato, Charlotte Independence: Cato scored the opening two goals as the Independence romped to a 4-1 victory against Ottawa Fury FC in their home opener.
M – Andrew Tinari, New York Red Bulls II: Tinari scored twice and recorded five key passes as the Red Bulls II rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Toronto FC II.
M – Jack Blake, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Black completed 35 of 45 passes, registered two tackles and two clearances and capped the Rowdies’ 3-1 win against North Carolina FC with a fine long-range goal.
F – Brandon Allen, Bethlehem Steel FC: Allen notched a pair of goals in his debut for Steel FC as the hosts pulled away for a 4-1 victory against the Richmond Kickers.
F – Matt Thomas, Las Vegas Lights FC: Thomas’ goal after 70 seconds set a record for the opening goal in a USL expansion club’s history and paved the way for a 3-2 road win against Fresno FC.
F – Kharlton Belmar, Swope Park Rangers: Belmar had two goals and two assists, including the stoppage-time game-winner, as the Rangers took a 4-3 victory on the road against Reno 1868 FC.
Bench: Cody Mizell (TBR), Francis Atuahene (OKC), Niall McCabe (LOU), Carlos Alvarez (LV), Solomon Asante (PHX), Hadji Barry (SPR), Villyan Bijev (SAC)
