The Swope Park Rangers (4-2-4, 16 points) drew 0-0 with Rio Grande Valley FC (1-3-6, 9 points) at H-E-B Park on Saturday night.
The beginning of the first half was mostly back-and-forth action with RGV missing multiple attempts on goal.
In the 30th minute, Sporting KC loanee and USL leading goal scorer Kharlton Belmar had a beautiful left-footed attempt from the left side, but it dinged the crossbar and sailed away. Belmar was at it again in the 33rd minute with a shot from the opposite side, assisted by Hadji Barry, but it was blocked.
RGV was awarded a penalty kick in the 43rd minute after a foul was awarded in the penalty area. Todd Wharton would take the attempt for Rio Grande Valley, but Eric Dick made a spectacular diving touch to keep it from hitting the back of the net. The score would remain tied at 0-0.
Tyler Blackwood had a beautiful run ending in a right-footed shot in the 51st minute, but the play was broken up by a sliding tackle from the RGV goalkeeper.
Sporting KC Academy product Felipe Hernandez struck a beautiful shot from 40 yards out and it stayed on target, however Nicolas Corti was there to punch it away in the 55th minute.
In the 59th minute, Dick made a sliding save to block an attempt from RGV's Jesus Enriquez.
Hadji Barry tried a clever back-heeled attempt off a ball from Belmar in the 72nd minute, but it carried just to the left of the goal.
SPR finishes off their three-game road trip and returns home with one point in tow. The Rangers will next face Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, May 26 at 4 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Park.
Swope Park Rangers vs Rio Grande Valley FC
May 19, 2018 – H-E-B Park
Swope Park Rangers 0, Rio Grande Valley FC 0
Misconduct Summary:
SPR – Bryam Rebellon (Yellow Card) – 13’
SPR – Felipe Hernandez (Yellow Card) – 86’
Swope Park Rangers:
Eric Dick; Graham Smith, Parker Maher, Bryam Rebellon, Amer Didic; Chase Minter (Gianluca Busio 65’), Rodrigo Saravia © (Felipe Hernandez 78’), Wan Kuzain; Kharlton Belmar, Hadji Barry (Camilo Benitez 87’), Tyler Blackwood
