Swope Park Rangers Battle to 1-1 Road Draw with Sacramento Republic FC
May 29, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release
The Swope Park Rangers played to a 1-1 draw with Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night at Bonney Field. After a goalless first half, the Rangers took the lead through Kevin Oliveira in the 73 rd minute, but Sac Republic hit right back through Cameron Iwasa as the game finished all square.
The Rangers (3-4-2, 11 pts.) threatened first, when Oliveira's free kick from 20 yards flew just over the Sac Republic crossbar in the sixth minute. Sacramento (4-3-2, 14 pts.) responded by creating two chances of their own, but a defensive block by Tommy Meyer and a save by Zac Lubin denied Harry Williams and Daniel Trickett-Smith, respectively.
In the 22 nd minute, Williams dribbled his way through the SPR defense and looked certain to score, only for Amer Didic to block his close-range strike with a last-ditch challenge. Didic and Oliveira each had half-chances for the Rangers while Sac Republic's Joaquin Rivas and Williams also spurned opportunities as the half finished goalless.
Three minutes after the break, Williams again called Lubin into action after the forward turned and fired toward the bottom corner but the Rangers goalkeeper tipped his effort around the post. Five minutes later, Lubin again denied Williams after he had been played through by Trickett-Smith.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 73 rd minute through Oliveira. After patient buildup from the Rangers, Mark Anthony Gonzalez fed Oliveira in the midfield, and the 19-year-old unleashed a powerful drive that swerved beyond Dominik Jakubek in the Sacramento goal to give SPR the lead with his second strike of the year and his first since the season opener.
The lead would only last three minutes, as Sac Republic hit back through Iwasa after he was set up in the area by substitute Thomas Stewart. In the closing stages, Lubin produced a diving stop to deny a goal-bound effort from Sac Republic captain Danny Barrera to preserve a point for the Rangers.
Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf
Amer Didic - The 21-year-old center back produced a standout defensive performance in the heart of the Rangers' backline with numerous blocks, tackles and successful aerial duels.
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