USL Sporting Kansas City II

Swope Park Rangers Claim 2-1 Win in Inaugural Game

Published on March 26, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release


The Swope Park Rangers claimed a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 in the club's first-ever game on Saturday night at Children's Mercy Park. Second-half goals from Kevin Oliveira and Daniel Salloi saw the Rangers past their Western Conference counterparts.

The Rangers set the tone from kickoff, with Dane Kelly seeing a low shot well saved after getting behind the Timbers 2 defense in just the fourth minute. The attacking trio of Kelly, Jimmy Medranda and Kris Tyrpak were carving T2 open at will in the first half, with all three spurning excellent opportunities to put SPR ahead before the break.

After a first half where the Rangers had nine shots to Portland's one, the home team finally took the lead three minutes after the restart. Kelly was again the instigator - as he was for much of the night - breaking through the Timbers 2 defense and drawing a foul in the area. Kevin Oliveira stepped up and converted the penalty kick to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes after the Rangers took their long-awaited lead, T2 were denied twice in quick succession by SPR goalkeeper Jon Kempin. A free kick from the left was directed on goal by Taylor Peay, but Kempin clawed the ball off the line before also blocking the rebound.

The Rangers maintained control of the game throughout the second half, and finally added a second goal in second-half stoppage time. Substitute Daniel Salloi played a well-timed through ball to fellow sub Mark Anthony Gonzalez down the left, and Gonzalez played an intricate return pass to Salloi in the area who finished first-time past Wade Hamilton in the Portland goal to make the score 2-0.

Portland Timbers 2 were able to pull a goal back with just a few seconds remaining, as Nick Besler turned home Neco Brett's low cross from close range, but the Rangers saw out the remaining time to take the full three points.

Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf:

Kevin Oliveira - A midfield driving force for the Rangers throughout the game and capped his performance with the first goal in club history from the penalty spot in the 48 th minute.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 26, 2016


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