Sports stats



USL Sporting Kansas City II

Swope Park Rangers Top LA Galaxy II 2-1

August 28, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sporting Kansas City II News Release


The Swope Park Rangers earned a 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy II at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday night. After falling behind in just the second minute to a goal from Bradford Jamieson IV, the Rangers hit back before the break with goals from Christian Duke and Mark Anthony Gonzalez to claim all three points and keep pace in the playoff chase.

The Rangers (9-9-6, 33 pts.) got off to a slow start and fell behind in the second minute. Bradford Jamieson IV cut inside from the left wing and dribbled at the SPR defense before lashing the ball into the bottom corner to give his side an early 1-0 lead.

Galaxy II (9-6-9, 36 pts.) kept pushing early in the game and twice went close with Jamieson IV flashed a low ball across goal that just evaded several teammates in the box, before Jose Villarreal curled a free kick straight into the arms of SPR debutant goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas.

In the 16 th minute, the Rangers found their equalizing goal. Ayrton tricked his way past his marker down the left before floating in a cross with his weaker right foot that captain Christian Duke headed into the corner. It was the Overland Park, Kan. native's first goal of the season, having become the club's first-ever signing in November 2015. Ayrton's assist moved him into a tie for the team-lead, matching Kevin Oliveira's tally of four.

The Rangers scored what would become the winning goal in the 25 th minute. Tommy Meyer brought the ball forward from right back and clipped in a delightful cross that Mark Anthony Gonzalez headed in at the far post for his team-leading eighth goal of the season to make the score 2-1.

The Rangers almost added to their lead in the 41 st minute when Tyler Pasher whipped in a cross that Gonzalez just couldn't turn on frame from inside the area as SPR held their lead into halftime.

SPR's dangerous front line fashioned another opening in the 53 rd minute when Gonzalez beat the LA offside trap, held off a challenge from Payeras and laid the ball off to Dane Kelly, but the Jamaican could only direct his shot over the bar from 15 yards.

Three minutes later, Amer Didic produced a goal-saving block when he denied Ethan Zubak a tap-in with a goalline clearance after LA had played their way through the SPR defense. LA went close again in the 61 st minute but Villarreal couldn't direct his effort on target when well place.

The Rangers began soaking up more and more pressure as the half wore on, with Galaxy II substitute Ariel Lassiter firing wide after meeting a low cross in the 77 th minute. LA center back Lee Nishanian got his head on a corner in the 84 th minute, but could only send his effort over the bar as the clock ticked down.

LA would have one final opportunity when Jamieson IV was left alone at the back post following a free kick, but he bundled his finish wide as the Rangers saw out the 2-1 win and improved to 7-3-1 at home.

Man of the Match presented by Courtyard Overland Park Metcalf

Christian Duke - The Rangers captain scored his first goal for the club to level the score in the 16 th minute, while LA struggled to build through the midfield due to the 25-year-old's energy and tackling.

Next Match:

The Swope Park Rangers continue their homestand when they host San Antonio FC at Swope Soccer Village on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, with a live stream available on SportingKC.com and tickets available via Ticketmaster .


• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 28, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central