The Swope Park Rangers saw their four-game unbeaten streak snapped with a 1-0 defeat to Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. Emilio Orozco scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute before the Rangers poured pressure on the Monarchs defense for the remainder of the game but were unable to find the breakthrough.
The Rangers (8-9-5, 29 pts.) fell behind in the ninth minute when Monarchs (7-11-5, 26 pts.) captain Ricardo Velazco curled a free kick on goal that Zac Lubin dived down and tipped onto the post. The rebound fell invitingly for Orozco who knocked the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
After conceding, SPR began to create chances of their own. Ayrton and Tomas Granitto both went close before the 20-minute mark before Lubin was called into action at the other end to deny Maikon Orellana’s low shot from inside the area.
In the 25th minute, Kris Tyrpak clipped the ball over his marker and held off a second challenge before volleying a shot just wide of goal. One minute later, Alex Molano played Ayrton into space in the area, and the Brazilian cut inside his man and rifled a shot on goal that was well held by Eduardo Fernandez in the SLC goal.
The Rangers continued to threaten as the half wore on, with Ayrton again finding a pocket of space around the area and firing a swerving shot that was parried away by Fernandez in the 42nd minute. Moments later, Granitto dispossessed a Monarchs player high up the field and sliced a dipping half-volley toward goal that had Hernandez back-pedaling, but it ultimately sailed wide.
SPR came flying out of the blocks in the second half and went close in the 47th minute. Ayrton’s corner found the head of Ballo, whose effort was blocked on the line by a Monarchs defender.
Referee Hamed Sadeghi made a controversial call in the 59th minute, deciding not to award a foul when SLC’s James Moberg – who was the last man – brought down substitute Dane Kelly who was racing clear on goal.
In the 65th minute, Frederick Amankona hit the woodwork for the Monarchs, bending a shot toward the top corner that rattled the SPR crossbar.
Jaylin Lindsey – who was making his first-ever professional start – was replaced by Nansel Selbol in the 67th minute and he also hit the bar in the 72nd minute. Kelly beat his man down the right and cut the ball back to Selbol around the penalty spot, but the 19-year-old could only direct his effort against the crossbar.
Kelly had another chance in the 74th minute when he latched onto Tyrpak’s flick-on, composed himself and smashed a powerful volley narrowly over the bar. The Rangers continued to pour forward and Mark Anthony Gonzalez saw a low shot saved from close range in the 86th minute.
With almost the final kick of the game, Ayrton floated in a free kick that substitute Will Little met on the volley at the back post, but the ball flashed just wide as the Rangers succumbed to their first defeat since July 12.
Next Match
- The Swope Park Rangers return home next weekend to close out their season series with Saint Louis FC at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, Aug. 21. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, with a live stream available on SportingKC.com, while tickets are available here.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Real Monarchs SLC
August 13, 2016 – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
Swope Park Rangers 0, Real Monarchs SLC 1
Scoring Summary:
SLC – Emilio Orozco 1 (Unassisted) 9’
Misconduct Summary:
SLC – Alec Sundly (Yellow Card) 36’
SPR – Kris Tyrpak (Yellow Card) 36’
SLC – Frederick Amankona (Yellow Card) 41’
SPR – Ayrton (Yellow Card) 47’
SLC – James Moberg (Yellow Card) 84’
Swope Park Rangers: Zac Lubin; Tommy Meyer, Jaylin Lindsey (Nansel Selbol 67’), Oumar Ballo, Christian Duke ©; Ualefi (Will Little 86’), Tomas Granitto, Alex Molano (Dane Kelly 36’); Ayrton, Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Kris Tyrpak.
Substitutes Not Used: Adrian Zendejas, Ezra Armstrong.
STATS: Shots 17, Shots on Goal 9, Corners 7, Fouls 14
Real Monarchs SLC: Eduardo Fernandez; Tyler Arnone, Emilio Orozco, James Moberg, Max Lachowecki; Frederick Amankona (Jonathan Caparelli 78’), Alec Sundly, Maikon Orellana (Danilo Acosta 69’); Andrew Brody (Eti Tavares 82’), Colin Rolfe (Kevaughn Frater 78’), Ricardo Velazco © (Amet Ramirez 89’).
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Osswald, Edgar Duran.
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on Goal 4, Corners 6, Fouls 10
Referee: Hamed Sadeghi
Assistant Referees: Brandon Major and Karsten Gillwald
Fourth Official: Blake Griffiths
Attendance: 2,675
Weather: Clear and 88 degrees
