Kharlton Belmar continued his strong start in the USL this season with two goals on Saturday in the Rangers 2-2 draw at Phoenix Rising FC.
Billy Forbes opened the scoring for the home side in the 66th minute before Belmar, the league’s leading goal scorer and reigning Player of the Month, responded for the Rangers with his third brace of the season. The former USL Rookie of the Year headed home Felipe Hernandez’s free kick in the 70th minute, then lifted SPR into the lead with a superb solo effort in the 88th minute.
The Rangers were poised to pick up the club’s first win against Phoenix until Solomon Asante came to the Rising’s rescue, netting his fourth goal of the year with a 90th-minute equalizer.
The Rangers and the Rising – whose match-up in last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinals also featured a dramatic ending highlighted by two goals in extra time prior to the penalty shootout -- will meet again for the rematch in Kansas City on May 26.
Both sides now remain locked in fourth place in the USL standings along with Saint Louis FC, who will travel to Kansas City next Saturday for a highly anticipated Show-Me State showdown with SPR. Tickets for the match are available online at SeatGeek.com.
Swope Park Rangers vs Phoenix Rising FC
April 21, 2018 – Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex
Swope Park Rangers 2, Phoenix Rising FC 2
Scoring Summary:
PHX – Billy Forbes 1 (Solomon Asante 1) 66’
SPR – Kharlton Belmar 6 (Felipe Hernandez 2) 70’
SPR – Kharlton Belmar 7 (Rodrigo Saravia 2) 88’
PHX – Solomon Asante 4 (Billy Forbes 2) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
PHX – Kevon Lambert (caution) 8’
SPR – Felipe Hernadnez (caution) 25’
SPR – Amer Didic (caution) 28’
PHX – Devante Dubose (caution) 45’
PHX – James Musa (caution) 52’
SPR – Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal (caution) 77’
SPR – Kharlton Belmar (caution) 89’
PHX – Kevon Lambert (caution) 92’
PHX – Kevin Lambert (ejection) 92’
Swope Park Rangers: Adrian Zendejas; Colton Storm, Amer Didic, Graham Smith, Parker Maher; Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, Felipe Hernandez (Chase Minter 72), Rodrigo Saravia ©; Kharlton Belmar, Hadji Barry, Tyler Blackwood (Camilo Benitez 91+)
Subs not used: Darrin MacLeod, Matt Lewis, Matheus Silva, Sebastian Cruz, Bryam Rebellon
