KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Swope Park Rangers and Saint Louis FC played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday night at Children’s Mercy Park as Akeil Barrett’s late equalizer left the teams level.The first half didn’t see many clear scoring chances. Swope Park found the net in the 38th minute, but Kris Tyrpak’s goal was ruled out for offside and the teams went to the halftime break level. Saint Louis opened the second half more brightly, and was denied by a clearance off the line by the Rangers’ Ayrton before James Musa headed a chance over the crossbar. The Rangers had a big chance to take the lead as a giveaway went straight to Dane Kelly, only for the Jamaican forward to shoot over the crossbar, but shortly after Saint Louis took the lead as a slack back-pass was picked up by Vince Cicciarelli and slid into the right corner of the net. The Rangers hit back with a minute to go, however, as Barrett scored on his debut for the side to leave the game level, and Ayrton had two late chances to find a winner that were both denied by Saint Louis goalkeeper Ryan Thompson. The game ended all square, however, as both sides remained outside the top eight in the Western Conference.

Scoring: 
80’ – STL – Vince Cicciarelli
89’ – SPR – Akeil Barrett

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Saint Louis had the chance to move into the top eight when it took the lead with 10 minutes to go on a gift from SPR defender Tommy Meyer to Vince Cicciarelli, but was unable to hold onto its lead under late pressure from the hosts. The goal was Cicciarelli’s first since June 11, and would have given STLFC its first win in almost a month, but instead the side had to settle for its third draw in the last three games.

• 2. The Rangers’ recent winless streak also continued despite a late equalizer by Akeil Barrett on his debut for the club. A point closer to eighth-place San Antonio FC with seven games remaining for both teams, Swope Park will hope their in-state rival can do them a favor next Saturday night as Saint Louis plays host to SAFC in another crucial clash in the Western Conference playoff race. Five teams are now separated by two points between eighth and 12th place in the West following this weekend’s action.

• 3. Ultimately, the draw is a result that will satisfy neither side in the race for a place in the USL Playoffs as they both remained on the outside of the top eight in the Western Conference. Saint Louis will likely leave with more disappointment having had victory apparently handed to them by the Rangers’ defensive mistake, while Swope Park will be left unhappy after missing out on a chance to take all three points at home.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Akeil Barrett, Swope Park Rangers - Barrett came on as a second-half substitute in his debut for the side, and made a late different to earn his side a point with his 89th-minute equalizer.

Upcoming Games:

Swope Park Rangers vs. LA Galaxy II – August 27, 8:30 p.m. ET, Children’s Mercy Victory Field

Saint Louis FC vs. San Antonio FC – August 27, 8:30 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park