KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Swope Park Rangers moved into third place in the USL Western Conference with a 3-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Wednesday night for their third consecutive victory. The Rangers almost took the lead in the 11th minute as a slipped pass set up Kharlton Belmar in the right side of the penalty area, but his shot past advancing Galaxy II goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon came back off the left post and was cleared to safety. Sneddon denied a big chance for Belmar in the 29th minute as he made a crucial sliding challenge just outside his penalty area, while Swope Park’s James Musa flashed a shot just wide of the right post a few minutes later. Belmar finally found the net in the 37th minute, however, as a chipped ball over the top by Colton Storm set up a low finish for his 13th goal of the season. LA’s Alejandro Covarrubias forced a save from SPR goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas with a shot from 25 yards late in the first half, but the Rangers continued to control much of the flow of the game. Six minutes into the second half Felipe Hernandez fired wide after being played in behind on an angled pass by Kevin Oliveira. Swope Park added to its lead with two goals in five minutes as Lebo Moloto fired home after a clever give-and-go with Christian Duke in the 53rd minute before Amer Didic headed home a corner kick by Hernandez to make it three. The Rangers continued to press, and Nansel Selbol forced a good save from Sneddon in the 80th minute, while Oumar Ballo headed just wide of the left post from the ensuing corner. LA almost pulled a consolation goal back in the 89th minute as Ethan Zubak got in behind the defense, only for Zendejas to make a big save, but the Rangers never lost real control as they cruised to victory.

Scoring:
37’ – SPR – Kharlton Belmar (Colton Storm)
53’ – SPR – Lebo Moloto (Christian Duke)
58’ – SPR – Amer Didic (Felipe Hernandez)

• #SPRvLA: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Swope Park’s resurgence continued with another impressive attacking display that saw the side record its third consecutive outing with at least three goals. The Rangers moved into third place in the Western Conference with the victory, although San Antonio FC does have a game in hand to try and regain the spot, but just as it did a season ago it seems that Swope Park is hitting form at just the right moment to make a strong defense of its Western Conference crowd when the postseason arrives.

• 2. Kharlton Belmar’s offseason move to the Rangers seemed at the time one that was likely to pay off for both the team and the 2015 USL Rookie of the Year, and that has proven to be the case. Belmar’s 13th goal of the season to open the scoring marked both an individual-season high for the striker, and also topped Mark Anthony Gonzalez’s combined regular season and postseason total of 12 goals a season ago to set a new club record for the Rangers. The combination of power and finishing that Belmar brings has already earned him an MLS deal with Sporting Kansas City, and should have him in contention for All-League honors for the second time.

• 3. The endeavor put forth by the Galaxy II on Wednesday night couldn’t be faulted, but the side was too often a step slow in reading situations that allowed Swope Park to create numerous chances to add to its lead. Los Dos won’t be part of the postseason for the first time in their history this season, and there’s plenty of work to be done for the side’s young players to raise their level this offseason to get back to the level teams like the Rangers have set the bar.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Christian Duke, Swope Park Rangers – Duke was dominant in midfield, both in winning possession and distributing, and almost found the net himself in a good all-around display.

Upcoming Games:
Swope Park Rangers at Rio Grande Valley FC – September 30, 8:30 p.m. ET, H-E-B Park
LA Galaxy II at OKC Energy FC – October 1, 6 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium