Reserves Win

The Swope Park Rangers defeated UMKC today out at the Swope Park training complex 2-0 this afternoon. Unlike the Creighton game earlier this season, the reserves dominated play the entire game, giving UMKC very few chances to work with. KC took the lead early in the first half, when Abe Thompson played a great ball through the middle that Michael Kraus ran onto. Kraus sloted the ball low to the far post to give KC the lead. Soon after that KC had the chance to double the lead. Abe Thompson went up to meet a Jonathan Leathers cross, but was fouled in the box. Thompson stepped up for the PK, but did not get enough power behind it, and the keeper made the save. Here's how the team lined up for the first half.

Pardo
Leathers - Josh White - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Pizarro - Souter - Espinoza
Thompson Kraus

In the second half, KC continued to push but didn't get a whole lot of very good chances. Still when they did get them, the UMKC defense and goalkeeper was able to match them. KC made two subs about a quarter of the way through the half, bringing on 2 guest players for White and Souter. After the sub, the Rangers switched to a 3-4-3.

Pardo
Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Pizarro - Guest player 1 - Espinoza
Guest player 2 - Thompson - Kraus

Finally, Austin Williams subbed in for Thompson in around the 80th minute. KC finally got their second goal on a nice little play. A long ball over the top was played into Kraus. Kraus chested the ball down into the path of Kurt Morsink who collected, took a few touches and slotted the ball past the keeper. Soon after that, the team almost had a third as Kraus had a ball cleared off the line. Nelson Pizarro played the rebound back into the box from the wing. The ball floated into the goal, but Kraus was judged to have fouled the keeper as they both went up for the ball.

The game overall was a little rough, with multiple yellow cards being given out to both teams over the course of the game.