Rangers Following In Sporting's Foot Steps, and Not in a Good Way

After a strong start to the season by the Swope Park Rangers, unfortunately they've followed the same path as Sporting KC did after their strong start. The Rangers have lost three straight games after a 2-0-1 start to the season, the latest loss coming last night against cross state rival, St. Louis FC.

St. Louis grabbed the lead in only the 11th minute when a cross by Richard Dixon caused some trouble in the SPR box with Jimmy Mulligan and Jon Kempin not communicating well enough. The ball fell to Schillo Tshuma who beat Kempin to give St. Louis the lead. The Rangers responded to the goal with some good play, Oumar Ballo hit the cross bar on a corner and Kevin Oliveira earned another corner forcing St. Louis goalkeeper Mark Pais to tip a free kick away from goal. In the 39th minute though St. Louis doubled their lead. After a questionable foul called on the Rangers just outside their own box, Chad Bond curled a free kick past Kempin and into the net doubling St. Louis' lead. Before the half was over though things got even worse for the Rangers as Ballo picked up his second yellow of the game in stoppage time and was sent off, forcing SPR to play a man down.

The second half saw St. Louis take advantage of the man advantage early on as Bond played Irvin Herrera in behind the Rangers defense. As Kempin came out, Herrera headed the ball over Kempin and into the net. After the goal the Rangers tried to find a way back into the game but were stopped by the St. Louis defense and Pais in goal. A 79th minute foul by Bond on Oliveria saw the St Louis player sent off for a second bookable offense as both teams ended the game with 10 players. Unfortunately the Rangers could not find any way back into the game.