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It only took 28 games, but the Swope Park Rangers finally found a victory on the road in 2019. They traveled to North Carolina and took on the Charlotte Independence in a game they controlled for much of the 90 minutes.
The lineup featured four members of Sporting Kansas City, with Felipe Hernandez, Wan Kuzain and Jaylin Lindsey all starting while Tyler Freeman would come in off the bench.
The Starting XI vs. @Independence.#CLTvSPR // #SPRBelieve pic.twitter.com/SksrKnsGya
— Swope Park Rangers (@SwopeRangers) September 21, 2019
Wilson Harris opened the scoring with a goal in the 29th minute. He stole the ball as Charlotte were sloppy in the midfield and on his own he put it away. SPR led 1-0 at the half.
Harris would strike again, this time assisted by new Sporting KC signing Felipe Hernandez in the 57th minute. Harris now has eight goals on the year and Hernandez has four assists.
In the 87th minute, Wan Kuzain opened his 2019 USL account after Harris got in alone on goal but had his shot saved, only to have a hustling Kuzain poke it into the net.
For a full recap, head to the team’s official site.
This win was the third straight result for SPR and their first back-to-back wins of the season. They are no longer dead last in all of the USL Championship (that distinction goes to Seattle Sounders owned Tacoma Defiance). If they win their next game, they’ll climb out of the basement in the Eastern Conference.
The Rangers are back in action on Wednesday against D.C. United’s USL club, Loudoun United, on the road at Segra Field. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+ at 6:30 PM CT.
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