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Rangers Clinch Playoff Spot, Top Switchbacks

By AARON CRANFORD - aaron.cranford@uslsoccer.com, 09/23/17, 11:33PM EDT

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Swope Park's Belmar scores one, assists one in 3-1 road win


Photo courtesy of Mark Reis/Switchbacks FC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following a lengthy weather delay, the Swope Park Rangers clinched their spot in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs by scoring three goals in under three minutes to top Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3-1 at Weidner Field on Saturday evening. Kharlton Belmar shined for the visitors, scoring the second goal of the game while providing the assist on the first goal of the game. Pascasl Eboussi scored the lone goal for Colorado Springs late into the match, but the home side was unable to mount a comeback. With the win, the Rangers improve to 15-7-6 on the season, while Colorado Springs falls to 9-12-8 this campaign.

Scoring:
20’ – SPR – Oumar Ballo (Kharlton Belmar)
20’ – SPR – Kharlton Belmar
22’ – SPR – Nansel Selbol (Felipe Hernandez)
90+2’ – COS – Pascasl Eboussi (Tobenna Uzo)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. The Rangers become the fourth team to clinch a spot in the USL Cup Playoffs following Saturday’s victory. The Western Conference champions a season ago, the Rangers recorded their sixth road of the season in order to secure their spot. Four games remain on the schedule for the club, as it looks to claim a home playoff game.
  • 2. Saturday’s defeat is a tough one for Colorado Springs to swallow, as it looks to push for a spot in the playoffs. The club is now winless in six games and currently sits five points behind OKC Energy FC, which controls the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference playoff race.
  • 3. Kharlton Belmar has impressed this year, and the forward continued to show why he is a top player in the USL on Saturday. Belmar, who signed a Major League Soccer contract with Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 15, recorded a goal and an assist while completing a total of 41 passes on the evening. The 24-year-old now has 12 goals and two assists for the Rangers this campaign.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Kharlton Belmar, Swope Park Rangers – Belmar provided one assist and recorded one goal to lead the Rangers to victory at Weidner Field on Saturday.

Upcoming Games:
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
vs. Orange County SC – September 30, 8 p.m. ET, Weidner Field
Swope Park Rangers vs. LA Galaxy II – September 27, 8:30 p.m. ET, Children’s Mercy Victory Field

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