Swope Park Rangers overpower 10-men LA Galaxy II

The 2016 LA Galaxy II season ended on Friday night in the first round of the USL Cup playoffs. Los Dos were reduced to 10-men midway through the second half. Swope Park Rangers took complete control after that, scoring three, including twice in stoppage time, to win 3-0.

With this result, the Swope Park Rangers extend their impressive unbeaten run. They have won their last five matches, and gained at least a point in seven of their last eight matches played.

During the opening half, challenges came flying. Adonis Amaya picked up a silly yellow card for bringing down a Swope Park Ranger defender for what appeared to look like for no reason. Then, Jose Villarreal picked up a yellow card in the 33rd minute after jumping into the back of an opposing player.

That yellow card would prove to be costly for the elder Villarreal and, eventually, Los Dos. Villarreal raised an elbow to former Galaxy player Tommy Meyer and received his second yellow card for the night.

Swope Park Rangers took full advantage of their new found situation as they began to ramp up the pressure. Two minutes following the dismissal, Dane Kelly blasted one from 20 yards out. Kelly went close to scoring, but Clement Diop did well to kick the ball away from danger.

Finally, in the 76th minute, there was a breakthrough from the hosts. Tyler Pasher stormed down the left side of the pitch to initiate the goal scoring chance. The initial ball in bounced around the box before Pasher sent a cross towards the far post. Waiting in the vicinity of the delivery, with no defender within a few yards, was Kris Tyrpark. The 24-year-old Tyrpark headed the ball back towards the left post, beating a helpless Diop to make it 1-0.

The Swope’s Mark Gonzalez made his way into the fray shortly before the opening goal but made his mark late in the match. Emmanuel Appiah sent a ball into space and Gonzalez used his speed to chase the ball down. Gonzalez proceeded to round Diop before slotting home into an empty net to double the advantage.

To put an emphatic seal on their first ever playoff match, Swope Park Rangers scored once more before the final whistle. Gonzalez danced into the area before beating Diop from a tight angle.

This match was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season. What hurt Los Dos was their inconsistent form heading into the playoffs. That carried over to tonight as they crumbled under pressure.