The Swope Park Rangers (2-9-6, 12 points) fell 3-1 to the first-place Tampa Bay Rowdies (11-1-6, 39 points) on Sunday afternoon at Children’s Mercy Park. SPR forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker scored for the second time in as many games, slotting home midway through the second half, but Tampa Bay had already built a 3-0 cushion amidst stifling temperatures in the midsummer Kansas City sunshine.
The Rowdies showed their table-topping credentials early and landed the first punch in the 14th minute. Yann Ekra was afforded space on the right wing and whipped a cross into the penalty area for Juan Tejada to head past Rangers goalkeeper Eric Dick.