The Little Rock Rangers played their second preseason game this past Saturday, May 10th, securing a win against in-state NPSL team, the Arkansas Wolves.

Coming off a 4-0 victory over Tyler FC, the Rangers were focused on maintaining their playing style against a tougher opponent. Several familiar faces returned to the starting lineup for this match, including U.S. Open Cup hero Caoimhin McConnell, who slotted into the Rangers’ midfield. From the start, the Rangers looked dominant. They stuck to their signature direct, long-style play, targeting runs in behind the defense, and nearly scored just 10 seconds in, when Jon Koka had a clear chance on goal.

However, the game didn’t begin entirely as planned for the Rangers. There was an early blow as left-back Fabrizio Cubeddu was forced to leave the match with an injury. The unexpected change prompted Coach Doyle to make a quick tactical adjustment, bringing in a forward and shifting Ethan Blake from right wing to left back. This move gave Coach Doyle an opportunity to experiment with his squad and evaluate new dynamics within the team.

The first 20 minutes into the match, the Wolves showed moments of solid defending, making it difficult for the Rangers to create scoring opportunities. But the breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Stavros Charalampous found the back of the net. After chasing down a long ball, Jon Koka laid it off perfectly for Stavros, who slotted it past the goalkeeper to put the Rangers ahead on the scoreboard.

That assist marked Jon Koka’s fifth in the last two games—truly incredible form from the Spaniard. While he’s still waiting to find the back of the net himself, Koka has been instrumental in creating chances for the team. His playing style, which involves dropping deeper to receive the ball and open up space for his teammates, has made him a key creative force in the Rangers’ attack. It’s only a matter of time before the goals start coming for him as well. 

As the second half began, the Rangers made no changes to their tactical approach. Despite dominating possession, they were unable to add to their lead, though they created several quality chances that forced the Wolves’ goalkeeper into action throughout the half. The closest look at goal was a left-footed shot from academy player Joel Busby that was narrowly saved. 

What did change, however, was the increased demand on the Rangers’ defense. The Wolves began finding more opportunities to push forward, but the center-back duo of captain Carlos Beltran and Alejandro Padilla held firm, effectively containing the attacks. Behind them, goalkeeper Luca Clavero remained composed and dealt confidently with any threats that came his way.

It was a well-deserved second win for the Rangers, who, while still refining their identity and playing style, continue to take important steps toward becoming a stronger, more cohesive team. They now look ahead to their third and final preseason match against Southaven FC, followed by their USL Mid-South Conference opener on May 17th against Denton Diablos FC. The Rangers will then return home for their season home opener on May 21st against the McKinney Chupacabras.