Energy FC Falls to FC Tulsa to Open Season
April 24, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
It was a tale of two halves, as FC Tulsa capitalized on their chances in the first half and were able to hang on for the win in the 2021 season opener Saturday night at Taft Stadium.
With several key pieces of the OKC team out injured, the Greens struggled to find their footing on the attacking end in the first half. On the opposite side, the sustained pressure by the Tulsa attack eventually found a way through the Energy FC defense.
Tulsa jumped ahead in the 29th minute when Joaquin Rivas got on the end of a cross from Jorge Corrales from the left wing. The ball skipped through the box to find an open Rivas who was able to score from close range.
The visitors doubled the lead in the 36th minute when a bouncing ball in the box fell to Rivas, who lobbed CJ Cochran from near the corner of the box.
The Greens looked much better in the second half, creating numerous chances and keeping Tulsa pinned back for the majority of the half.
Mitch Osmond nearly got OKC on the board in the 52nd minute, when his attempt from six yards out looked to be headed in the goal, but it struck Tulsa defender Modou Jadam's arm. The referee did not award a penalty.
Another Tulsa handball occurred a few minutes later just outside the box, which the referee saw. The resulting free kick from Jon Brown clipped the top of the wall and was deflected out for a corner kick.
Relentless pressure from OKC ensued, including another penalty shout from Mitch Osmond, but it was Conor Donovan who finally got the home side on the scoresheet in the 76th minute. Villyan Bijev's perfect, in-swinging free kick was met by the head of Donovan, who guided the ball past Tulsa goalkeeper Sean Lewis.
While Energy FC continued to press, Tulsa, against the run of play, sealed the points in the 86th minute. Dajama's ball over the top found Dario Suarez in front of goal. The striker's initial attempt was saved by CJ Cochran, but the follow-up rebounded past the OKC goalkeeper.
The Greens are back at Taft Stadium next Saturday, May 1 against Atlanta United 2. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and tickets can be found at energyfc.com/may1.
Scoring Summary:
TUL: Rivas (Corales), 29'
TUL: Rivas, (Sheldon), 36'
OKC: Donovan (Bijev), 76'
TUL: Suarez, 87'
Disciplinary Summary:
TUL: Corrales, 42'
TUL: Bourgeois, 57'
TUL: Ayagwa, 64'
TUL: Sheldon, 75'
OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Mueng Sunday, Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Rob Coronado; M: Hiroki Kurimoto, Arun Basuljevic (Kodai Iida, 72'), Aidan Daniels; F: Tucker Stephenson, Jon Brown, Villyan Bijev
TUL Starting XI: GK: Sean Lewis; D: Kevin Garcia, Mo Jadama, Bradley Bourgeois, Matt Sheldon, Jorge Corales; M: Eric Bird, Ralphael Ayagwa (Jerome Kiesewetter, 69'), Rodrigo Da Costa; F: Dario Suarez (Ciaran Winters, 89')
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