USL OKC Energy FC

Energy FC Picks up First Point of the Season with 1-1 Draw on the Road against Sporting KC II

Published on May 7, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release


Frank Lopez came off the bench to score his first goal of the season, but it wasn't enough as the hosts equalized late to share the spoils.

The Greens had the first good chance of the game, when Rob Coronado's well-struck, curling free kick from 30 yards was palmed away by Sporting goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.

At the other end, Conor Donovan came up with a huge block in the 14th minute to keep the match scoreless, and CJ Cochran made two, top-drawer saves in the 14th and in the 28th minutes.

While both sides enjoyed plenty of time and possession on the ball in the opening 45 minutes, the last good attempt for OKC came in the 25th minute, when Mueng Sunday's cross from the right wing found Jon Brown, but the forward's effort was steered away by McIntosh, who had to receive medical treatment for his troubles.

The second half provided the same amount of action but this time with a couple of goals. Frank Lopez made his season debut in the 67th minute and found the game's opening goal just three minutes later.

Villyan Bijev's ball over the top left Lopez with work to do out on the right, but the striker was able to drive into the box and unleash a powerful shot that skipped under McIntosh to give the Greens the lead.

The lead didn't last, however, as Sporting equalized in the 84th minute. Enoch Mushagalusa was able to create some space down inside the box on the right side and cut it back for Tyler Freeman who finished from close range to make sure the points were split.

Energy FC is back at Taft Stadium on Sunday, May 16 at 5 p.m. against Atlanta United 2, and tickets can be found at energyfc.com/may16.

Scoring Summary:

OKC: Lopez (Bijev), 70'

SKC: Freeman (Mushagalusa), 84'

Disciplinary Summary:

OKC: Sunday, Yellow Card, 14'

SKC: Duke, Yellow Card, 41'

SKC: Jahon Rad, Yellow Card, 55'

OKC: Basuljevic, Yellow Card, 58'

OKC: Iida, Yellow Card, 79'

SKC: Cisneros, Yellow Card, 90+1'

OKC: Lopez, Red Card, 90+4'

OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Mueng Sunday (Tucker Stephenson, 46'), Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Rob Coronado; M: Hiroki Kurimoto, Arun Basuljevic (Frank Lopez, 67'), Aidan Daniels; F: Kodai Iida, Jon Brown, Villyan Bijev

Subs not used: Kyle Ihn, Sam Rogers, Brad Dunwell, Pierre Groutchov, Frank Lopez, Charlie Ward, Tucker Stephenson

SKC Starting XI: GK: McIntosh (c); D: Pierre (Lenis, 68'), Dia, Constant, Smith; M: Duke, (Davis, 61'), Jahon Rad (Duke, 77'), Cisneros, Harris (Mushagalusa, 61'), Barber (Smith, 68'), Freeman

Subs not used: Krenecki, Dzankic

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2021


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