Greens Draw Austin Bold 1-1
Published on October 11, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
Villyan Bijev scored his 12th goal of the season, but a late equalizer from the penalty spot split the points Sunday night at Bold Stadium in Austin, Texas.
The opening 45 minutes started slowly, but both sides had chances to take the lead as halftime approached.
Omar Gordon was denied by CJ Cochran after getting in behind the OKC defense. Cochran was quick off his line to make the stop and keep the former Energy FC winger from converting the one-on-one chance in the 38th minute.
At the other end, Jaime Chavez nearly snuck a shot from the corner of the 18-yard box, but Austin goalkeeper Elliot Panicco was able to turn it wide for a corner in the second minute of stoppage time.
The second half was quite a bit like the first with neither side threatening much early, but things picked up towards the end of the match.
In the 83rd minute, Arun Basuljevic sprung Seyi Adekoya in behind the ATX defense with a long ball over the top. Adekoya took a few touches towards the area and then squared for Villyan Bijev. Bijev needed one touch to get the ball out of his feet and then lashed a low drive past Panicco with his second touch to put the Greens ahead.
It looked as if OKC would pick up a massive three points in the playoff race, but it wasn't meant to be, as Austin was awarded a late penalty. Up stepped Xavier Baez, who was able to convert low and to Cochran's right in the second minute of stoppage time.
Energy FC moves to 36 points and remains in the fifth spot in the Central Division.
The Greens return to Taft Stadium for the final home match of the regular season on Sunday, October 17 at 5:00 p.m. against Birmingham Legion FC. Tickets are available at energyfc.com/october17.
Scoring Summary:
OKC: Bijev (Adekoya), 83'
ATX: Baez, penalty, 90+2'
Disciplinary Summary:
ATX: Walls (Yellow Card), 45+1'
OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Lamar Batista; M: Zach Ellis-Hayden (Deklan Wynne, 64'), Tucker Stephenson, Hiroki Kurimoto, Brad Dunwell (Arun Basuljevic, 74'); F: Jaime Chavez (Seyi Adekoya, 64'), Aidan Daniels (Mueng Sunday, 88'), Villyan Bijev
Subs not used: Sam Howard, Jon Brown, Kodai Iida
ATX Starting XI: GK: Panicco: D: Walls (Hinds, 58'), Taylor, Gustavo Rissi; M: Gordon, Fernandez (Ciss, 84'), Baez (c), Torres (Torres, 83'), Okugo; F: Troncoso (Diouff, 58'), Avila (Guadarrama, 69')
Subs not used: Fauroux, Sarkodie
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 11, 2021
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. LA Galaxy II - Sacramento Republic FC
- Write Your Roots at Laney on 10/16 - Oakland Roots
- SKC II to Host Atlanta in Wednesday Home Finale - Sporting Kansas City II
- Only Two Home Games Left in the 2021 Season - Oakland Roots
- Charlotte Independence Announce Time Change for Final Home Match - Charlotte Independence
- Lights FC to Hold 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament this Saturday - Las Vegas Lights FC
- LouCity Removes Interim Tag, Appoints Cruz as Head Coach - Louisville City FC
- Greens Draw Austin Bold 1-1 - OKC Energy FC
- San Antonio FC Scores Four Goals in Impressive Home Victory over Memphis 901 FC - San Antonio FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
