Greens Rally against ATL, Win Third in a Row
June 27, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
After going behind early in the second half, goals from Tucker Stephenson and Conor Donovan helped Energy FC down Atlanta United 2, and extend the winning streak to three games, Sunday night in Kennesaw, Ga.
Neither side was able to get on the scoreboard in the first half, with Mitch Osmond's attempt from close-range right at Atlanta goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo in the 10th minute the best look the Greens had on the sand-covered pitch.
The hosts went ahead in the 49th minute when Robbie Mertz's through ball found Matias Benitez, who fired a first-time shot high past CJ Cochran.
The goal seemed to spur the Greens forward, however, and in the 71st minute, substitute Tucker Stephenson grabbed his first goal of the season. Zach Ellis-Hayden whipped in a cross from the right wing that picked out Jaime Chavez, but his effort was blocked away to a waiting Tucker Stephenson, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to level the score.
OKC found the winner just seven minutes later. Rob Coronado, as he so often does, delivered a perfect inswinging free kick into the box, and Conor Donovan was able to get a foot on the end of it to guide it past Rios Novo.
The victory moves Energy FC up to 13 points and 5th place in the Central Division.
Energy FC is back home on Friday, July 2 for the second Black Gold Derby of the season against FC Tulsa. That match is also Military Appreciation Night, and tickets can be found at energyfc.com/july2.
Scoring Summary:
ATL: Benitez (Mertz), 49'
OKC: Stephenson, 71'
OKC: Donovan (Coronado), 78'
Disciplinary Summary:
OKC: Ellis-Hayden (Yellow Card), 40'
ATL: Reilly (Yellow Card), 65'
ATL: Campbell (Yellow Card), 77'
ATL: Mertz (Yellow Card), 84'
OKC: Cochran (Yellow Card), 90'+5
OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Zach Ellis-Hayden, Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Rob Coronado; M: Hiroki Kurimoto (Brad Dunwell, 85'), Charlie Ward, Aidan Daniels (Tucker Stephenson, 58'), Arun Basuljevic (Jon Brown, 90'); F: Villyan Bijev (Jaime Chavez, 58'), Frank Lopez (Sam Rogers, 86')
Subs not used: Kyle Ihn, Mueng Sunday
ATL Starting XI: GK: Rios Novo; D: Washington, Bauer, Campbell (Garuba, 79'), Wiley; M: Reilly, Allan, Matheus (Fewo, 62'), Mertz, Stanley; F: Benitez
Subs not used: Reyes, McFadden, Diop
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