USL OKC Energy FC

Greens Walk out of Memphis with Win

Published on June 19, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release


Villyan Bijev's first-half goal, his third of the season, was the difference in Memphis, as Energy FC beat Memphis 901 FC to get its first win of the season.

The Greens came out on the front foot, creating several chances in the opening 15 minutes, with Frank Lopez putting one in the back of the net in the 12th minute only for the referee to disallow it due a handball.

Just six minutes later, the ball was in the back of the net again, and this time the goal stood.

Zach Ellis-Hayden whipped in a cross from the right wing that perfectly picked out Villyan Bijev at the back post, who was able to nod the ball past Memphis goalkeeper Brady Scott.

While OKC dominated the first half, Memphis was the more aggressive attacking side in the second.

The hosts created several good chances that on another night, with a lesser goalkeeper between the sticks, might have ended up as goals. But on this night, CJ Cochran was in exceptional form, producing seven saves, including a few that are surely USL Championship Goal of the Week contenders.

Despite the sustained pressure from Memphis, the Greens held on to keep the clean sheet and earn their first win of the season and first overall since July 17, 2020.

Energy FC is back home this Wednesday, June 23 against Sporting KC II, and tickets can be found at energyfc.com/june23.

Scoring Summary:

OKC: Bijev (Ellis-Hayden), 18'

Disciplinary Summary:

MEM: Oduro (Yellow Card), 8'

OKC: Ellis-Hayden (Yellow Card), 30'

OKC: Coronado (Yellow Card), 49'

MEM: Fortune (Yellow Card), 60'

OKC: Basuljevic (Yellow Card), 64'

OKC: Ward (Yellow Card), 77'

OKC: Coronado (Second Yellow Card), 90'

OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Zach Ellis-Hayden, Conor Donovan (c), Mitch Osmond, Rob Coronado; M: Hiroki Kurimoto, Charlie Ward (Brad Dunwell, 87'), Aidan Daniels, Arun Basuljevic; F: Villyan Bijev (Tucker Stephenson, 70'), Frank Lopez (Jon Brown, 64')

Subs not used: Kyle Ihn, Samual Rogers, Jaime Chavez, Mueng Sunday

MEM Starting XI: GK: Scott; DF: Segbers, Reynolds (Guitar, 76'), Thomas (Evans, 85'), Carroll; M: Oduro (Dacres, 45'), Atuahene, Paul (c), Kissiedou; F: Fortune (Murphy, 63'), Dally (Salazar, 45')

Subs not used: Gelnovatch, Gonzalez

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 19, 2021


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