OKC and RGV Battle to Scoreless Draw
August 15, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
Energy FC dominated in just about every area on the field but were unable to find the back of the net, as the sides played to a scoreless draw at Taft Stadium Saturday night.
After dominating possession throughout the first half, the first good chance came in the 35th minute. Jaime Chavez found Jose Hernandez with a square pass inside the penalty area, but the midfielder's touch took him into a tight angle and RGV goalkeeper Paul Blanchette was able to stand tall and block the shot.
Joe Amico tested Blanchette with a stinging effort from the top of the box three minutes later. The fullback, in his first start of the season, beat two defenders before unleashing a left-footed drive that was palmed away to safety.
In the second half, the Greens picked up where they left off and kept pressing, looking to make the breakthrough, and it came inches away from happening in the 67th minute. Hernandez crossed up his defender in the box and tried to square the ball to Chavez for a sitter, but the pass was cut out for a corner kick.
Chavez then nearly found the back of the net in the 80th minute. The striker cut inside his defender to create a yard of space at the corner of the penalty area, but his dipping, curling effort was tipped over by Blanchette.
OKC had one last good chance in the 91st minute when Hernandez stood a cross up at the back post, and Omar Gordon flew to meet the ball in the air. Unfortunately, the second-half substitute was unable to keep the header on target.
Greens goalkeeper CJ Cochran had an outstanding night, making four saves and several vital clearances to keep the visitors from stealing the points.
Energy FC now has six points but remains in fourth place in Group D, at the time of writing. RGV still sits at the bottom with three points.
The Greens will hit the road to take on San Antonio FC on Wednesday, August 19 at 8 p.m. That match can be streamed live on ESPN+, and the official, all-ages watch party will be at Social Capital.
Scoring Summary:
N/A
Disciplinary Summary:
OKC: Ellis-Hayden, Yellow Card, 15'
OKC Starting XI: GK: CJ Cochran; D: Zach Ellis-Hayden (Kyle Hyland, 46'), Christian Ibeagha, Nicolas Taravel (Tucker Stephenson, 82'), Joe Amico (Atiba Harris, 59') M: Jon Brown, Charlie Ward, Rafael Garcia (c), Jose Hernandez; F: Jaime Chavez, Arun Basuljevic (Omar Gordon, 78')
Subs Not Used: Cody Laurendi, Brad Dunwell, Frank Lopez
RGV Starting XI: GK: Paul Blanchette; D: Carter Manley, Robert Castellanos (c), Erik McCue (Diego Rocha, 66'), Kyle Adams; M: James Murphy, Isidro Martinez, Kembo Kibato (Kyle Edwards, 82'), Deshane Beckford (Jonathan Jimenez, 82'), Taiberson Nunes (Luke Prpa, 72'); F: Garrett McLaughlin
Subs Not Used: Ryan Coulter, Christian Lucatero, Juan Carlos Obregon Jr.
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