PREVIEW: Saint Louis FC V Oklahoma City Energy
July 29, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Saint Louis FC News Release
Saint Louis FC will be looking to keep the momentum going in the second match of a four-game homestand after defeating Switchbacks FC, 2-1 in front of a crowd of 4,771 last Saturday night. STLFC jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first half, courtesy of a close-range finish by James Musa and an audacious 20-yard chip from Irvin Herrera -- his record-setting 10th goal of the season for STLFC.
Saturday will be a tough test for the hosts, however, with the high-flying Oklahoma City Energy FC coming to town. Energy FC are undefeated in their last seven and hold a five-point advantage over STLFC in the USL Western Conference standings, despite having played three fewer games thus far.
This will be the second of four meetings between these two sides in 2016, following a thrilling 2-2 draw at Taft Stadium on April 9th. Sebastian Dalgaard gave OKC the advantage inside 10 minutes, but STLFC responded with two goals through Vince Cicciarelli and Sam Fink to take a 2-1 lead into the break. However, a stunning strike by Coy Craft on 58 minutes salvaged a draw at home for the Energy.
Jimmy Nielsen's side are in fine form coming into this game and boast the stingiest defense in all of USL, having conceded only 13 goals to this point (2 less than any other club). One player to be on the look-out for is forward Danni Konig. The Dane has only scored a pair of goals so far this campaign, but his 22 tallies in 2015 were the second most of any player in USL, trailing only former Louisville City striker, Matt Fondy.
With playoff positions hanging in the balance, this fourth all-time match-up between Saint Louis FC and Oklahoma City Energy FC (STL: 1W, Draw: 2, OKC: 0W) is bound to be an intense affair and a game St. Louis soccer fans won't want to miss. For ticket information go to SaintLouisFC.com or call the DNT Box Office at 636-680-0997.
Player Availablity Report:
Brandon Barklage - Out, injury
Leading Scorers:
Saint Louis FC: Irvin Herrera (10)
OKC Energy FC: T- Michael Thomas, Coy Craft, Wojciech Wojcik (3)
Leading Assists:
Saint Louis FC: T- Mike Ambersley, James Musa, Richard Dixon (3)
OKC Energy FC: Sebastian Dalgaard (4)
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