OKLAHOMA CITY – With a handful of players going up against their former clubs, Saturday’s game between OKC Energy FC and the Swope Park Rangers always promised to have a special atmosphere on the field.

After his side took a dramatic 1-0 victory for its first win of the season, though, Energy FC Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen was full of praise for the fans from both sides who provided an outstanding atmosphere at Taft Stadium.

“It was an intense game, and I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the fans to bringing the intensity in the stands as well,” said Nielsen. “Swope Park had guys down as well, and I think the two fan groups did a tremendous job to create a fantastic, happy, intense atmosphere. The top quality that we saw on the field today, we definitely saw in the stands as well.”

Kalen Ryden’s goal with 12 minutes to go brought almost all of the 5,690 fans in attendance to their feet, as the defender’s first goal of the season past former Energy FC loanee proved the difference in the contest.

“The ball came in from one of the center backs, I took a touch outside and sent it to Sebastian [Dalgaard],” Ryden said of his goal. “I knew Sebastian would put the ball in the box, so I continued my run. He played the ball right to my head, and I finished.”

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The victory was OKC’s first of the season, as it became the final team in the Western Conference to make its mark in the win column. While still early in the season – OKC’s game on Saturday was just its third after last week’s postponed contest against Vancouver – Energy FC’s players didn’t want to fall too far behind the other contenders in the standings as it faced a Swope Park side that had been undefeated.

“We were really pushing for this game because we haven't gotten a win so far,” said goalkeeper C.J. Cochran. “I'm really proud of the guys. You can't ask for anything more tonight than a win and a shutout.”

With a two-game road trip coming next before what should be a massive game against San Antonio FC on May 15, Nielsen’s goal is for his side to take the momentum, and the energy the fans provided on Saturday night on the road to Seattle next Sunday.

That said, he’ll also be keeping an eye on July 18, when Energy FC heads to face SPR for the second time this season.

“I feel like we’ve played a very attractive way, in a very exciting and very intense game between two good teams,” Nielsen said. “The next three games against Swope Park will be fun.”

Get a glimpse of the atmosphere in Taft stadium on social media: