KANSAS CITY, Mo. – OKC Energy FC got a pair of second-half goals to earn a 3-1 victory against the Swope Park Rangers on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. The Rangers took the lead in just the seventh minute as a cross by Nansel Selbol from the right deflected off a defender, and came to the back post where Ayrton hit a low first-time finish from a tight angle. Energy FC hit back just before the break as Michael Thomas flicked home a header from Sebastian Dalgaard’s delivery in stoppage time to make it 1-1. OKC then took the lead midway through the second half as Michael Thomas’ low cross from the right found Wojciech Wojcik for a first-time finish at the top of the six-yard area. OKC added to its lead with 16 minutes to go as Daniel Gonzalez got possession on the right side of the area, and while SPR goalkeeper Zac Lubin saved his initial shot, the rebound went straight back to Gonzalez, and he finished for Energy FC’s third to wrap up all three points.

Scoring:
7’ – SPR – Ayrton (Nansel Selbol)
45+’ – OKC – Michael Thomas (Sebastian Dalgaard)
64’ – OKC – Wojciech Wojcik (Michael Harris)
74’ – OKC – Daniel Gonzalez

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Energy FC had a tough past seven days, as it first saw its eight-game league undefeated streak come to an end against Rio Grande Valley FC, and then was eliminated in the agonizing fashion of a penalty shootout against FC Dallas on Wednesday night. With a win against the Rangers, things will definitely feel a lot brighter for Coach Jimmy Nielsen, who will also take some satisfaction in seeing his side take victory in his return to face his former organization in Kansas City for the first time.

• 2. In the preseason, Energy FC captain Michael Thomas was excited for the arrival of the Rangers, and the chance to return home to compete against the organization he had previously played for. On Saturday, Thomas will have been thrilled to find the back of the net in his return to Kansas City, and likely more so since because it proved a key moment for his side as they got back on level terms just before the halftime break.

• 3. Things were going well for the Rangers in the first half as Ayrton’s first goal for the side put them up early, but after Energy FC’s stoppage-time equalizer the side didn’t quite seem to get going in the second half, allowing the visitors to claim all three points. After the optimism of a week ago, when the side took a big win against Rio Grande Valley, and almost stole a point in Vancouver, the Rangers will need to regroup ahead of next Sunday’s contest in Seattle.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Michael Thomas, OKC Energy FC – Energy FC’s captain put in a strong performance in the heart of midfield, and scored a good goal to get OKC back on level terms just before halftime, which sparked a strong second half.

Upcoming Games:

Swope Park Rangers at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – June 26, 8 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium

OKC Energy FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – June 25, 8 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium