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Saint Louis, OKC Finish Scoreless

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/30/16, 10:47PM EDT

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Late chances go astray as sides share the spoils in entertaining contest


Photo courtesy Mark Guthrel / Saint Louis FC

FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC and OKC Energy FC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at World Wide Technology Soccer Park as Energy FC’s undefeated streak reached eight games. Saint Louis opened the game well, and had chances for Irvin Herrera and Mitch Lurie denied in the opening 10 minutes. Herrera put pressure on the OKC backline in the first half, and opened up a chance for Mike Ambersley that was shot over, while OKC went close on a free kick by Jose Cuevas that went just wide of the post as the half ended scoreless. Daniel Gonzalez had a low drive saved by Saint Louis goalkeeper Mark Pais early in the second half, and Energy FC went close again in the 68th minute when Danni König sent a curling shot off the crossbar with Pais beaten as the visitors started to get on top. Both teams had big chances in stoppage time to take victory, Ambersley just shot wide from close range for the hosts and König put a rebound over from a corner, but the game ended scoreless.

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. For a scoreless draw, both teams will be scratching their heads as to how they didn’t find the back of the net. The three minutes of stoppage times saw two big chances go astray, particularly, as a free kick for Saint Louis was held in the penalty area well and Jordan Roberts found Mike Ambersley for a half-volleyed finish that probably should have found the net. Moments later, with the last kick of the game, OKC’s Danni König lifted a rebound chance over the crossbar from the top of the six-yard area, his head in his hands after missing the opportunity.

  • 2. Energy FC’s defense has been the stingiest in the USL so far this season, and the adjustments the side made to Saint Louis’ attack throughout the game showed why that’s been the case, particularly of late. While the hosts were able to manufacture chances in the first half from the run of play, Energy FC was able to employ a solid line that resulted in either offside runs, or passes that were easily gathered by goalkeeper Cody Laurendi, until the late flurry of pressure as both teams looked to grab victory.

  • 3. A point will be OK for both teams, but at the same time both could have used all three points given their respective aspirations. For Saint Louis, which was looking to solidify its place in the top eight, the result wasn’t an ideal one as it gets ready to host a massive game against the Swope Park Rangers on Wednesday night. For Energy FC, the chance to gain ground on first-place Vancouver was also missed as they head home for a massive game on Tuesday night against Sacramento in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Chad Bond, Saint Louis FC – Bond brought a combination of creativity and solid defensive work as Saint Louis earned a point against an Energy FC side that was undefeated in its last seven games.

Upcoming Games:

Saint Louis FC vs. Swope Park Rangers – August 3, 8 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park

OKC Energy FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC – August 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium

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