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Energy FC, San Antonio End Deadlocked

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/10/17, 10:33PM EDT

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OKC has better chances, but SAFC defense holds firm again


Photo courtesy Steven Christy / OKC Energy FC

OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC and San Antonio FC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at Taft Stadium as San Antonio remained undefeated, and extended its shutout streak to seven games. Energy FC (4-5-2, 14pts) created the first big chance as Andy Craven’s shot from the right side of the penalty area to the near post was turned away by SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, while Alex Dixon went close from the ensuing corner. OKC defender Mickey Daly and Craven both went close late in the half, but the game went to the second half scoreless. Energy FC almost found the opening goal in the 66th minute as Craven was played into the penalty area by Dixon, only for Restrepo to smother his chance. San Antonio (9-0-4, 31pts) started to come into the game late, and Zach Herivaux was crowded out as he tried to turn and shoot after a low cross by Billy Forbes, while Forbes himself shot high from inside the penalty area with 12 minutes to go. Forbes almost grabbed a late lead for the visitors as he wove past his defender, only to shoot wide of the right post from the left side of the penalty area with four minutes to go, but the game ended scoreless as SAFC’s shutout streak, and undefeated streak continued.

Scoring: 
None

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Energy FC was without two key players at either end of the field, but the positive momentum the side gained in its victory on Tuesday night carried on without goalkeeper Cody Laurendi or forward Wojciech Wojcik on the field. Andy Craven, making his first USL start for the since his trade from FC Cincinnati last month, was an able fill-in and came closest to finding the net for the hosts as they created the better scoring opportunities over the course of the night, and the side was unlucky not to add a fourth win in its last five games.

  • 2. The reason OKC wasn’t able to claim victory was another stellar performance from San Antonio’s defense, which posted its seventh consecutive shutout to maintain the side’s undefeated start to the season. The lack of goals persisted at the other end of the field too, however, as the side registered only one effort on goal, and a relatively tame one at that. San Antonio has now scored only three goals in its past six league games, and needs to find a way to get back on track.

  • 3. OKC continued its push toward the Western Conference playoff positions with a draw against San Antonio, but will now face one of the key stretches of its season as it makes a four-game trip to conclude the month. After opening with a visit to the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Energy FC will make the swing through Cascadia as it visits Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, a stretch that will be critical to close out its playoff hopes as it closes out the month of June.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Jose Barril, OKC Energy FC – Barril was creative throughout, pulling the strings as Energy FC had the better of much of the game as OKC earned a point against an undefeated SAFC side.

Upcoming Games:
OKC Energy FC
at Portland Timbers 2 – June 16, 10:30 p.m. ET, Providence Park
San Antonio FC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC – June 17, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field

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