PORTLAND, Ore. – A pair of second-half penalty kicks by Andy Craven saw OKC Energy FC earn a 3-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Friday night at Providence Park. Portland opened the game well, and its pressure almost created the opening goal in the 21st minute as Russell Cicerone held the ball in play by the goal line, setting up a low shot by Harold Hanson that was parried by OKC goalkeeper C.J. Cochran and cleared. Cochran made another big save point-blank on Augustine Williams two minutes later after Villyan Bijev’s pass found the forward in the right side of the penalty area. Energy FC (5-5-2, 17pts) produced its first good chance in the 29th minute, but after a good buildup Jose Barril’s curling effort beat T2 goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, but was headed over by defender Kyle Bjornethun on the line. T2 (1-12-1, 4pts) took the lead five minutes before halftime after Lamar Batista was brought down in the penalty area during a free kick, and Bijev converted to the right corner from the spot. OKC answered almost immediately as Philip Rasmussen scored after a clearance off the line from Craven’s initial shot was followed by an errant pass that allowed the Dane to strike. The second half saw OKC be awarded a penalty kick of its own just before the hour-mark, but McIntosh saved from Anthony Wallace as the Energy FC defender shot toward the right corner. Energy FC got another chance from the spot, however, when Craven was brought down by Batista. Craven stepped up, and converted to give OKC the lead. The Energy FC forward got another chance from the penalty spot four minutes later after a shot by Miguel Gonzalez was handled in the area, and Craven shot into the right corner for his second of the night. T2’s Williams almost grabbed a stoppage-time goal with a diving header, only to see his effort go wide, and Energy FC opened its trip through Cascadia on a positive note.

Scoring: 
40’ – POR – Villyan Bijev (penalty)
42’ – OKC – Philip Rasmussen
74’ – OKC – Andy Craven (penalty)
78’ – OKC – Andy Craven (penalty)

• #PORvOKC: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The absence of Cody Laurendi on international duty opened up an opportunity for backup goalkeeper C.J. Cochran over the past week, and in his shutout against San Antonio FC last Saturday and a four-save performance on Friday night against Portland, the 25-year-old came through with flying colors. Cochran made some crucial saves as T2 had the upper hand in the first half to keep OKC in the game, and while he conceded Villyan Bijev’s penalty kick five minutes before the break, Energy FC was able to respond well to ensure Cochran’s previous strong work wouldn’t go to waste.

• 2. Portland had done close to everything right in the first half, and while the penalty kick the side was awarded might not have been absolutely clean-cut, T2 deserved its lead when Bijev found the back of the net. Unfortunately for the hosts, the misfortune that has followed T2 this season quickly arrived again, as what looked like a miraculous goal line clearance ended up turning into an equalizer for Energy FC. Had T2 reached halftime with the lead, it would have given the side a big boost of confidence. Giving up the equalizer in the manner it did meant the side went into the locker room on a down note, and saw things go against it again in the second half.

• 3. Opening up a three-game road trip through Cascadia, Energy FC will have wanted to not only get a positive result against Portland, but also make sure it has plenty in reserve for Monday night’s game against Seattle Sounders FC 2. With the win moving OKC into the top eight in the Western Conference, and four wins in its last six outings in the league, Andy Craven’s pair of penalty kicks built a platform for Energy FC to build on as it heads north, and put pressure on those around them in the standings to find an answer.  

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Andy Craven, OKC Energy FC – Craven’s first two goals since his return to Energy FC proved the difference as the striker kept his composure twice from the penalty spot.

Upcoming Games:
Portland Timbers 2 vs. Reno 1868 FC – June 24, 10 p.m. ET, Providence Park
OKC Energy FC at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – June 19, 10:30 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium