VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 rallied twice to earn a 2-2 draw with OKC Energy FC on Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Stadium. WFC2 (4-7-3, 15pts) had the better of the early chances as Dominick Zator and Thomas Gardner both had efforts saved by Energy FC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi, but OKC (5-6-2, 18pts) also went close just before the half-hour mark as Alex Dixon broke in behind the Vancouver defense, but was denied by Spencer Richey on a fine one-on-one save. Energy FC took the lead 11 minutes before halftime, however, as Andy Craven found space on the right to center, and Juan Guzman arrived late to send a finish into the right corner of the net. Vancouver almost equalized eight minutes into the second half as a cross reached Nazeem Bartman, but his header went over the crossbar. Three minutes later Bartman had his goal, as a corner wasn’t cleared by the OKC defense allowing the South African forward to nod home from close range, but Energy FC regained the lead from the penalty spot through Craven after Brian Harris was brought down in the area. WFC2 threatened again from a corner that was blocked on the line, but after the rebound was deflected over the ensuing corner kick saw Thomas Sanner head home at the back post to make it 2-2. WFC2 was reduced to 10 men with 13 minutes to go when Dominick Zator was sent off for his second yellow card, but Energy FC was unable to take advantage and find a winner as Craven’s last good chance in stoppage time was saved.

Scoring: 
34’ – OKC – Juan Guzman (Andy Craven)
56’ – VAN – Nazeem Bartman (David Norman Jr.)
61’ – OKC – Andy Craven (penalty)
73’ – VAN – Thomas Sanner (David Norman Jr.)

• #VANvOKC: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Redemption was a major theme in Saturday’s clash, as both Vancouver’s Nazeem Bartman and OKC’s Brian Harris were able to redeem themselves after letdowns not long prior. For WFC2 forward Bartman, the chance for his first professional goal in the 53rd minute seemed harder to miss than finish, but the late sliding header from inside the six-yard area sailed over the crossbar. A mistake three minutes later when Harris missed his clearance gave Bartman a second chance that he buried for a first equalizer, but just as quickly Harris gave Energy FC the chance to regain the lead as he was brought down after a good piece of control and drive into the right side of the penalty area. Andy Craven converted from the spot, putting Harris’ error in the rearview mirror.

• 2. With the attacking issues Energy FC has faced, compounded by the injury to Wojciech Wojcik earlier this month, the play of Andy Craven throughout the club’s trip to Cascadia has to come as a major boost to the club’s confidence. Craven notched his first assist of the season in addition to another clinical finish from the penalty spot for his fourth goal of the season, but the former Seattle Sounders FC striker is providing more than just goals as his overall work-rate is making him a handful for opposing defenses. Craven had an outstanding start to his career with Sounders FC 2 in the first half of 2015. After a serious injury curtailed that season, he’s looking like he’s close to his best again.

• 3. With both teams coming into the game sitting outside the playoff places in the Western Conference, a draw was probably the least desired outcome for both, but with the way the game played out it will end up being a satisfactory result for both WFC2 and Energy FC. Completing a nine-day, three-game trip through Cascadia, OKC might be the more disappointed of the two teams to have let a lead slip twice to end up with four points from its trip, but WFC2 fought strongly throughout and deserved to take a point thanks to Thomas Sanner’s header. As the season reaches the halfway point, though, both sides will be looking for more in the upcoming weeks.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Andy Craven, OKC Energy FC – Craven’s goal and assist helped his side earn a point as he finished on the score sheet in all three games of the club’s trip through the Pacific Northwest.

Upcoming Games:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 – July 1, 6 p.m. ET, McLeod Athletic Park
OKC Energy FC at Real Monarchs SLC – July 5, 9 p.m. ET, Rio Tinto Stadium