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Energy FC Stifled by San Antonio

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/19/17, 10:38PM EDT

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Neither side able to take chances in scoreless draw


Photo courtesy Steven Christy / OKC Energy FC

OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC and San Antonio FC played to a 0-0 draw at Taft Stadium on Saturday night, the third time the teams had ended deadlocked in their regular-season series. Energy FC had the first real look at goal in the fifth minute as Jose Angulo’s shot was comfortably saved by SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo. Just over 20 minutes later Restrepo had to be far sharper to deny an excellent chance for Alex Dixon, who got in behind SAFC’s defense on Angulo’s through-ball, only to be denied with a good low save. San Antonio almost took the lead in the 36th minute as new signing Omar Gordon controlled well and released Billy Forbes through the center, but Forbes sent his shot just wide of the left post after breaking in one-on-one with OKC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi. San Antonio’s Shawn Chin and Michael Reed both forced saves from Laurendi either side of halftime as the visitors threatened to take the lead, while OKC’s Sam Fink sent a finish off a cross by Jose Barril wide of the right post after a corner had been half-cleared. Energy FC also went close with eight minutes to go as Miguel Gonzalez sprang Kyle Hyland into the left side of the penalty area, only for the finish to find the left side-netting, while Wojciech Wojcik almost marked his return to action for OKC with a late finish that went just high. The game ended scoreless, however, as San Antonio returned to second in the conference standings.

Scoring:
None

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Energy FC tried to be positive throughout, but as has happened to so many this season the San Antonio defense proved too difficult to break down as the hosts were unable to take advantage of their best chance of the game in the 26th minute. An excellent pass and move by Alex Dixon allowed him to break forward unmarked, and when Jose Angulo found the right through-ball the chance was on, but San Antonio goalkeeper Diego Restrepo positioned himself perfectly to first narrow the angle, and then make the save to snuff out the opportunity.

  • 2. San Antonio kept itself in second place after this weekend’s action with Saturday’s draw, but given some of the chances the visitors created, they’ll be disappointed not to have taken all three points back to Texas. The biggest opportunity for either side highlighted what Jamaican international Omar Gordon could bring to the side, as he controlled well to set up Billy Forbes on a breakaway, but the Turks & Caicos international uncharacteristically shot wide of the left post in his one-on-one with OKC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi.

  • 3. As with their previous two meetings this season, Saturday’s clash was a tight one between the Red River rivals, but of the two Energy FC looked the more likely to grab all three points as the game went into the final 15 minutes. After recording only three touches in the San Antonio penalty area in the opening 75 minutes of the game, Energy FC began finding much greater penetration, and it almost paid off. Instead, the hosts had to settle for a point, which while moving the side back into the top eight of the Western Conference as we head to Week 23 still leaves the door open for the likes of Orange County SC below them. OCSC happens to be OKC’s next opponent next Friday night, a game that now has even more playoff implications than when the weekend began.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sam Fink, OKC Energy FC – Fink led a solid defensive display for OKC, recording three tackles, two interceptions and four clearances for the hosts.

Upcoming Games:
OKC Energy FC
at Orange County SC – August 25, 10:30 p.m. ET, Champions Soccer Stadium
San Antonio FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – August 23, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field

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