OKLAHOMA CITY – Jose Angulo had a hat trick as OKC Energy FC took a 3-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II to move five points clear of its competitors for the eighth and final place in the race for the playoffs in the Western Conference at Taft Stadium on Sunday evening. Energy FC’s Jose Barril had a curling shot from 20 yards out tipped over by Galaxy II goalkeeper Justin Vom Steeg in the 12th minute, while a good cut back from Jonathan Brown just failed to connect with Angulo or Alex Dixon on a low cross from the right 11 minutes later. OKC got a big chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Barril was brought down in the area, and Angulo slotted home to put the hosts ahead. Dixon missed out on a chance to double the lead in the 43rd minute as a deflected cross came to him in the left side of the penalty area, only for Dixon to scuff his shot and allow Vom Steeg to save. The Galaxy II’s Alex Mendez had a curling effort saved earlier in the second half by Energy FC goalkeeper C.J. Cochran, but Energy FC added to its lead as Barril stepped around his defender to drive into the penalty area and hit in a low cross that Angulo turned home from close range. A minute later, Angulo had his hat trick as Energy FC got in behind the defense and Miguel Gonzalez turned a pass back to Angolo to finish. The Galaxy II missed out on a late chance to pull a consolation goal back as Jonah Estrada sent his finish just wide on after a break down the right with two minutes to go, but Energy FC cruised home to record its third win in its last four games.

Scoring:
38’ – OKC – Jose Angulo (penalty kick)
67’ – OKC – Jose Angulo (Jose Barril)
68’ – OKC – Jose Angulo (Miguel Gonzalez)

• #OKCvLA: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Energy FC got a boost from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s victory against Orange County SC on Saturday night, and took full advantage with a comprehensive victory against the Galaxy II on Sunday evening that gave them a strong hold on a playoff place with two games to go in the season. OKC could have taken the lead before Jose Angulo’s 38th-minute penalty kick, but once the side was ahead it never felt as though it would be in danger of missing out on victory.

• 2. Angulo’s hat trick was the first for Energy FC since Danni Konig’s for the side in the 2015 season in a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Portland Timbers 2, and once again highlighted how the 2013 USL Most Valuable Player has become a key cog in Energy FC’s attack since joining the club on loan in part to replace the departed Danish striker. With 12 goals this season, Angulo might not match his single-season high of 15 for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds four years ago, but he’ll be a player to watch should OKC reach the postseason in two weeks.

• 3. The Galaxy II ended a trying road trip with another tough loss as the side just couldn’t quite find a way to remain in sync as it looked to break Energy FC’s high defensive line and get in behind to create scoring chances. Los Dos were caught offside five times as both Ethan Zubak and Justin Dhillon tried to use their speed, only to be stymied by the offside trap, and ended up with only two shots on goal as their winless streak ran to six games.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Jose Angulo, OKC Energy FC – Angulo’s hat trick led Energy FC to victory as he got good service from Jose Barril and Miguel Gonzalez on his second-half finishes to put OKC solidly in position for a playoff berth.

Upcoming Games:
OKC Energy FC vs. Swope Park Rangers – October 8, 6 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium
LA Galaxy II vs. Portland Timbers 2 – October 7, 10:30 p.m. ET, StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium