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A Look Ahead to Matchweek 1

By Tyler Vaughn, 03/14/18, 8:00AM CDT

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Energy FC heads into the first match of 2018 with high hopes for another strong campaign. Coming off a playoff run that ended in a penalty shootout in the Western Conference Final, the Greens will be looking to take it one step further this year and play for the USL Cup.

Quite a bit has changed since we last saw Energy FC play a meaningful match. For the first time in the club’s history, there’s a new coaching staff leading the squad. Steve Cooke took over the helm and looks to have the team performing well so far in preseason. In addition to the staff, 12 new players will call Taft Stadium home this year while the club returns 11 players from 2017.

Despite starting off slow in 2017, OKC was able to find their form later in the season, and they hit their stride at the right time going on to win 6 matches in a row prior to being eliminated in postseason play. A big part of the last season’s good form was due to Energy FC’s impressive home record – 12 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. Taft Stadium has become a tough place to play for visiting teams, and hopefully it remains a fortress in 2018.

In what was otherwise a fantastic season, the only real disappointment in 2017 was losing out in the Black Gold Derby to rivals Tulsa Roughnecks. Energy FC had taken home the wrench in the first two seasons of the Derby’s existence, but Tulsa were able to win two of the three matches between the sides last season. A win Saturday puts one hand firmly back on the wrench and sends a message that normal soccer service has resumed in Oklahoma.