Oklahoma City Energy FC

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Michael Barrios, Ricardo Pepi lead FC Dallas to 4-0 win over OKC Energy

June 14, 2019 by Adam Uthe

FC Dallas celebrates one of their goals against Oklahoma City Energy FC in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas

FC Dallas (MLS) scored twice in each half and got big performances from both a club veteran and teenager making his debut to help the Hoops advance past OKC Energy (USL Championship). Winger Michael Barrios assisted on Dallas’ first goal and scored the second himself, while 16 year old Ricardo Pepi made his first team debut, recording an assist and going the full 90 as the center forward.

With seven goals in his first six matches to lead all USL League One goalscorers, Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez wasn’t shocked to see the youngster have an impact in his first appearance since being called up on loan.

“Pepi was Pepi. That’s why I gave him the opportunity.”, Gonzalez said after the game.

Pepi himself never imagined making his debut so soon, but he took it all in stride.

“I’m very thankful to FC Dallas for giving me this opportunity, it’s a good one. I was working hard for it, but I never expected it to come this fast. It was overall pretty positive; we can work a little better. It was pretty good.”

Michael Barrios was in the mood for @FCDallas, scoring one & assisting on another, as the Texas side strolled to a 4-0 win over @EnergyFC & into the Round of 16. (Official Draw tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET on @opencup & https://t.co/PMU8idXsT7).#USOC2019 | ? Highlights pic.twitter.com/jVLxoZEIWl

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 13, 2019

Dallas came out strong from the opening whistle, earning a corner kick just three minutes into the game. They got their second in the 11th minute and Hedges opened the scoring with a clinical header off the service from Barrios. It was Hedges’ fourth career Open Cup goal and his first since 2016 when he scored not one but two in that edition of the tournament. He is now tied with Barrios for the most Open Cup goals in FC Dallas history. Barrios’ assist was his sixth of the 2019 season, which currently leads all players.

Dallas retained a comfortable advantage in possession and nearly added to their lead in the 26th with a free kick from just outside the box but the header from Dominique Badji sailed just high and wide. OKC did earn a pair of free kicks in dangerous spots after that, but couldn’t capitalize and were made to pay.

Barrios doubled Dallas’ lead in the 43rd minute after getting a pass from Pepi at the time of the box and firing home at the far post. Halftime came with Dallas in complete control, having outshot the Energy by an eight to one margin. Gonzalez was asked how he kept his team focused in the second half, despite being so dominant.

“The motto is: score the next goal. Win the next ball…I thought tonight was a very professional performance,” he added.

At 16 years 5 months and 3 days, Pepi became the second youngest player in the Modern Era (1995-Present) to appear in a US Open Cup match. Only former DC United child star Freddy Adu (16 years 2 months and 1 day) was younger when he made his debut. Pepi is also just the second youngest player to record an assist in an Open Cup game, bested by Adu again for the record.

16-year-old Ricardo Pepi made his debut with FC Dallas in the club's Fourth Round match against OKC Energy FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas — 16-year-old Ricardo Pepi made his debut with FC Dallas in the club’s Fourth Round match against OKC Energy FC in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Dallas

The second half started with a bang as OKC Energy earned a free kick in the 46th minute and prior to the kick being taken, Deshorne Brown was handed a yellow card in the 47th for jostling a little too hard in the box. A minute later, Hedges found himself shaken up but he would return shortly after. Then in the 52nd minute, Dallas earned yet another corner kick and this time it was Badji, completely unmarked, who connected on the service from Jesus Ferreira to make it 3-0 Hoops. Badji stressed just how hard the team prepares for set pieces and was grateful for his teammate’s delivery.

“It’s a set play, so I knew he was going to hit it to me. It was a great ball.” he noted after the game.

OKC would go on to empty their bench with three substitutions in nine minutes, but none of Christian Eissele, Kal Okot, or Joshua Garcia could help the Energy break through with a goal. Dallas would finish as 4-0 winners, eliminating Oklahoma City for the third straight time in Open Cup play. The Hoops beat the Energy 4-1 in 2015, and ousted them in penalty kicks in 2016 to begin Dallas’ run to their second US Open Cup title.

Dallas’ Bryan Reynolds, making his first career start with the team, earned a penalty in the 89th minute and second half sub Reto Zeigler converted from the spot to send the home crowd happy with a thoroughly convincing 4-0 win to advance to the fifth round. Badji and Zeigler’s goals were their first in the Open Cup with FC Dallas.

Gonzalez, who played at Southern Methodist University as a college player, was happy to be back on campus.

“This is my alma mater and I have a lot of big memories here. I remember competing on this field as a player and now to do it as a coach is an honor so it was a great feeling.”

Dallas advance to the Round of 16 where they will return to SMU to host USL Championship expansion team New Mexico United on June 19. The winner of that game will will travel to play either Minnesota United or the defending Open Cup champion Houston Dynamo in the Quarterfinals.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: OKC Energy wins weather-delayed, back-and-forth shootout with Tampa Bay Rowdies

May 29, 2019 by Jordan Beech

Alexy Bosetti of OKC Energy FC celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2019 US Open Cup Third Round. Photo: Steven Christy | IG: @stevenchristyphoto

The fans that remained for the 10 p.m. kickoff from John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma were treated to an explosion of goals as Oklahoma City Energy FC dropped the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 4-3, in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night. A near two-hour delay due to severe weather, including lightning and tornado watches, kept the match from starting at the originally planned time.

Alexy Bosetti did the heavy lifting for OKC on the night, scoring one goal and assisting on two others, including Deshorn Brown’s match-winner in the 60th minute.

OKC Energy FC players celebrate a goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2019 US Open Cup Third Round. Photo: Steven Christy | IG: @stevenchristyphoto

With the win, the Energy advance to the Fourth Round for the fourth time in the last five years, which will earn them a fourth date with a team from Major League Soccer. The identity of that MLS team will be determined on Thursday morning when the United States Soccer Federation conducts the draw for the Fourth Round beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

It didn’t take long for Omar Gordon to draw first blood, hammering a low shot off the right post and past Tampa Bay’s Chris Konopka in just the second minute of action. Omar Gordon did well to get on the end of a long pass from Callum Ross before firing low from distance to score his third career tournament goal. It was the fastest US Open Cup goal in OKC’s six-year history.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as the Energy gave up a penalty kick in the 20th minute which Brandon Allen did well to convert under the outstretched arm of Bryan Byars. It was just the second penalty kick goal in Tampa’s US Open Cup history.

Tampa then capitalized on a fast break just four minutes later to go up 2-1 thanks to Antoine Hoppenot. The Frenchman received a pass from Bosetti on the right side, just outside the penalty area, cut inside to his left foot and fired a shot that beat the keeper in the upper corner just inside the far post. It was Hoppenot’s first US Open Cup goal since his days with the Philadelphia Union in 2012 when Freddy Adu assisted on his extra time game-winner in a Fourth Round road win over D.C. United.

After a long weather delay, @EnergyFC & @TampaBayRowdies served up a thriller of a Third-Round opener with the Oklahomans winning the day 4-3 & moving on to a date with an @MLS side in the Fourth Round.

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/75iDo6YUN5

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 29, 2019

Unfortunately for the Rowdies, the hosts continued their own offensive onslaught with a pair of goals in the 27th and 32nd minutes to claim a 3-2 advantage. First, Bosetti took advantage of a poor clearance by the usually reliable Rowdies defense, and curled a shot to the top left corner with the outside of his foot to restore parity. Bosetti followed that up by slipping a through ball into the box to Christian Eissele, who beat the keeper to put OKC on the front foot heading into halftime.

Rainbows appeared despite the severe weather that delayed kickoff of the OKC Energy FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies Fourth Round 2019 US Open Cup match. Photo: Steven Christy | IG: @stevenchristyphoto

Tampa Bay didn’t need much time after the break to tie up the match at 3-3, scoring in the 47th minute. A well-worked bit of combination play down the left flank eventually led to Zach Steinberger sliding a pass to Allen who notched his second goal of the match. It was Allen’s third goal of the tournament, and the fifth of his career.

Bosetti continued to do work and set up the Energy to give the home squad the lead, yet again, in the 60th minute of action. Gordon made a streaking run down the right flank before splitting two defenders with an early cross to Bosetti on the back post. The Frenchman then slid the ball back to Brown who launched a low shot against his former team to earn OKC the victory.

For Brown it was his first US Open Cup goal, since he made history with the Colorado Rapids in 2014. In a Fourth Round 5-2 win over the USL’s Orlando City SC, Brown became the first Rapids player, and the first Jamaican player in the Modern Era to score a hat trick. He was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Now, Brown will be on the other side of the David vs. Goliath matchup as his Oklahoma City team will take on a MLS team in Round 4.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: OKC Energy avenge last year’s upset, eliminate NTX Rayados

May 15, 2019 by Jordan Beech

Amer Sasivarevic of OKC Energy FC celebrates his goal in the 51st minute against NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

Oklahoma City Energy FC was able to exact a measure of revenge in the Second Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, dropping visiting NTX Rayados FC, 3-1, at John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The win avenges OKC’s loss to Rayados in the Second Round of the 2018 edition of the Open Cup.

“The way the Open Cup gets set up, you play a bit geographical,” said OKC head coach Steve Cooke. “Last year, I think it ended up being a great night for us because it changed a lot of mentalities in our locker room. In turn, that changed our mentality tonight.”

After a scoreless first half, Energy FC’s Amer Sasivarevic and Christian Eissele scored on either side of Christian Okeke’s lone goal for NTX Rayados. Je-Vaughn Watson put the finishing touches on the win with a goal in stoppage time.

Oklahoma City had the better chances in the first half and were unfortunate not to find a breakthrough in the opening frame. In the final 15 minutes alone, OKC had three chances, but were stymied either by Rayados goalkeeper Emannuel Frias or the post.

.@Ntxrayados bowed out of their eighth straight Open Cup early, going down 1-3 to @EnergyFC, who move on to face @TampaBayRowdies. #USOC2019 | ? Highlights pic.twitter.com/tEB0dWo7g3

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 15, 2019

Frias did well to make up for going the wrong way on a shot from Sasivarevic in the 30th minute, making a last-gasp kick save to maintain parity in the match. Energy FC followed that up with Kyle Hyland’s effort from outside the box in the 43rd minute that caromed off the cross bar before Alexy Bosetti saw his free kick from 19 yards out saved.

“These are not easy games, don’t kid yourself,” said Cooke. “They came here to win the game.”

OKC finally drew first blood in the 52nd minute after earning a corner kick. Alexy Bosetti teed up the corner, with Sasivarevic nodding it home from six yards out to give Energy FC a hard-earned 1-0 lead. For Sasivarevic, it was extra special to get a goal in his professional debut.

OKC Energy goalkeeper Bryan Byars comes off his line to make a play on the ball against the NTX Rayados in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

However, the lead was short lived as Rayados drew level just 10 minutes later. After being sprung free for a long run, Christian Okeke finished low to Bryan Byars’ near post in the 62nd minute. The goal would shift the momentum to the North Texas club’s side briefly, but they were unable to capitalize. Okeke, normally the team’s super sub, made a rare start in the game. Last year, he came off the bench in all four Open Cup games for the Rayados, scoring four goals, one late equalizer and three game-winners, which made him a finalist for TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament.

Sasivarevic, who was industrious all night, made sure OKC went up for good after getting taken down in the box and earning his side a penalty. Eissele stepped up to the spot and emphatically finished over the outstretched arm of Frias in the 81st minute to put Energy FC back on top. Watson converted on OKC’s second penalty in stoppage time after Omar Gordon was taken down by Frias Ramirez in the box on a solo run.

As a result of their win, OKC advances to the Third Round of the Open Cup for the fourth time in five years when they host Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 29.

“Any time you get to test yourself against the best it’s a good night,” Cooke said. “Tampa Bay Rowdies have a storied history. To get a game against probably as good a team as there is in the league right now is going to be great for us.”

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: NTX Rayados use late equalizer, three OT goals to upset OKC Energy

May 21, 2018 by Adam Uthe

NTX Rayados huddle up at their Second Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup against OKC Energy FC. Photo: NTX Rayados

Dallas-based amateur club NTX Rayados scored three times in extra-time and took down the visiting Oklahoma City Energy 5-2 in a wild Round 2 affair on Wednesday night at Richland College. Alberto Rodriguez and Christian Okeke each scored twice for Rayados while midfielder Lucio Martinez added the fifth. OKC got a penalty kick from Philip Rasmussen and another goal from Miguel Gonzalez.

After qualifying for the tournament for the seventh year in a row, Rayados have now won back-to-back US Open Cup games for the first time, and Wednesday’s win is also the first time the club has upset a professional team.

OKC looked the better side early on in the first half, earning a corner kick in the third minute that ultimately went wasted. Three minutes later, a free header was struck right back at NTX goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes Sanchez. The Energy earned another corner in the 12th minute, but failed to capitalize. A hard foul right outside the box by NTX gave the visitors an excellent free kick opportunity, but the shot went straight into the wall. As the first half wore on, NTX gained several spells of possession and the momentum swing back in their favor. In the 29th minute, OKC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel misplayed a backpass and nearly coughed up an own goal, but was able to clear. Then the breakthrough for NTX came in the 38th minute when Victor Pinal was played through and beat the offside trap, cutting back inside the box and playing a centered pass to Alberto Rodriguez, who produced a clinical finish. Rayados took the 1-0 lead into the half.

The Energy came out of the break looking like a team possessed. A free kick less than a minute into the second half went just wide of the goal and they kept up the pressure. In the 50th minute, Philip Rasmussen converted a penalty and a minute after that, Rayados midfielder and club co-founder Tito Salas was booked for a nasty challenge.

Lucio Martinez of NTX Rayados attempts to control the ball against the OKC Energy FC in the Second Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: NTX Rayados

Nine minutes later, Jose Barril played a perfect centering pass to Miguel Gonzalez in the box and Gonzalez struck it first time to beat Sanchez in goal and give the visitors a 2-1 lead. The rest of the second half looked like a stalemate that would see OKC through, but Rayados second half sub Christian Okeke, who scored the winner in extra time in Round 1 against Fort Worth Vaqueros, earned himself a penalty in the 90th minute and converted from the spot to send the game to extra time.

The two side traded chances in the first period of extra time and penalties looked like a real possibility until the 105th minute when Okeke capitalized on an awkward moment of confusion and beat VanOekel to the spot on a 50-50 ball and got just enough of a touch to get it over the goal line.

Three minutes later, Rayados were awarded a second penalty and Lucio Martinez, who scored a fabulous free kick in Round 1, calmly sent the keeper in the wrong direction to put his side up 4-2.

Not to be outdone, Rodriguez created some space for himself in the 118th minute and smashed a rocket of a shot that came off the underside of the crossbar and landed in the goal.

Admittedly, it has not been a great season for OKC Energy. They currently find themselves in last place in the United Soccer League’s (USL) Western Conference standings and coming into the match, they had just one win from nine league games. Rayados, meanwhile, feature a mixed group of old friends and Dallas-raised players who have gone off to play college and who came back home specifically to try and make a run in the Open Cup.

Alberto Rodriguez of NTX Rayados celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the match against OKC Energy in the Second Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: NTX Rayados

Salas, a husband and father of two with a full time day job, co-founded the team in 2011 with Alberto Rodriguez after the two had just finished college and were looking to continue playing at a competitive level. He had plenty of perspective to offer afterwards.

“We have family here (in Dallas). We think about it. We visualize. For us, it’s a win-win situation. It’s a win-win. A 2-1 loss would have been a win for us.”

Asked what the difference in the game was, he only needed one word to respond: heart.

Rayados find themselves in Round 3 for the first time since 2014 when they coughed up a 2-0 lead to the then-San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League (NASL). They’ll look to keep the magic going in Round 3 when they return to Richland College for the third time in as many weeks to host FC Wichita.

MORE: 2018 Meet the Underdogs: NTX Rayados

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Colorado Rapids pull off historic comeback in win over OKC Energy

June 13, 2017 by Jason Smith

Dillon Powers of the Colorado Rapids delivered the corner kick in the 89th minute that Dennis Castillo headed in for the game-winning goal against the OKC Energy FC in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bart Young/Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids (MLS) needed a dramatic, come-from-behind effort to defeat the Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) 3-2 in the Fourth Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The go ahead goal came off a Dillon Powers corner that connected with Dennis Castillo in the 89th minute.

The Rapids have been competing in the US Open Cup since the club’s inaugural season in 1996 and Tuesday night’s contest marked the first time in the Rapids’ tournament history that they have overcome a two-goal deficit.

With both sides missing or resting regular starters, Oklahoma City appeared to start the game content to sit back and defend, willing to wait for counter attacking opportunities. The Rapids almost made them pay early, when Dillon Serna had a rocket miss just wide in the 8th minute.

Oklahoma City’s patience paid off in the 38th minute when Daniel Jackson found Daniel Gonzalez to open up the scoring.

Things went from bad to worse for the Rapids when in the 40th minute, defender Bobby Burling appeared to take a knock on his leg, and headed straight to the locker room. The Rapids were forced to play with 10 men while a Dominique Badji prepared to be subbed in. Oklahoma City took quick advantage, with Philip Rasmussen scoring off another assist by Daniel Jackson.

At halftime, the lower division Energy had the top flight Rapids reeling with a 2-0 lead.

The Rapids came out from halftime with an increased sense of urgency, and found joy in the 49th minute when a Dennis Castillo cross found Badji at the top of the six-yard box to cut the deficit in half.

Oklahoma City dodged a bullet shortly after when in the 53rd minute, it appeared that Energy defender Kyle Hyland pulled down Rapids’ midfielder Josh Gatt in the box. Referee Karen Abt was not impressed however and did not call for a penalty kick.

The Rapids continued the pressure into the second half, and found the equalizer off a corner kick in the 66th minute when Eric Miller redirected a header from Alan Gordon into the net. The game appeared to be destined for extra time, knotted up 2-2 until the 89th minute when Dennis Castillo scored off of a Dillon Powers corner kick. The final whistle blew shortly after, completing the desperate 3-2 victory for the Rapids.

.@DennCasti with his first in burgundy and it puts us through in the @opencup!!! pic.twitter.com/UKUw4WtSI6

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 14, 2017

Statistically, the Rapids dominated the game, in both in shots (12-8) and possession (56.4%-43.6%) The Rapids also held a decisive advantage on corner kicks for the night, shutting out the visitors 7-0.

The Rapids move on to the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup looking to break a streak of 13 straight US Open Cup tournaments without multiple wins, a Modern Era record.

In MLS league play, they will welcome the Portland Timbers to Dicks Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night at 7 p.m. MT.

The Oklahoma City Energy will return to USL league play on Friday night, as they visit the Timbers USL affiliate, T2, in Portland Friday night at Providence Park.

2015 US Open Cup Round 4: FC Dallas ignores league form, dominates Oklahoma City Energy 4-1

June 16, 2015 by Adam Uthe

UPDATE: The Round of 16 draw was conducted by the US Soccer Federation and it was determined that Sporting Kansas City will host FC Dallas in the next round.

A wise man once said “Form is fallacy.”

That particular saying held true in Tuesday night’s Fourth Round US Open Cup matchup between Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas and United Soccer League side Oklahoma City Energy FC.

OKC was riding a seven-game winning streak, five of which were clean sheets, while Dallas hadn’t won a league game since early May.

No one told Dallas’ Colombian playmaker Michael Barrios though. He scored twice in a span of three minutes in the first half to help Dallas defeat OKC 4-1 in a “home” game on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja was relieved to see his team earn the win and advance.

“Obviously, it’s great to see the boys smile again and get a victory,” Pareja said.

The first half was an even affair through the first 10 minutes with both sides exchanging half-chances and Dallas holding a slight edge in possession. Then in the 20th minute, the floodgates opened for Dallas when Fabian Castillo weaved his way down the end line before cutting back to a wide open David Texeira for the opening goal.

Barrios scored twice before the break for FC Dallas to put the game out of reach.

Although Barrios stood out, OKC head coach Jimmy Nielsen was impressed with Barrios’ countryman Castillo, who was arguably the most dangerous player on the field in the first half.

“He was sharp. He was unstoppable,” Nielsen said.

Barrios scored his first goal in the 33rd minute off a rebound from a shot by Dallas midfielder Alex Zendejas. Barrios needed just three minutes to add his second to make it 3-0.

Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz gobbled up an OKC corner and then quickly got the ball up to Barrios, who turned on the jets and finished nicely at the other end just moments later.

Although it was probably little consolation to his team, Nielsen was pleased with the way his players came out for the second half with their heads held high against a quality MLS side.

“We played a respectable second half,” said Nielsen.

Indeed, OKC created some dangerous chances throughout the second half and earned a handful of corners before Danni Konig finally got the visitors on the board in the 81st minute.

That offset FC Dallas’ goal earlier in the second half, when Barrios set up Texeira for his second goal of the night in the 51st minute.

With the win, FC Dallas advances to the fifth round, which will take place June 30-July 1.

The draw to determine their opponent will take place on Thursday, June 18.

FC Dallas will return to league play when it host in-state rivals Houston Dynamo on Friday.

OKC will travel to California to take on Sacramento Republic in USL action on Saturday.

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: Oklahoma City Energy beat Tulsa Athletics as tournament returns to Oklahoma (video)

May 17, 2014 by William Schulz

In the first all-Oklahoma Open Cup match in decades (possibly ever), expansion teams Tulsa Athletics (green) battled the Oklahoma City Energy. Photo: Tulsa Athletics

A cool May afternoon served as the backdrop for the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in Tulsa, Okla. In front of 3,834 fans (the highest attendance of the round), the Tulsa Athletics of the NPSL were hosting the Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO) for the very first time as both teams made their Open Cup debuts.

It was the first Open Cup game held in Oklahoma since 1997 when Los Lobos (USASA) welcomed the Central Jersey Riptide to Tulsa for a first round game (Riptide won 1-0). 17 years later, the tournament has returned to the Sooner State.

In the end, it was the professional expansion team, Energy FC, who were too much for the amateur side as Dave Leichty and Cyprian Hedrick scored a goal in each half to win the game 2-0. The Energy now earn a spot in the Third Round where they will travel to Peoria, Ariz. to take on fellow USL PRO team Arizona United SC on May 28.

Tulsa started the match by attempting to outrun Oklahoma City, and earned themselves some solid early possession. All that possession fizzled out when the Athletics reached the attacking third of the field however, as Tulsa only managed to get one shot on goal through the entire first half.

3,834 fans showed up to watch the Tulsa Athletics and the Oklahoma City Energy play their first US Open Cup game. Photo: Tulsa Athletics

Leichty broke the deadlock in the 10th minute on OKC’s first shot of the match. From there, Tulsa’s composure began to waiver and the fouls became more common. The increased physicality of the first half culminated in the first two yellow cards of the match, issued to Kevin Howard and Ray Saari in the 26th and 38th minutes, respectively.

Tulsa began the second half with the substitution of Dave Leung for Levi Coleman and a more focused plan of attack. Physicality remained a part of Tulsa’s play, quickly earning them several fouls. Unfortunately, as in the first half, Tulsa just didn’t have any idea ideas in the final third.

Oklahoma City doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Hedrick fired home a Kyle Miller free kick. Tulsa’s composure crumbled following the goal, their play becoming even more physical and desperate.

The physicality of play intensified on both sides until the 76th minute when Dave Leung was issued a straight red after a vicious tackle. Things spiraled out of control for Tulsa from that point on, until Stephen Brocks was issued a straight red card for a challenge on OKC’s keeper while the keeper was on the ground in possession of the ball.

The match ended 2-0 in Oklahoma City’s favor, ending a 4-game losing streak in all competitions. The loss was Tulsa’s first of the year, and surely contains some hard lessons for the team of youngsters. Oklahoma City Energy FC will travel to fellow USL Pro team Arizona United SC in Round 3 on May 28.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FULL MATCH REPLAY