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OKC Gains Belief From Derby Victory

By CHRIS HOCKMAN – chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 09/18/17, 9:02AM EDT

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Into eighth place in conference, Energy FC ready for crucial trip West


Photo Courtesy Steven Christy/OKC Energy FC

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sunday was important for OKC Energy FC as it entered its clash with Black Gold Derby rival Tulsa Roughnecks FC not only offering the side a measure of bragging rights against its in-state rival but more importantly offering the chance to push into the USL Cup Playoffs places with four weeks to go in the regular season. 

Emerging with a 2-0 victory at Taft Stadium behind early goals from Miguel Gonzalez, the side drew some new-found belief heading into a vital period of their season which could well decide if it reaches the postseason for a third successive season.

“It was important that we got the win,” said OKC Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen. “We have a busy week coming up playing Wednesday in Reno and Saturday in Sacramento. It’s good coming into those two games with confidence and belief, so the game tonight was important for us.”

Derby victories can often turn a season around, and with the risk of being swept in this season's three-game series by the Roughnecks tension was high coming in for OKC. With the win, the players were already feeling confidence flowing ahead of the coming week, with those difficult road matches.

“I think it was a little bit of revenge," said Barril, whose outstanding individual effort gave OKC a two-goal lead within the opening 20 minutes. "We lost the last two derbies  and I think this game was everything for us today. This game give us some extra confidence as we prepare for our final two road games of the season.”

“We knew this was an important match leading up to it, not just because it was Tulsa,” added Gonzalez, whose fifth-minute goal opened the scoring. “Because of the position we’re in and trying to make it to the playoffs. We came in a bit slow in the first half but played our hearts out in the second half and got the win, which is what we’re looking for.”

Despite the 2-0 result things were not easy for Energy FC. The Roughnecks held two-thirds of possession in the contest as the visitors looked to get back into the game after a sluggish start. But for all the pressure Tulsa applied the Energy FC defense held out throughout the second half, restricting Tulsa to just eight shots, two fewer than OKC.

“It was a weird one tonight,” said Nielsen.“In the first half we scored two goals, but we struggled. We were outnumbered in the middle of the park. We thought about making some changes in the middle of the half, but we decided to make the adjustments at halftime. I thought in the second half we managed well and controlled well and had some good chances.”

Both goals in the match were impressive, but Barril’s goal was especially so, a phenomenal strike after a strong run for his first regular-season goal for the club. It could be a goal Energy FC looks back on as the moment the team's playoff push finally caught fire.

“I thought it was two brilliant goals that the players scored tonight," said Nielsen. "Fantastic goal by Barril. Fantastic goal by Miguel. That’s what we need. Soccer sometimes is strange.  In my opinion, I thought we played better against Vancouver but we didn’t get the goals. Today we played with a little less quality in the first half and scored two goals. It’s about the execution. I’m happy with the overall outcome.”

Now the side's attention turns to its final road trip of the season, where third-place Reno 1868 FC and fifth-place Sacramento Republic FC wait over the next week. As big as Sunday night's victory was, there remains lots of work to do to clinch a playoff place.

With the pressure still on, the players are not getting ahead of themselves.

“We have a tough schedule coming up and we need to get our minds right and set our sights on that,” said Gonzalez

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