Week 8 Recap

Energy FC (9th, 11 points) earned a hard-fought point away from home in the first Black Gold Derby of 2019 last Saturday. Omar Gordon’s headed goal from an Alexy Bosetti free kick canceled out Janu Silva’s opener for Tulsa Roughnecks FC. After ending the night with 16 shots, the Greens will feel a little disappointed to not come away with all three points, especially after great chances from Christian Eissele, Cordell Cato and Deshorn Brown all narrowly missed finding the back of the net. Still, a point away from home, especially in a derby against a good Tulsa side, is never a bad thing.

Head Coach Steve Cooke opted for the same starting XI for the third match in a row last week, but there was one change to the team sheet: Deshorn Brown returned from injury to make a second-half substitute appearance. Brown came inches from scoring the match-winner in the 88th minute, but his shot just missed at the near post.

Week 9 Opposition

The Greens return home in Week 9 to face the Tacoma Defiance (18th, 6 points), formerly known as the Seattle Sounders 2. While the Defiance currently sit bottom of the table, their two wins have come against Rio Grande Valley FC and Sacramento Republic FC, who are in 4th and 6th place, respectively. The Tacoma team that beat Sacramento featured several players from the Seattle Sounders, the Defiance’s MLS affiliate. As Energy FC have experienced many times over the years, there's always a possibility of sending down some first team players any time you face a “2” team, and that prospect can make preparation difficult.

That unpredictability in the lineup is part of the reason why veteran defender Kyle Hyland is more focused on what Energy FC are doing and not the opposition.

“We’re not as concerned about the other team. We’re focused on the way we’re playing and building on what we’ve put together the past two games. As long as we continue to move upwards, that will be our focus rather than what Tacoma is going to bring.”

The win over Sacramento on April 1 was the last time Tacoma picked up any points, as the last four matches, all on the road, have all ended in losses by a combined score of 16-0, including a 3-0 defeat in San Antonio last Friday.

OKC and Tacoma split the season series in 2018, with the Defiance/S2 winning 2-1 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma and Energy FC winning 3-0 at Taft Stadium. In eight meetings all time, neither team has recorded a win away at the other’s stadium, with Energy FC winning three and drawing one in OKC and Tacoma doing the same at home.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CDT at Taft Stadium, and tickets are available at energyfc.com/may4 or by calling 235-KICK.