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Week 28 Preview: Six Games to Go, All to Play For

By Tyler Vaughn, 09/13/19, 8:45AM CDT

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USL Championship – Match 29
Energy FC @ San Antonio FC
Saturday, September 14 – 7:30 p.m. CDT
Toyota Field – San Antonio, Texas

Where to Watch

The Official All-Ages Watch Party at Guyutes
ESPN+
@EnergyFC on Twitter

Week 27 Recap

 A slow start at home to New Mexico United, cost Energy FC (9-9-10, 10th, 37 points), as the visitors jumped out to a quick, 2-0 lead and were able to hold on for a 3-1 win at Taft Stadium last Sunday. Deshorn Brown recorded his 12th goal of the season to extend his team lead. 

Week 28 Preview

Next up is a matchup with familiar foe, San Antonio FC (9-11-7, 13th, 34 points). Energy FC and SAFC have met nine times since 2015, with the sides playing to seven draws. The only win for San Antonio came last season at Taft Stadium, as the visitors left with a 2-1 win. The most famous match between the clubs ended with an OKC victory -- the 2017 Western Conference Semi-final. After a 1-1 draw after extra time, the Greens advanced via a penalty shootout to book a spot in the Western Conference Final for the second time in club history. 

San Antonio had been enjoying a resurgence up until their last two outings. Prior to defeats away to the Tacoma Defiance and Phoenix Rising FC, SAFC picked up five wins and two draws in the previous eight matches to enter the playoff conversation.

A big reason for the turn in form is due to the stellar play of Cristian Parano. The 20-year-old Argentine, who spent his youth career at both Boja Juniors and River Plate, recorded five goals in five appearances on his way to earning a USL Championship Player of the Month nomination for August.

Now that the latest Concacaf Nations League matches are in the books, Josh Garcia, Alvin Jones and Je-Vaughn Watson should be available for selection at the weekend, after the trio impressed for their countries.

Midfielder Kal Okot could be sidelined for a bit after being involved in a car accident last weekend that caused him to miss the match against New Mexico. There has been no timetable provided for his return yet.

Table Talk

Despite the loss last weekend, Energy FC still remain in playoff position. As most are probably aware, the Western Conference playoff race is incredibly tight with only eight points separating fourth place Sacramento Republic FC from 14th place Las Vegas Lights FC.

San Antonio FC trail the Greens by just three points and have a game in hand, so a result in OKC's favor is very-much needed this weekend.

Saturday’s match kicks off from Toyota Field at 7:30 p.m. CDT, and fans can watch live on ESPN+ or at the official, all ages watch party at Guyutes on Uptown 23rd.