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Week 33 Preview: Finish Strong

By Tyler Vaughn, 10/17/19, 10:45AM CDT

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USL Championship – Match 34
Energy FC @ Phoenix Rising FC
Friday, October 18 – 9:30 p.m. CDT
Casino Arizona Field – Scottsdale, Arizona

Where to Watch

Official Watch Party
ESPN+
@EnergyFC on Twitter

Week 32 Recap

Energy FC will finish the season on the road after their chances of making the postseason were ended last week with a 2-0 defeat at home to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.

Week 33 Preview

Up next is Phoenix Rising FC, the top team in the league. The sides’ meeting at Taft Stadium back on June 22 ended in a 4-1 win for PHX with MVP candidate and the league leader in goals and assists, Solomon Asante, scoring a brace. Rafael Garcia scored the lone Energy FC goal from the penalty spot.

With Head Coach Steve Cooke announcing that goalkeeper Cody Laurendi will miss the match to undergo a minor surgical procedure, Bryan Byars will step in goal.

While disappointed not to make the postseason, Byars is relishing the opportunity to finish the season on a high note.

“We’re obviously bummed with no playoffs, but everyone is ready to work hard and make a statement. We want to push the team and ourselves on into next year. We expect [Phoenix Rising FC's] best. It’s dollar beer night where they haven’t lost. Our mentality is to go in and upset them and have one on their field.” 

Laurendi heads into the final week leading the league in saves with 105, nine clear of the Charlotte Independence’s Brandon Miller.

This will be the 12th meeting in a rivalry that dates back to 2014 with Phoenix holding a slight, 4-5-2 edge in the all-time series.

Coach Cooke will have a few more options to choose from this week with Alvin Jones, Je-Vaughn Watson and Mekeil Williams returning from international duty and Kyle Hyland returning from suspension.

Deshorn Brown leads OKC with 14 goals and Omar Gordon has the most assists with seven.