Energy FC will be feeling pretty good heading into Matchweek 12. A big win two weeks ago was followed up with a point away from home in the second Black Gold Derby of the season. Despite not getting the win, OKC was the better side again last Saturday and the overall play is improving each week.

A big reason for the improvement has been the performance of Christian Volesky. The recent signing has changed the entire look of the offense with his smart runs behind opposing defenses, good holdup play and eye for goal. Opening his Energy FC account and nearly bagging a brace against Tulsa will have the former Saint Louis FC brimming with confidence.

Not only are the Greens starting to create more chances from open play, they are also becoming more dangerous on set pieces. Jon Brown provided the assist on Callum Ross’s match-winning goal from a corner kick against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on May 19, and the Welshman would have added one or two more to his tally last Saturday had the finishing been a little more precise.

Reno 1868 FC are coming to OKC on a high after defeating San Antonio FC in week 11 and extending their unbeaten run to 8 matches. Goals from Mohamed Thiaw and Jerry van Ewijk were enough to get the 2-1 win in an open, feisty fixture, with the teams combining for 38 shots and 7 bookings. Thiaw, who also assisted van Ewijk’s goal, was just named in the USL Team of the Week for the second time in the month of May.

The last time 1868 failed to pick up at least a point was on April 14 in a 0-4 defeat to the Switchbacks. The second match during their current run occurred when Energy FC visited Reno and were beaten 2-0 on April 28. Goals from Kevin Partida and Lindo Mfeka proved to be the difference after Miguel Gonzalez was sent off in the first half. Reno 1868 have also yet to lose away from home, winning two and drawing four of their six matches on the road.

Head Coach Ian Russell tends to line his side up in either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2. He opted for the former in the victory over San Antonio: Marcinkowski; Richards, Carroll, Janjigian, Qwiberg (Lacroix, 79’); Partida, Fernandes (Abend, 75’); Marie, Mfeka, van Ewijk; Thiaw (Brown, 66’).  They played the same formation when OKC visited Reno, albeit with slightly different personnel. Reno’s leading scorer Danny Musovski did not feature against SAFC. Their leader in assists, Antoine Hoppenot, also missed out last weekend and has only played in one of the last four matches.

For Energy FC, Coach Steve Cooke stuck with the 4-1-4-1 formation, and the squad looked comfortable and fluid again against Tulsa. The only change to the starting XI was at center-back where Coady Andrews replaced Jordan Cano while the FC Dallas loanee was away with his parent club. Assuming no new injuries have occurred since last week, and if Juan Pablo Guzman is still sidelined, expect Cooke to go with the same lineup again.

With Reno 1868 clawing their way up the table over the past 6 weeks and getting into playoff position, they’ll be looking to climb a bit further and keep the momentum going. The Greens will be looking to continue their own unbeaten run and get a streak of their own going, especially at Taft Stadium. Volesky knows the importance of collecting points at home saying, “Home is where you take care of business and get those three points. We’ve got to climb the table a little bit, so that’s what’s on the menu.”

Saturday’s match at Taft Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT, and for those unable to make it out, it will be available to watch on ESPN+. Tickets start at just $11 and are available online or by calling 405-235-KICK(5425).