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Matchweek 23 Report: The Playoff Push is On

By Tyler Vaughn, 08/20/18, 8:15AM CDT

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Another flurry of goals, another victory and only a two-point gap from a playoff spot – matchweek 23 could hardly have gone better. Energy FC got the job done away to Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday night and handed the hosts just their second loss at home this season. Christian Volesky had a brace of the highest quality, and with two assists, Jose Barril threw his name in the hat to be on the USL's Team of the Week again. With Alex Dixon and Adam Jahn both getting on the scoresheet as well, the team’s latest performance went about as well as anyone could have hoped.

After missing a couple of chances he’d probably like to have back, Volesky opened the scoring with a finish that will surely make him a contender for the USL’s Goal of the Week. It’s the mark of a true, confident striker to brush off missed shots and find the composure to make the next opportunity count.

Not to be outdone just two minutes later, the second goal on the night, another in the ever-growing list of Barril to Dixon goals, was just as impressive. Barril, the architect, found Dixon over the top of the defense with an inch-perfect pass. Dixon brought it down with one touch and rifled a shot past RGV goalkeeper Nicolas Corti at his near post with such ferocity that the keeper had no chance despite it being so close to him.

On the Greens’ third goal, Dixon turned provider with a pinpoint cross from the right wing. Volesky, doing what good strikers do, was able to anticipate the flight of the ball before the defender, get his foot to the ball before it could be cleared away and guide it into the back post with his weaker foot. It was the type of goal that looked much easier to execute than it actually was.

Volesky, with his ninth goal (eighth with OKC), and Dixon, with his eighth, look to be in a two-man race for Energy FC’s leading scorer this season. Each time one scores, it seems like the other immediately responds with a goal as if to say, “anything you can do, I can do better.” Although, we know that these guys have their eyes on one thing – making the playoffs.

Jahn, who is always a handful for defenses, was the last OKC player to get in on the scoring, and it came through another excellent bit of play. Richard Dixon, the first-half substitute for the injured Christian Ibeagha, found Jahn streaking behind the RGV defense with a top-class long ball. Jahn’s first-time attempt was batted away by Corti, but the striker kept his composure to tuck away the rebound from a tight angle with two defenders between the ball and the goal. It was nice to see the no. 9 rewarded for all of the work he does off the ball. He must be a nightmare for opponents – not only because he’s a scoring threat himself, but because he requires so much attention and frees up the rest of the attack.

While the front three look to be firing on all cylinders, that likely wouldn’t be the case if it weren’t for the play of Barril. The Spaniard, now with seven assists on the season, is in fine form and just about every time he has the ball, OKC creates a chance. His passing is so precise and his vision is so good, he could have easily had another hat trick of assists this week if another opportunity here or there had been converted.

While the defense will be unhappy giving up two goals, it was a fairly comfortable night and they could have easily kept a clean sheet. RGV’s goal in first half stoppage time was really the only clear-cut chance the Toros created on the night, and the Greens were a little unlucky to concede with the ball bouncing around the box before being bundled home. The Toros’ second goal came via one of the softer penalty decisions you’ll see all season, so no one is going to dwell on that too much.

If there was anything to regret about Saturday, it’s undoubtedly the injury to Christian Ibeagha. The right back pulled up after ten minutes with what looked like a hamstring injury. There’s no word on the extent of the injury at this time, but even the most minor of hamstring strains can keep a player out for a couple of weeks.

This is exactly why a deep roster can be so beneficial. Christian is a very important player, but having someone with the quality and experience of Richard Dixon come off the bench probably didn’t worry too many Energy fans – especially when he’s dropping dimes like he’s Barril.

Head Coach Steve Cooke and his coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for getting this side to settle and gel over the course of the season, and the gaffer is still bolstering the squad to make a playoff push. New signing Marco Bustos made his debut at RGV and nearly opened his goal-scoring account, but a good save from Corti prevented that from happening. Still, the former Vancouver Whitecaps man looked every bit as talented as his resume would suggest, and he will surely provide even more depth to an already-stacked squad.

A goal that seemed to be slipping out of reach a couple of weeks ago following the losses to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and San Antonio FC now seems incredibly achievable with the team in this form. Energy FC sit in 11th in the Western Conference following week 23, just two points behind 8th place San Antonio.

Despite SAFC still having three games in hand and OKC having a fairly-difficult run-in, you can’t bet against a team that’s playing this well at the moment. Confidence has been high for a while, but with the front four clicking like they are and the defense looking rock-solid, there will be few opponents that will fancy their chances against the Greens.

Check back here on Thursday for a preview of Energy FC’s penultimate home match against Seattle Sounders FC 2 this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Taft Stadium.

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