Energy FC (11th, 9-12-5, 32 points) are coming off of a 4-2 thrashing of Rio Grande Valley FC and will look to extend the three-match unbeaten run against one of the bottom teams in the west, Seattle Sounders FC 2 (16th, 5-15-2, 17 points), in Matchweek 24.

The win at RGV was one of the most complete performances over the course of 90 minutes that we’ve seen from the Greens in 2018. Goals from all three strikers, Christian Volesky (2), Alex Dixon and Adam Jahn, as well as a pair of assists for Jose Barril showcased the OKC attack at its high-flying best, and the time to hit top gear couldn’t be better, as Energy FC are now just two points off a playoff spot.

OKC and Seattle met once already in 2018 – a 2-1 win for Sounders 2 in Tacoma on June 10. After dominating the match, it looked as though OKC had done enough to pick up a first away win of the season when Dixon found the back of the net in the 76th minute, but two goals in two minutes from David Estrada turned the match on its head to give the hosts the three points. That result proved to be the last loss for Energy FC until the defeat against San Antonio FC on July 28 – an eight-match unbeaten run. Since the loss in Tacoma, Energy FC’s record stands at an impressive 7-2-4.

While the result in Cascadia seemed to motivate OKC to step things up, S2 haven’t kicked on, going on to lose eight of their last ten matches. Last Sunday, Sounders 2 were beaten by their rivals, Portland Timbers 2, 4-1. Joshua Atencio scored the lone goal for S2 in the defeat; although the statistics showed they edged, or were equal to, Portland in most areas, and the scoreline might not have been a fair reflection of the game as a whole. The main difference on the night was that T2 were able to capitalize on their chances, while S2 were not. Also, Seattle looked a little suspect in defense and allowed several sloppy goals that probably should have been prevented.

Sounders 2 sit near the bottom of the league (26th) in goals scored with 24, and they’re near the top in goals conceded (7th) with 45. If there’s one player to watch out for from Seattle, it’s Estrada. The striker leads the team with nine goals.

As if a three-match winning streak wasn’t enough to feel optimistic about the Greens’ chances of kicking on and making the playoffs, the attack is firing on all cylinders and the numbers back that up. By scoring ten goals during the current streak, the team has matched a club record over a three-match span. With five assists in the last two outings, Barril now has seven on the season, which is good enough for eighth-best in the league. He’s also just one assist shy of tying the all-time club record (11).

Speaking to Energy FC TV about his and the team’s form, Barril said, “The best part for me right now is that my team is putting in every single ball going forward, so it’s easy for me. Every single move, every single ball, the timing is perfect. Hopefully we keep it going.”

In addition to Barril, Volesky and Dixon have been incredibly hot and are knocking on the door of another club record. The two have each scored a goal in the last three games, and if one of them gets on the scoresheet this weekend, they’ll equal a club record for consecutive games with a goal. That record is held by Danni Konig and Jose Angulo, the former setting the record against Louisville City FC on June 27, 2015, the latter matching it against S2 on October 15, 2017.

In week 22, Barril was named to the USL’s Team of the Week, and it was no surprise that Energy FC featured on it again in week 23, with Dixon landing in the XI and Volesky being named to the bench.

There’s good news on the injury front, as it appears that Christian Ibeagha’s hamstring tweak is a minor one. After feeling a slight strain early on against RGV, the defender smartly asked to be subbed off as a precaution and is not expected to be sidelined for long.

With the Greens just two points off a playoff spot, every fixture is crucial in the final quarter of the season, especially with only four points separating 7th from 12th. At the weekend, there are several matches to keep an eye on.

Saint Louis FC (7th, 35 pts) v Tulsa Roughnecks FC (17th, 16 pts)

San Antonio FC (8th, 34 pts) v Swope Park Rangers (9th, 34 pts)

Phoenix Rising FC (3rd, 47 pts) v Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (12th, 31 pts)

Las Vegas Lights FC (14th, 26 pts) v Fresno FC (10th, 33 pts)

Saturday’s match against Sounders 2 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Taft Stadium and tickets are still available.