Energy FC were unlucky to leave Kansas City with a loss, as a first-half goal from Hadji Barry gave the hosts all three points, despite the Greens creating numerous chances throughout the match.

Christian Volesky came closest to opening the scoring for OKC in the first half on a couple of occasions. A curling effort from the top of the penalty area just missed the top corner of the goal by inches in the 2nd minute.

The hosts also came close early on through Barry and Bryan Rebellon, but Cody Laurendi did very well to keep the match scoreless in the 3rd and 5th minute.

Volesky had another chance in the 19th minute after some good buildup play through Adam Jahn and Alex Dixon found the striker streaking into the box. Unfortunately, his volley sailed just past the far post.

Barry found the back of the net in the 26th minute after getting in behind the OKC defense and slotting the ball past Laurendi from a tight angle.

There was a bit of controversy in the 28th minute, as a pass back from Amer Didic to Swope Park goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas was picked up, but the referee deemed there to be no infraction.

Energy FC, who ended the day with 16 shots, had plenty of opportunities to level the match and potentially win. Jahn nearly found the equalizer in the 49th minute, after Dixon found him near the penalty spot, but the shot narrowly missed the target.

Dixon had a first-time shot just two minutes later from just inside the penalty area that also flew wide of the SPR goal.

Marco Bustos, a 66th-minute substitute, looked lively and created several opportunities during his half-hour appearance. In the 74th minute, he found Dixon with a fantastic through ball. Dixon tried to round Zendejas, but the SPR keeper got enough on the ball to force Dixon wide and his attempt into the empty net narrowly missed.

In the 80th minute, Bustos picked out Jahn with a cross into the box, but the striker’s header was tipped over the bar by Zendejas.

The Greens kept pressing but couldn’t find a way through in a frustrating match. Next up for OKC is a trip to the west coast to take on Orange County SC on Saturday, September 8. That one will kick off at 9:00 p.m. CST.