Gonzalez scores late at San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO — Miguel Gonzalez already is one of the Oklahoma City Energy’s most exciting players.
He raises his dramatics to another level during nationally televised matches.
Gonzalez scored in the fourth minute of secondhalf stoppage time, and the goal allowed the Energy to tie San Antonio 1-1 on Friday night. It was the second draw this season between the clubs after a scoreless match June 11 in Oklahoma City.
The match was featured as the United Soccer League Match of the Week. The goal was Gonzalez’s second of the season with the other goal scored on a bicycle kick April 11 vs. Sacramento, another USL Match of the Week match.
Gonzalez scored after the San Antonio goalkeeper pushed the initial shot back into the penalty box. San Antonio defender Cyprian Hedrick, who played with the Energy last season, attempted to clear the ball above the goal, but it hit the bar and landed back at Gonzalez’s feet.
“We showed a big heart today,” Energy coach Jimmy Nielsen said during his post match interview with ESPNU. “It wasn’t always the prettiest, but the guys battled hard.”
Friday night was Gonzalez’s first USL match since he was suspended three matches after a red card in Seattle on June 24.
The Energy’s backline once again limited San Antonio’s potent attack, but former Rayo OKC forward Billy Forbes scored first in the 52nd minute. San Antonio caught the Energy with too many men forward from a scoring chance moments earlier, and Forbes beat Energy defender Richard Dixon 1-on-1 to chip goalkeeper Cody Laurendi.
Oklahoma City lacked scoring opportunities for most of the match, but it was awarded a penalty kick after San Antonio defender Cyprian Hedrick blocked Anthony Wallace’s shot with his left forearm in the 81st minute.
No penalty was initially called, but video assistant replay (VAR) called for a review in the 83rd minute and subsequently awarded the penalty. USL is testing VAR at select matches this season, and it was the first time the Energy had a decision made via video replay.
However, Coady Andrews’ penalty shot ricocheted off the center of the bar. The Energy are 1 of 5 on penalty kicks this season not taken by forward Andy Craven, who missed his second-straight match with an undisclosed injury. Craven is 4 of 4 on penalty kicks, all taken since June 16.