OKC’s losing streak continues
Phoenix Rising FC handed Oklahoma City Energy FC its eighth straight loss Wednesday night at Taft Stadium.
Jose Barril sulked toward the opposite side of the pitch, furious about being subbed off before halftime.
As Barril walked off he took an angry, swift kick at one of the temporary advertisement boards. It’s been that type of frustration for this year’s OKC Energy squad. Leagueleading Phoenix Rising FC scored two first-half goals, both headed in from set pieces, as it defeated the Energy FC 3-0 at Taft Stadium on Wednesday night.
At times the Energy flashed signs of the squad that had been on the verge of breaking out of its twomonth slump.
Yet it was Phoenix that appeared collected and in control throughout the match, picking apart Barril and the Energy backline both in open play and in set pieces. Joseph Farrell scored the first goal in the 15th minute with a farpost header off a free kick 30-yards away from goal. Six minutes later Mike da Fonte made an impressive diving header from the top of the penalty box off a corner kick for Phoenix’s second goal. Alessandro Riggi assisted both goals.
“First 20 minutes we lost the game,” Energy FC coach Steve Cooke said. “People know who they should be marking let runners go for free. Two free headers, and after that you are chasing the game all night.”
Phoenix had seven shots on goal in the first half and 10 total for the match. The Energy had none.
OKC, which has lost a club record eight-straight matches and hasn’t scored a goal since March 31 at Fresno FC, was close to ending its scoring drought in the second half.
Alex Dixon, who also had his club’s only scoring chance in the first half, was a half-foot offside on his apparent 58th minute goal.
Dixon then found space inside the box in the 66th minute and shot from 10 yards out. With his shot heading toward an open net, Phoenix defender James Musa jumped up and dangerously headed Dixon’s shot to the side. The ball, which easily could have been an own goal, instead trickled just wide of the left post.
“Second half we came out with much more steel, determination,” Cooke said. “Had three or four great chances but didn’t score.”
The Energy’s second half momentum abruptly ended with Phoenix’s Jason Johnson’s goal in the 75th minute, which occurred on a counter attack.