OKC Energy FC ties Saint Louis
Oklahoma City Energy FC tied Saint Louis FC 2-2 on Saturday in front of 6,455 fans at Taft Stadium in United Soccer League play.
The Energy, coming off a bye week, got some much needed offense early with a goal from The second-year Energy midfielder from Denmark took a pass from fellow countryman in the ninth minute on the left side of the box, took a dribble past a defender and fired in his first goal of the season.
Saint Louis wouldn’t stay down for long, however. It equalized the match in the 22nd minute off a corner kick as finished with his chest to make it 1-1. Saint Louis then took the lead in the 35th minute off a free kick from
The early play in the second half seemed to point to another 2-1 loss for the Energy. OKC (0-1-1) fell to Colorado Springs 2-1 in the season opener two weeks ago.
But in the 60th minute, a fresh face provided a fresh spark for an otherwise lacking Energy offense.
an 18-year-old loaned to Oklahoma City from Dallas on Friday, fired an amazing volley from a little more than 20 yards out to equalize.
“I was on the right, and Konig got the ball. He laid it off, bouncing and I was thinking about trying to settle and pass it, but I just decided to hit it in the wind. Sometimes, you just get lucky if you put it in the right spots,” Craft said. “It was my longest goal, and it was with my weak foot. So, I’d have to put it up there for one of the best goals I’ve scored.”
The final 30 minutes played with heavy possession for Oklahoma City, but the game-winner was nowhere to be found. finished with three saves for the Energy.
Oklahoma City travels north of the border next week for a Saturday match with Vancouver.
RAYO FALLS IN STOPPAGE TIME
YUKON — Rayo OKC finally got on the scoreboard in its second game in franchise history. Unfortunately for Rayo, the Carolina Railhawks put up more goals.
Carolina defeated Rayo 3-2 on Saturday in North American Soccer League play in front of 5,851 fans at Miller Stadium.
scored Rayo’s first goal in team history in the 33rd minute. Michel added the second in the 52nd minute on a blitzing strike over the head of the Carolina goalkeeper.
But after the referee added four minutes of stoppage time, Rayo’s chances at a second straight draw to open the season were dashed.
Carolina’s scored a stunning game-winner in the 96th minute, leaving Rayo OKC no more opportunities.
“We should have put Carolina away,” Rayo OKC head coach said. “We should have buried them. But I am proud of my guys. They stayed tough all of the game, up until the last minutes. We should never put ourselves in the position to feel this way.”
took his spot in goal for the second straight match for Rayo and made three saves.
Rayo is off next week before traveling to Miami for a match with fellow-expansion side Miami FC on Saturday, April 23.