Energy FC falls to Phoenix

OKC Energy’s first road outing against Phoenix Rising FC, the formerlybranded Arizona United SC, was one to remember for the home side.

The Energy was dealt a crushing 2-1 loss in a late Saturday night match that included two second-half stoppage time goals.

Oklahoma City’s Kyle Hyland drew contact from a pair of Phoenix defenders in the third minute of second-half stoppage time with his team down 1-0. He sent a left-footed penalty kick to the bottom right corner of the net for the equalizer.

The late score would become meaningless, however, a few minutes later.

Shaun Wright-Phillips finished one final charge from Phoenix and fired a shot out of Cody Laurendi’s reach to the bottom left corner of the net in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The final whistle blew before Oklahoma City could get set for another shot at tying the game and dropping OKC’s season mark to 1-4-1.

It was a tough break for the Energy, who couldn’t take advantage of a Phoenix club missing standout Didier Drogba.

It was also the Energy’s first match with 2017 newcomer Juan Pablo Guzman after he suffered an undisclosed injury earlier in the season.

Oklahoma City struggled through the first half, while Phoenix controlled possession for most of the match.

Phoenix commanded a 1-0 lead after Jason Johnson slid a goal between the legs of Energy defender Mickey Daley and into the bottom left corner of the net in the 51st minute.

Up next for Oklahoma City is Moreno Valley FC in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.

The Energy resumes United Soccer League action on Saturday at Taft Stadium against Orange County.