The match started slow as both sides struggled to move the ball because of the wet playing surface. Republic FC had the first look at goal in the 11th minute when midfielder George Fochive had an open shot from just outside the box but the ball sailed well over the goal.
Despite dominating possession for most of the first half, Republic FC could not find the back of the net.
Republic FC’s best chance of the first half came in the 41st minute when midfielder Rodrigo Lopez took a free kick from about 25 yards away. Lopez’s kick look destined for the upper left hand corner of the goal but was stopped by Energy FC keeper Jon Kempin.
The half ended scoreless. Republic FC came out strong in the first part of the second half and had their best chance of a goal in the 52nd minute. Midfielder Steven Evans found Carlos Martinez who steadied himself and fired a shot. The shot hit the bottom of the cross bar and bounced away from goal.
Martinez’s shot seemed to put life into Energy FC, who did not waste anytime and scored less than a minute later. In the 53rd minute, Energy FC took the lead off an Adda Djeziri corner kick. Djeziri drove the corner to the back post where a leaping Mark Howard was able to head the ball into the lower right corner of the goal to put Energy FC ahead 1-0.
Republic FC tried to answer back quickly. In the 57th minute Rodrigo Lopez took a free kick from just inside the centerline which looked like it might sneak into the upper left corner of the goal but was deflected by a high-flying Kempin.
Energy FC struck again in the 67th minute when Steven Perry drew Republic FC’s defense toward the middle. Perry then dumped the ball off to a streaking Mikey Lopez who took the ball on the right side of the box and curved the ball around a diving Dominik Jakubek and into the left side of the goal putting Energy FC ahead 2-0.
Republic FC would push to find a goal but were unable to get a strong look as Energy FC subbed an extra defender into the match.
“In these games if you don’t finish your chances, they come back to haunt you,” said Martinez of the match. “We were the better team, we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”
With the loss Republic FC moves to 8-5-2 on the season and 0-2-0 against Energy FC. Republic FC will look to rebound from the loss on Friday, July 4 at Bonney Field when they take on the Orange County Blues FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm PST and will feature fireworks following the match.
Photos courtesy: Energy FC/Steven Christy
Oklahoma City Energy FC 2:0 Sacramento Republic FC
Pribil Stadium– Oklahoma City, OK
June 28, 2014 – Attendance: 3,643
Scoring Summary: Mark Howard (Adda Djeziri) 53, Mikey Lopez (Steven Perry) 67.
Misconduct Summary: OKC – Mark Howard (caution) 35, Gareth Evans (caution) 56; SRFC – George Fochive (caution) 64.
Oklahoma City Energy FC – Jon Kempin (Samir Badr 77); Kyle Miller, Gareth Evans, Mark Howard, Peabo Doue; Mikey Lopez, Michael Thoms; David Leichty (Paul Wyatt 60), Adda Djeziri (Steven Perry 60), Abraham Villon (Dan Delgado 60); Kyle Grieg (Cyprian Hedrick 83).
Sacramento Republic FC – Dominik Jakubek; Emrah Klimenta, Mickey Daly, Nemanja Vukovic, Powell; Steven Evans (Max Alvarez 65), George Fochive, Carlos Martinez (Dakota Collins 81), Rodrigo Lopez; Justin Braun (Tommy Thompson 60), Gabe Gissie (Adam Jahn 57).
