San Antonio FC and OKC Energy FC played to a 1-1 draw in front of 8,131 fans at Toyota Field on Friday night, marking the club’s third USL sellout this season and fourth overall in franchise history.
“Fair play to OKC tonight,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “They set themselves up differently than they have in previous games. The first half was tight and they were hard for us to break down. The second half we opened them up and got the goal. You always leave yourself vulnerable at 1-0. Goals change games. Now we’ve earned the point which is important in this league, and now we keep moving forward.”
SAFC midfielder Billy Forbes opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after goalkeeper Diego Restrepo found midfielder Devin Vega with a punt. Vega made his way up the field and played Forbes in, who chipped it into the net past goalkeeper Cody Laurendi for the 1-0 lead.
The goal marked Forbes’ seventh of the season and first since April 28, putting him just one short of tying Rafa Castillo’s all-time leading record (eight), while Vega recorded his second assist of the season after recording his first of the campaign on April 28 as well.
OKC Energy FC came close to equalizing in the 84th minute when the Video Assistant Referee awarded the visitors a penalty, but defender Coady Andrews was denied by the crossbar. The Energy then equalized in the dying moments of the match when Miguel Gonzales capitalized off a moment of chaos in the hosts’ box.
The sellout marks the second highest attendance at Toyota Field in San Antonio FC history, and is the first consecutive sellout at the venue after SAFC drew 8,007 fans to its first international friendly against Club Santos Laguna (Liga MX) last Saturday.
SAFC will return to action on Saturday, July 22 as the club hosts first-place Real Monarchs SLC at Toyota Field at 7:30 p.m. The match will mark the first of two matches between the Western Conference leaders this season.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Billy Forbes (Devin Vega assist 52’)
Energy FC: 1-1, Miguel Gonzalez 90’
Disciplinary Summary:
Energy FC: Yellow Card (Sam Fink 23’)
Attendance: 8,131
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Diego Restrepo; D: Cyprian Hedrick, Sebasiten Ibeagha, Stephen McCarthy (Mark O’Ojong 82’), Greg Cochrane; M: Michael Reed (c), Devin Vega (Maxi Rodriguez 90’), Rafa Castillo, Kris Tyrpak, Billy Forbes; F: AJ Ajeakwa (Victor Araujo 72’)
Substitutions Not Used: Lee Johnston, Ryan Roushandel, Aly Alberto Hassan, Cesar Elizondo
Postgame Notes: