Photo courtesy Steven Christy/OKC Energy FC
OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC defender Richard Dixon was whistled for a handball in the penalty area in the 86th minute of a matchup with the visiting Swope Park Rangers at Taft Stadium on Saturday, and it was Hadji Barry who stepped up and delivered the only goal in a 1-0 Rangers victory. The strike was the second in as many matches for Barry who buried his penalty inside the left post despite a diving effort from OKC keeper Matt Van Oekel. The goal came against a procession of play that had seen most of the pressure applied at the opposite end of the field, but the lack of a finishing touch led to the seventh straight loss for Energy FC (1-7-0, 3pts) – four of which have come at home. The most glaring missed opportunity came in the 65th minute when Jose Angulo found himself on the end of a cross from Hugh Dixon but was turned away from close range by Darrin MacLeod. Swope Park extended its unbeaten run to five and now stands at 4-1-3 overall (15 pts).
Scoring:
86’ – SPR – Hadji Barry (penalty)
Three Things That Matter:
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Graham Smith, Swope Park Rangers – The defender loomed large in an effort that saw Swope Park withstand sustained pressure in its own third, finishing with two tackles and five interceptions while completing nearly 90 percent of his passes.
Upcoming Games:
OKC Energy FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC – May 9, 8 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium
Swope Park Rangers at Real Monarchs SLC – May 9, 9 p.m. ET, Zions Bank Stadium