OKLAHOMA CITY – Coming off back-to-back wins against their biggest rivals and the Western Conference’s top side last week, OKC Energy FC’s players are riding a high going into Saturday night’s visit to Rio Grande Valley FC at H-E-B Park (8:30 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+), but with the side still five points out of the playoff places with nine games to go in the regular season the players know the pressure is still on to continue to string victories together and have a chance at a postseason berth.

“We feel great and that is to be expected after two wins,” said Energy FC forward Adam Jahn. “We’ve always believed in ourselves. We got a little momentum with the wins. We’re looking at each game like it’s the most important match of the season, because that’s what it is.”

With six goals in the past two outings, including goals in both victories against Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Real Monarchs SLC for Christian Volesky and Alex Dixon, the Energy FC attack has clicked of late with additions like Jahn – on loan from Columbus Crew SC – and New Zealand international Monty Patterson – who scored the game-winner on his debut for the club against the Monarchs last Saturday – adding options to the club’s forward line.

That’s going to be critical for success against the Toros, who despite their 15th-place position have lost only once at H-E-B Park all season, holding opponents to eight draws in addition to the club’s three home wins. Energy FC certainly isn’t underestimating its opponents, especially given RGVFC’s back-to-back wins over its last two home outings, but OKC’s players are hoping to draw inspiration from the 3-1 victory the team earned at Taft Stadium on June 16.

“Anytime a team comes to OKC, our goal is to put them on their back foot and we did in that game,” said Energy FC defender Christian Ibeagha. “Playing in their place will be tougher than being at home. I think we are going there to do the same thing and work to control the game.”

Hertzog had scored twice from the penalty spot previously in the season, including in Saint Louis’ 1-1 draw with its next opponent Fresno FC when the sides met at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis on April 7. While the season has been a disappointing one personally after recording 27 goals over the past two seasons, though, Hertzog is happy to help the side keep its winning streak as STLFC bids for its first trip to the USL Cup Playoffs.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Hertzog. “As a forward you always want to score goals, but most importantly we’re winning, so as long as we’re getting three points every game, I’m happy.”

VEGAS LOOKING TO BUILD: Wednesday night’s result didn’t go Las Vegas Lights FC’s way as it visited Orange County SC to kick off a busy week for the side, but there were still positives to be taken from the performance according to club Technical Director Jose Luis Sanchez Sola.

At the forefront of those was the way the side opened the contest, which saw Lights FC take the lead on its hosts with a well-worked goal that saw Matt Thomas find the net in the 16th minute, putting home his own rebound after his initial header from Eric Avila’s cross had come back off the crossbar.

“Tonight, all of the players will feel the satisfaction of having given everything,” said Sanchez Sola. “Our responsibility, though, is to keep working so that ‘everything’ is enough to win. It's important to convince the players that they can do it [Saturday].”

AROUND THE WEST: Tulsa Roughnecks FC has positive momentum after rallying to defeat Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Saturday at ONEOK Field, but Head Coach Michael Tsien is expecting a major test from Real Monarchs SLC as it visits Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday night. “It will be a big test for our guys,” said Tsien. “We expect the Monarchs to be at their best after coming off a loss. They are a team that rarely makes mistakes or beats themselves, and we will need to play a complete 90-minute game to get a result.” … Rio Grande Valley FC’s Jesus Enriquez is optimistic that the Toros remain on the right path despite two road setbacks in the past two weeks ahead of a visit from OKC Energy FC on Saturday night to H-E-B Park. “I think we just got to keep working the way we’ve been working,” said Enriquez. “Nothing specific, we’ve been doing things right, we’ve been playing well, and we’ve been actually scoring, winning a couple games. So, hopefully if we keep working the way we’ve been working, we will be fine.”