OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Whitecaps FC 2 (3W-6L-4D) return to UBC Thunderbird Stadium this weekend after a long week on the road. The young ‘Caps concluded their three-match-in-a-week trip with a 2-0 loss to red-hot Oklahoma City Energy FC (6W-2L-3D) on Tuesday night at Taft Stadium.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Danny Konig scored twice in the span of three minutes in the second half to hand WFC2 their second straight defeat and extend OKC’s winning streak to six matches in all competitions. It was also OKC’s third-straight clean sheet in USL play.
Tuesday’s match was WFC2’s fourth in 10 days, which likely played into head coach Alan Koch’s six lineup changes. Koch fielded a young starting lineup with an average age of 21.1 years old, including WFC2 debutant Erik Hurtado. Fellow MLSers Marco Bustos and Andre Lewis also made their first starts with WFC2 after returning from injury last week.
OKC controlled play and had the better chances in the first half, outshooting WFC2 11-6. Their best opportunity came in the 26th minute when Konig got on the end of a corner only to see his header parried away goalkeeper Spencer Richey, who made six saves on the night.
The young shot-stopper came up big again early in the second half, denying a Sebastian Dalgaard breakaway. A scramble in front of goal ensued on the resulting corner, but nothing came of it.
Finally, OKC broke through in the 65th minute when Konig blasted a penalty just beyond the outstretched arms of Richey, who was called for a foul in the box.
Konig added his second just minutes later, heading a perfect Daniel Gonzalez cross into the near post.
WFC2 weren’t without their chances in this one. The ‘Caps looked dangerous in spells, particularly early in the second half when Lewis came close twice.
They also had a pair of late opportunities through substitutes Caleb Clarke and Billy Schuler. In the 90th minute, Clarke got in behind but couldn’t beat onrushing OKC goalkeeper Evan Newton and then Schuler missed a 20-yard free kick in stoppage time.
It just wasn't WFC2's night, but now they return to UBC Thunderbird Stadium, where they remain unbeaten, for back-to-back home matches starting this Sunday vs. LA Galaxy II. Bring your dog to the match for Bark at the Bird.
Then, on Sunday, June 21, the 'Caps host Cascadia rival Portland Timbers 2 on Father's Day. Dads get in for free with a purchase of another ticket.
Tickets for all WFC2 home matches are available at whitecapsfc.com/wfc2tickets.
Come and see the next generation of Whitecaps FC stars as USL arrives in Vancouver. WFC2 matches are a unique and affordable experience for fans, families, students, and supporters. Season Tickets start as low as $118, with prorated prices available. Flex packs are also available to fit your schedule – get seven tickets to use any way you want, to any matches you want. For more information on all WFC2 ticket options, call 604-484-7862 or e-mail wfc2@whitecapsfc.com.
MATCH DETAILS
Scoring Summary
65' - OKC - Danny Konig (Penalty kick)
68' - OKC - Danny Konig (Daniel Gonzalez)
Cautions
55' - OKC - Chuy Sanchez
70' - OKC - Mikey Lopez
Stats
Shots: OKC 21 – WFC2 14
Saves: OKC 4 – WFC2 6
Corners: OKC 6 – WFC2 4
Offsides: OKC 2 – WFC2 5
Fouls: OKC 9 – WFC2 5
Whitecaps FC 2
39.Spencer Richey; 55.Chris Serban, 41.Jackson Farmer, 26.Tim Parker, 22.Christian Dean; 30.Ben McKendry (45.Tyler Rosenlund 65'), 38.Kianz Froese; 25.Andre Lewis (50.Sahil Sandhu 79'), 32.Marco Bustos (51.Billy Schuler 77'), 46.Brett Levis (48.Victor Blasco 71'); 19.Erik Hurtado (34.Caleb Clarke 79')
Substitutes not used
24.Marco Carducci, 54.Craig Nitti
OKC Energy FC
1.Evan Newton; 19.Michael Harris, 26.Coady Andrews, 2.Jacob Vancompernolle, 20.Christian Duke (3.Peabo Doue 79'); 12.Daniel Gonzalez, 5.Gareth Evans, 10.Chuy Sanchez (6.Danny Delgado 79'), 7.Sebastian Dalgaard (14.Mikey Lopez 58'); 22.Kyle Greig, 9.Danni Konig (17.Peter Toth 82')
Substitutes not used
24.Ray Clark, 4.Cyprian Hedrick, 15.Reed McKenna
