OKLAHOMA CITY – Three unanswered goals helped OKC Energy FC erase an early deficit to earn a 3-1 victory over Rio Grande Valley FC at Taft Stadium on Saturday. RGVFC opened the scoring in the first 15 minutes when Omar Ontiveros pounced on a headed pass from Jesus Enriquez in the area and beat OKC keeper Matt Van Oekel from in close. After his side had surrendered the opening goal for the seventh time in nine home matches, Energy FC forward Jaime Siaj equalized in the 21st minute, firing into an open net following a turnover deep in the RGVFC end that left the defense scrambling. The sides remained level through the break, but in the 53rd minute, a Philip Rasmussen corner quick found Callum Ross whose glancing header delivered the eventual winner. Ross added an assist on a Miguel Gonzalez goal deep into extra time as the hosts put the result out of question. With a second straight win, OKC improved to 4-10-1 overall (13pts) while the Toros slipped to 1-6-7 (10pts) with a third consecutive defeat.

Scoring:

15’ – RGV – Omar Ontiveros (Jesus Enriquez)

21’ – OKC – Jaime Siaj

53’ – OKC – Callum Ross (Philip Rasmussen)

90’+7 – OKC – Miguel Gonzalez (Callum Ross)



#OKCvRGV: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

1. A difficult start to the season has left the Energy with a lot of work to do to climb back into the playoff picture but Saturday’s result was a vital one as the side opened a stretch in which it will play four of its next five at home with three key points. With three of the four remaining games in that period scheduled against teams currently below the playoff line – and the other pitting the team against a San Antonio FC side that currently occupies the final playoff spot – OKC’s end-of-season prospects may hinge on its ability to maintain its form over the next few weeks.



2. After failing to record more than a single goal in each of its first 13 outings of the season, Energy FC has now tallied five in the last two matches. A sustained attacking presence could go a long way towards reversing the fortunes of a side that has seen six of its 10 losses come by a one-goal margin this season.



3. Now with just one point from six road matches, head coach Gerson Echeverry and RGVFC will be eager to make the most of a schedule that keeps the side at home for three of its next four. The Toros have allowed one goal or less in seven of eight home appearances, including six straight, while Saturday marked the fifth time the side has conceded two or more goals on the road.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Callum Ross, OKC Energy FC – The midfielder finished with an assist and three tackles to go with his second game-winning goal of the season