Entering week 5 of the USL season Saint Louis FC visit the western conference’s only unbeaten team in Oklahoma City Energy at 7pm on Saturday.
Dale Schilly’s team will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss at home to Rochester Rhinos last week, however it won’t be easy as OKC have two wins and a tie under their belt already, and look to keep pace with Sacramento Republic in the west.
Oklahoma City, a second year team in USL narrowly beat Seattle Sounders 2 and Colorado Springs Switchbacks by scores of 2-1 in the past two weeks. However Saint Louis will take heart in the fact that OKC could only tie with near neighbors Tulsa in the opening week, a Tulsa team that STL took care of handily for their only win so far this season.
Saint Louis also have injury concerns to deal with as Richard Dixon and Brandon Barklage left the game early last week due to hamstring and foot issues respectively. The absence of Barklage left a hole in the Saint Louis midfield that the big Rochester engine was able to exploit despite the best efforts of the Saints. Schilly will look for more continuity from midfield to attack, this was severely lacking in the loss to Rochester which left the center forwards frustrated with their lack of chances on goal.
OKC who are coached by ex Sporting KC goalkeeper, Jimmy Nielsen will look for more of the same from Danni Konig who scored and assisted in their recent game at Taft Stadium against Seattle Sounders 2.
For fans not making the trip to Oklahoma City for the game, there will be a watch party at 7pm hosted by St Louligans at Itap in Soulard.
feature image via www.saintlouisfc.com
