Another tough game last Saturday against Oklahoma City saw a spirited Saint Louis performance pick up a point in a 2-2 tie. Just weeks after the two teams played to a 0-0 tie in preseason, it was inevitable that the game finished even as this is the third game in succession where the teams have had to share the spoils.
There was a strong wind at Taft Stadium which helped Dale Schilly’s team in the first half. Despite falling behind early to a Sebastian Dalgaard strike after he was able to cut inside on the left edge of penalty area and curl the ball past a stranded Mark Pais. The goal left STLFC unfazed as they continued to enjoy the advantage of the wind and began to play some neat passing phases. Chad Bond curled in a pinpoint corner on the 21st minute. The Energy keeper was caught between coming to collect the cross and staying on his line and the indecision allowed Vince Cicciarelli to score his third goal in two games. Ten minutes before the break Patrick Doody sent in a 40 yard free kick into the box, the wind assisted in the play, and nobody touched the ball and it fell into the far corner of the goal to give Saint Louis a 2-1 lead going into half time.
Vince Cicciarelli. courtesy of Steven Christy / Energy FC
There was always the possibility that the single goal advantage wouldn’t be enough as the Energy had the wind at their backs in the second half. It proved to be the case as Coy Craft pinged a 30 yard punt which moved in the air due to the wind out of the reach of a fully stretched Mark Pais.
Despite only coming back from the four game road trip with only 4 points there are many positives for Schilly to take from the last two games especially. The win against OC Blues and draw against OKC Energy, two of the Western Conferences toughest teams last year provides proof the team is heading in the right direction. Five goals in two games is a marked improvement on the anemic offense of 2015. Vince Cicciarelli has come into the team and hit the ground running, and has been USL player of the week and in the team of the week. Along with other newcomers such as Tyler David, AJ Cochran and Drew Conner, the strength in depth gives hopes of continued success in the event of prolonged injury crises.
Brandon Barklage. It was so great to see him on the field again. Barklage who played approximately 35 minutes against Energy is a player who STLFC sorely missed last term and can walk into most teams into the league when fully fit. Barklage is akin to a new signing for this club. The trifecta of seeing Barks, Bond and Herrera on the same pitch at the same time has the fans salivating.
With a week to steady the ship and get more players fit before the home opener against Tulsa. Coach Schilly has problems of selection on whether or not to keep Cicciarelli, Maher and Bushue in the side after quality recent performances, or to replace them with marquee players such as Herrera, Tschuma and Dixon returning from injury.
Tulsa Roughnecks haven’t started well either, losing two if their first three games all at home thus far this season. Their main striker Sammy Ochoa will be suspended for the game since receiving a red card in their last outing. STLFC midfielder Chad Bond played for Tulsa last season and is eager to perform against his old team. He has repeated stated he had a good rapport with the club, coaches and fans and was a tough decision to leave. Although the Tulsa fans may give him some trash talk.
“I am expecting to get some abuse from their guys but, I know it will all be in good humor. I have no problem with it.”
Last season Saint Louis played Tulsa on the road early in the year and prevailed in a 2-0 victory with goals from Bryan Gaul and Jermie Lynch. This is their first matchup at WWT soccer park in league play. The game is slated to be close to a sellout and the remaining tickets can be purchased at www.saintlouisfc.com
