Energy Drops Friendly To NYC FC On David Villa's Goal

OKC Energy FC competed for the first time in 2016 Friday, falling to the MLS' New York City FC 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

The lone goal of the match came in the 23rd minute of play after miscommunication by Energy FC in the defensive zone led to a turnover. NYCFC’s David Villa picked up the loose ball on the left side of the OKC box and rolled a shot past Energy FC keeper Cody Laurendi high in the box for the 1-0 lead.

Energy FC had two chances in the first half. Early on, Sebastian Dalgaard received a long feed from Gareth Evans in the low-left corner of the NYC box, but NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders corralled Dalgaard’s turnaround shot.

Later in the first, OKC’s Daniel Jackson got a step on an NYFC defender and streaked up the right side, sending a cross through the NYCFC box that was just out of Danni König’s reach.

In the second half, NYCFC was primed to increase its lead after a penalty kick was awarded following a foul in the OKC box, but Cody Laurendi dived to his right and knocked away Patrick Mullins’s shot to keep the difference at a single goal.

Six new Energy FC players made their debuts with the club. Luis Martinez, Evans Frimpong, Kyle Hyland, Tim Janssen all saw their first action for OKC as late subs, with Laurendi and Jackson starting the match.

Energy FC’s training camp continues at IMG Academy, with the club facing Danish HB Køge Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 2:00 CDT.