Energy Tops Rayo OKC, On To Fourth Round Of U.S. Open Cup

Kyle Hyland came off of the bench Wednesday night and eventually scored the winning goal as the OKC Energy defeated Rayo OKC 2-1 in extra time.

OKC Energy FC defended well in the first half but was tagged for a goal in the 42nd minute.  A hard shot from the right side of the penalty box by Richard Menjivar was saved by Energy FC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi, but the rebound found the foot of Billy Forbes who put it in the back of the net.

Kalen Ryden wasted no time in responding when he jumped into the play and made a run up the left side and drew the Rayo keeper out of his net. With the Rayo keeper committed to covering Ryden, he sent a pass back toward the middle where he found Sebastian Dalgaard who buried it to knot the match 1-1.

Both teams played with crispness and control in the second half, but were unable to find the back of the net, sending the match to extra time.

Energy FC had several solid opportunities during the latter half of the first stoppage time.  The best was a ball served into the penalty area by Pete Toth in the 99th minute.  The ball found its way to defender Kalen Ryden who got a head on it.  Only a spectacular save by Rayo goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes kept the ball out.

The winner came in the 107th minute when Kyle Hyland headed home a cross from Michael Thomas to give Energy FC a 2-1 lead and ultimately through to the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where they will face club affiliate FC Dallas.  That fourth round match is scheduled for June 15 on the campus of Southern Methodist University. 

Energy FC improves to 5-2-0 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup play and extends their unbeaten streak in all competition this season to nine straight (5-0-4).

Energy FC returns to USL action this weekend when they travel the Turner Turnpike to take on Tulsa Roughnecks FC at 7 p.m. at OneOK Field in Tulsa.  The game can be seen live on KSBI in Oklahoma City.