Sporting KC has partnered with USL PRO clubs Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC for the 2014 season. As part of the agreement, Sporting KC will loan players to the clubs to play games and gain experience throughout the year. Each week, we’ll recap the performances of the Sporting KC players on loan.
Midfielder Mikey Lopez scored the first goal of his professional career as OKC Energy FC beat Sacramento Republic 2-0 on Saturday in Oklahoma City.
Jimmy Nielsen’s squad extended its USL PRO unbeaten run to six matches and jumped into the eighth and final playoff spot in the league standings. Homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin posted his third consecutive clean sheet as Energy FC improved to 5-7-3 (18 points) and limited Sacramento (8-5-2, 26 points) to one shot on goal.
Energy FC’s Mark Howard scored the game-winner in the 53rd minute, winning a header off a corner kick from former Sporting KC trialist Adda Djeziri.
Lopez doubled the lead 14 minutes later with an excellent strike from the right side of the box. He received a pass from Steven Perry and fired high into the left corner with the outside of his right foot.
“It’s amazing, especially since my parents are here,” Lopez said of scoring his first goal after the match. “It’s the first game they got to see me play in a long time. It was an amazing feeling to get that goal and seal the deal for us.”
Kempin was injured after leaping to attempt a save just before the hour mark. He stayed in the match until the 77th minute, when Samir Badr replaced him in goal.
Energy FC returns to USL PRO action on July 12 when they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1-9-5, 8 points) at Pribil Stadium.
Jon Kempin (OKC Energy FC)
The homegrown keeper kept Sacramento off the scoreboard before exiting the match in the 77th minute.
2014 USL PRO stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Record</strong> |
<strong>Goals Against Average</strong> |
<strong>Shutouts</strong> |
<strong>Saves</strong> |
13 |
5-7-1 |
1.38 |
5 |
37 |
Mikey Lopez (OKC Energy FC)
The 2013 MLS SuperDraft first round pick struck his first professional goal to seal the win on Saturday.
2014 USL PRO stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Fouls</strong> |
14 |
535 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
Christian Duke (OKC Energy FC)
The midfielder missed his second straight game with a stress fracture and is expected to return in three to five weeks.
2014 USL PRO stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Fouls</strong> |
9 |
608 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
