STLFC Starts Two- Match Roadtrip In Oklahoma Saturday

Saint Louis FC takes a three-match unbeaten streak into Oklahoma this Saturday as the Chupacabras take on Oklahoma City Energy FC.

Kickoff on Saturday is set for 7 pm at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City. The game can be seen in the St. Louis area on KPLR 11 or streamed everywhere on ESPN+.

After the trip to Oklahoma this weekend, STLFC will travel to the western side of the state to face the Swope Park Rangers before returning to Toyota Stadium on May 5.

Last Time Out

Saint Louis FC (2-1-2) got an early second half goal from Joey Calistri to beat LA Galaxy II last time out.  The three points gave the club seven points out of a possible nine in the three-match homestand at Toyota Stadium.

Oklahoma City Energy FC (1-4-0) dropped a 3-0 decision to Portland Timbers 2 last weekend at home.

Who Starts Saturday?

Figuring out who starts for Saint Louis FC each time out has become a little bit easier this season, but coach Anthony Pulis might have a good problem on his hands.

Shortly before last week’s match, it was announced that Kyle Greig and Corey Hertzog would be unavailable for the match along with Wal Fall and Tony Walls.

Joey Calistri and Christian Volesky started in the two forward spots with the absence of Hertzog and Greig. The pairing results in Calistri scoring the game’s lone goal and being named to the USL Team of the Week. 

Coach Pulis made just one substitution in last week’s match. Tony Rocha was one of the ten players who played the full 90 minutes. Rocha’s loan to from Orlando City ended last Sunday. A report on Twitter said Rocha is back training with Orlando City.

Tune in to The Big 550 KTRS Friday night at 7 pm for St. Louis FC Soccer Weekly and you might gain some insight on Saturday’s starters.

Scouting OKC Energy FC

After beating Tulsa Roughnecks FC 1-0 to open the 2018 USL season, Oklahoma City Energy FC has dropped four straight matches. Energy FC has scored just three goals on the season while allowing ten through its first five games.

Two former STLFC players have figured heavily into OKC’s lineup this season, albeit in completely opposite ways.

Defender Richard Dixon has started all five matches this season and is one of just three members of the team to spend every minute of action on the pitch. The 28-year old Jamaican appeared in more than 35 matches for Saint Louis over the ’15 and ’16 seasons. He joined Energy FC before last season and was a key member of the team that advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season.

On the opposite end is Jose Angulo. The former STLFC forward has missed all of this season with a groin strain. An update on his status has not been made available, but he will presumably miss this week’s match as well. Angulo was loaned to Energy FC last July. He played in twelve matches and scored 4 goals for Preki’s squad last season.

Scouting Taft Stadium

OKC Energy FC calls historic Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City home. Originally built in 1934, the stadium underwent $12 million worth of renovations between 2013 and 2015, allowing the club to move in after playing its inaugural season elsewhere. The club is averaging 4,457 fans per match this season, an increase over its 4,293 last campaign.

Ticket prices range from $11-$51 for Oklahoma City Energy FC matches.  Season tickets range from $65 to $375.

Concession stands at Taft Stadium will be selling $2 cans of Corona Light at this Saturday’s match.

Assault On Fink Results In Donation To Down Syndrome Association

We’ve written before about Sam Fink’s time in Oklahoma City. Forward Kyle Greig also made 51 appearances for Energy FC over the ’15 and ’16 seasons, scoring 16 goals.

An incident from Fink’s time last season in Oklahoma resulted in a donation to an Oklahoma charity this week.

During the playoff match last season at Reno 1868, Fink was hit by an object thrown from the home side’s supporters section. A picture of a bloodied Fink was shared on Reddit after the match and the defender would miss his team’s next two playoff matches.

Earlier this week, Reno 1868 and their supporters group, the Battle Born Brigade made a donation to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma. Fink and his friend Addison were heavily involved with the organization through the Energy Sidekicks program.

The guys talk about a very important topic today: food. pic.twitter.com/2TjFcRKYbi

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) April 17, 2018

Louligans Continue Charity Initiatives

On the latest episode of the This Is Silly! podcast, the hosts revealed that the St. Louligans raised almost $900 through their Charity Du Jour program at the tailgate before last week’s game.

This past week the Louligans also got involved in sharing another charity initiative.

Wil Ohler, a senior at Lindbergh High School, was diagnosed with Leukemia on May 18 last year. To mark the one year anniversary of the diagnosis he decided that he wanted to donate 100 soccer balls to other kids diagnosed with cancer.

The Louligans shared Ohler’s plan earlier this week and the St. Louis soccer community has responded in a huge way. As of this writing, more than 200 soccer balls have already been pledged to the cause.

The St. Louligans will also be collecting soccer balls before the May 5th match at World Wide Technology Soccer Park to donate to Ohler’s cause.

Watch Saturday’s Match On ESPN+ Or KPLR 11

Last weekend was the first of a multi-year agreement between the USL and ESPN to exclusively stream games on the ESPN+ streaming platform. The USL posted a story on its website about the success of the partnership thus far.

This weekend’s game can also be seen in the St. Louis area on KPLR 11. It will be the third of ten STLFC matches that will be shown on the station this season.

The St. Louligans will again be hosting a watch party at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company.

$25 For Nachos And Beer On May 5 At Toyota Stadium

Saint Louis FC announced a special Cinco De Mayo ticket deal for the May 5 game against Portland Timber 2.

For $25 fans can get a package that includes a General Admission ticket to the match as well as access to a pre-game party in the Dobbs Pavilion at Soccer Park. Those who purchase the package will enjoy a nacho bar and unlimited draft beer from 6 – 7:30 pm.

The very important details: We have a twenty-five dollar all-inclusive food & drink ticket to STLvPOR on May 5th for you!

And the rest of the details: https://t.co/HH9fALDp2F pic.twitter.com/IB7kgzsQZp

— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) April 18, 2018

Tickets for all Saint Louis FC games can be purchased in advance at SaintLouisFC.com or by calling 636-680-0997.

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