(2/1) OKLAHOMA CITY FC vs. (10C) UNION KC

Central Region: Midwest Conference – Heartland Division 

Friday, June 13

7:30 (CDT)

Mustang High School 

Mustang, Okla. 

Watch Live or On-Demand on the National Soccer Network

 

If Tuesday’s dress rehearsal was any indication, Friday night’s National Soccer Network National Matchup of the Week between No. 2 Oklahoma City FC (5-1-0) and Union KC (3-1-0) is going to be a doozy. 

 

The Heartland Division’s top two clubs played to a 1-1 draw in a battle pitting the Oklahoma City’s prolific attack versus Union KC’s stingy defense. The defense won out on the night. For the first time all season Oklahoma City was held to a single goal after averaging 4.5 goals per game through the first four games of the season. 

 

For only the second time this season, Oklahoma City had to chase an equalizer after Brooklyn Marn (University of Mississippi 2025- ) put the hosts in the lead in the 7th minute. Narissa Fults (University of Arizona (2024- ) tallied her club-leading fifth goal of the season in the 28th minute. From there it was a defensive chess match, which will continue Friday in Oklahoma City in front of a national audience. 

 

“Union KC are stacked this season. They play an impressive brand of attacking, aggressive soccer and have enough talent to hurt you in a number of different ways,” Niall Crick, Oklahoma City FC co-head coach, said.

 

 

Ranked No. 10 in the Central Region, Union KC sits in second place with 10 points, six points behind Oklahoma City (16 points), but with two games in hand, making Friday night’s clash pivotal for both clubs. 

 

“Oklahoma City is a very strong and tactically organized team,” Dan Naidu, Union KC director of coaching, said. “They are tough to break down defensively and do not make many mistakes. 

 

Adriana Benassi (University of Missouri-Kansas City 2024- ) leads Union KC’s balanced attack with three goals on the season. In goal, Madison Sibbing (University of Missouri-Kansas City 2024- ) has posted Union KC’s two clean sheets, splitting time with Maggie Payne (Regis University 2024- ) and Maddie Meehan. Meehan earned her first start in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Oklahoma City. 

 

Oklahoma City FC enters Friday’s match with 22 goals. Along with Fults, who sits just out of the Golden Boot race with five goals on the season, Sabrina Guzman, Londynn Hagen, and Rylee McLanahan each have three. 

 

“What makes our team special this season is that we have multiple players that can catch the eye on any given night. They all play with a selfless mentality to put the team first and are willing to let others shine if it gives us a better chance to win," Crick said. 

 

“Rylee McLanahan and Narissa Fults will naturally draw attention, but we also have a 16-year-old in Londynn Hagan who should be on every college in the country’s radar right now," Crick said. "Our backline and goalkeepers also complement each other well, to give us a well-balanced side this season.”

 

Oklahoma City has conceded just four goals in six games, posting three consecutive clean sheets to start the season. The goalkeeper corps of Brenna Wooten (two start, one clean sheet, two goals against) (Oklahoma Christian University 2023- ), Callie Sullivan (four starts, two clean sheets, two goals against) (University of Oklahoma 2025- ) leads Oklahoma City’s charge from the back this season. 

 

Following Friday’s blockbuster, Union KC plays its second straight game in The Big Friendly with the opportunity to make up some points facing a 1-1-3 Side FC OKC on Sunday in the two club’s second meeting of the season. Union KC readily beat Side FC at home 3-0 to open the season, with Benassi, Allison Estanich, and Emma Thurston providing the goals. 

 

“We are always proud of our group of players,” Naidu said. “They approach training and games with the right mentality to make the season a success regardless of results.” 

 

Oklahoma City returns to action with an early Matchweek Seven derby match versus Side FC OKC just a day after Side FC’s match versus Union KC. Oklahoma City took the first meeting between the two clubs with a 6-0 road win at Side FC. The 16-year-old Hagan scored two goals in the match, and Rylee McLanahan, Sabrina Guzman, Evie Munn, and Macey McFarlane added goals in the Matchweek Four win.  

 

“We are happy with what we’ve done so far through 6 games, but very unsatisfied. There’s a desire from the ownership down to the players to achieve more,” Crick said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to push forward from here.”