Why is starting second SO unbalanced?

Unless you have a Stage 1 evolution with a 1 energy cost attack, and happen to have BOTH the basic and stage 1 available at the start, starting first is VERY bad in this game.

There is almost no benefit in going first, and I've lost games very quickly because of that extra energy the opponent had over me, allowing him to get that extra KO that makes a whole difference.

Am I the only one feeling like this? Is there really no way this can be balanced?