Tune in to My41 or ESPN+ to Catch the 6:30 p.m. CT Kickoff
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dating back to last season, there is no series that has provided FC Tulsa fans with as much last-minute drama as FC Tulsa vs. Birmingham Legion FC. From Marlon’s 88’ and 90+1’ minute goals to even the score and take the lead over Legion FC last August to Machuca’s 90+5’ goal from 45 yards out in the 2022 home opener to secure the 3-1 victory, this rivalry always provides can’t-miss action for 90 minutes or more.
On Saturday night, the two clubs meet up once again in the Magic City for the sixth all-time meeting between the Eastern Conference foes. FC Tulsa has had Birmingham’s number through the first five matchups, posting a 3W-1L-1D record against last season’s Central Division runners-up. As the visitors, Tulsa came away with a win and a loss against the Alabama side last season, but this upcoming contest will be FC Tulsa’s first in Legion FC’s new grounds, Protective Stadium.
A difficult stretch on the road awaits FC Tulsa, one that includes stops at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Miami FC following its match at Birmingham. Tulsa is only six points out of a playoff spot, and with three matches against clubs above it in the standings, the next few weeks present a great opportunity for FC Tulsa to make the move up and grab a postseason spot.
Birmingham is no easy test, but if history is to be believed, this FC Tulsa squad matches up well against Legion FC and has tended to break down its stubborn defense and walk away with points in the past. This is one you will not want to miss. Not to mention, who doesn’t love late goals in a soccer match?
Kickoff from Protective Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
Birmingham has been defined by its defense this season which has conceded only 17 goals through 19 matches, making it back-to-back contests in which FC Tulsa has faced off against a top-four defense in the league (Birmingham has conceded the fourth-fewest goals, New Mexico United has conceded the third fewest). Legion FC’s eight clean sheets, all attributed to goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, are tied for the fourth-most in the USL Championship, and Van Oekel’s tally ties him for first amongst keepers.
Its offense has been relatively quiet, scoring 22 goals in 19 matches. However, first-year Birmingham forward and USL Championship veteran Enzo Martínez has had quite the season, leading his squad in goals (6), assists (4), shots (29), and chances created (40). The club has lost only once over its previous nine matches as it has shot up to sixth place in the East, only two points shy of a top-four spot.
THREE NOTES FOR SATURDAY
1) Powder and McFarlane
In FC Tulsa’s last match vs. New Mexico United, midseason acquisitions Noah Powder and Sean McFarlane appeared in the Starting XI for the first time alongside the other with Powder manning the left wing as McFarlane patrolled the right. Each sent in three crosses and finished the match with a high passing accuracy percentage – Powder posted a 95% pass accuracy pct., McFarlane concluded with an 86% pass pct. Powder also won five of his six duels in his FC Tulsa debut.
2) The Two Teenagers
FC Tulsa has signed two young players to professional contracts since its last match – Luca Sowinski (18 years old) and Christopher Pearson (19 years old). Sowinksi was signed from the Barca Residency Academy after finishing as the U-19 squad’s top scorer with 15 goals and five assists in 2022. Pearson was signed from Cavalier FC of the Jamaican National Premier League and has capped five times for the Jamaican U-20 National Team in World Cup Qualifying, serving as its captain twice. Pearson was also selected three times to the senior team in Jamaica’s final window of World Cup Qualifying this past March.
3) Two Center-Backs Light
FC Tulsa will be without two of its first-choice center-backs on Saturday night. Johnny Fenwick is suspended for picking up two yellow cards vs New Mexico United, and Adrián Diz Pe will miss the match as well due to yellow card accumulation after picking up his eighth booking of the season in the same match. Diz Pe has appeared in 20 matches for FC Tulsa, starting 18 of them, and Fenwick is one of only two players on the FC Tulsa roster to appear in all 21 of its matches this season (the other being JJ Williams).
HOW TO WATCH
Fans in Tulsa can be sure to catch all the action by tuning in locally to My41 Tulsa, and anyone can stream the match nationally on ESPN+. Be sure to follow @FC Tulsa for match updates, highlights, polls, and more on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
