Two Late Goals Drop Roughnecks in Home Opener

Joaquin Rivas provided the fireworks on Fireworks Night at ONEOK Field in the home opener for the Tulsa Roughnecks FC. His brace put the Roughnecks on the cusp of their first three points of the season, but they conceded a pair of goals late and were defeated by the Real Monarchs 3-2.

The Monarchs, who won the 2017 USL regular season title, featured six players from Real Salt Lake’s MLS roster in their starting eleven.

The opening minutes of the match started in a very similar way as week one did for TRFC. In the 7th minute, Real Monarch’s midfielder Maikel Chang delivered a perfect cross into the center of the box. Midfielder Corey Baird was there to head the ball and bury it past Fabian Cerda in the bottom right of the goal to put the Monarchs up 1-0.

After the shaky start, the Roughnecks earned some good opportunities in the first half. In the 28th minute, Fernando Arce crossed a good ball to Jhon Pirez, but his header went over the cross bar.

In the 36th minute off of a corner, Arce’s left-footed shot just missed the far corner of the net.

Spanish Version

The Monarchs, who won the 2017 USL regular season title, featured six players from Real Salt Lake’s MLS roster in their starting eleven.

After the shaky start, the Roughnecks earned some good opportunities in the first half. In the 28th minute, Fernando Arce crossed a good ball to Jhon Pirez, but his header went over the cross bar.

In the 36th minute off of a corner, Arce’s left-footed shot just missed the far corner of the net.

The Roughnecks back line and Cerda stepped up big to end the first half. The Real Monarchs threatened with four corners in a row, but they could not find a second goal. Cerda also came up with a big save as he denied a shot from midfielder Sebastian Velasquez from the outside of the box to end the half.

The Roughnecks delivered their first goal of the season in the 61st minute to level the score. From the right wind, defender Paris Gee delivered a beautiful ball to Rivas who was there to finish from close range and even things up at 1-1.

Rivas was the one to deliver the Roughnecks second goal in the 83rd minute. Josh Morton who had just entered the game delivered a cross from the right corner of the pitch to the center of the box. Riggs Lennon was there with the header but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Rivas was there to finish the rebound and put Tulsa on top 2-1.

The lead did not last long for the Roughnecks as they conceded back-to-back goals late in the match. In the 89th minute, Chang crossed a ball to forward Chandler Hoffman who was there to find the back of the net from the center of the box for the equalizer.

In stoppage time, midfielder Charlie Adams scored from the center of the box to put the Real Monarchs on top 3-2. The late goal would prove to be the game winner for the Monarchs.

Despite the loss, TRFC Head Coach David Vaudreuil saw things he liked from his side.

“We finally put together a very good half,” said Vaudreuil. “In the first half we were poor at times, and I challenged the guys to step up the level of their play and their commitment, and they responded. That is something we can build on. They were a top team all of last year, and it looked like they have improved. I think we really showed something today. We showed that we have some quality, talent and character and it is something we can build on. Even in disaster, I try and find the positives and there are a lot of positives.”

TRFC is now 0-0-2 on the season with the second of three straight home matches set for next Saturday, March 31. The Roughnecks will take on Orange County SC at ONEOK Field in what will be the first afternoon match ever at ONEOK Field for the Roughnecks. First kick in downtown Tulsa is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Tickets for next Saturday’s game, and all other 2018 matches at ONEOK Field are currently available online by clicking HERE, or over the telephone at (918) 744-5901 or in person at the stadium ticket office.

Saturday, March 24, 2018
ONEOK Field – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Scoring Summary:
SLC – Baird (Chang) 7’
TUL – Rivas (Gee) 61’
TUL – Rivas 83’
SLC – Hoffman (Chang) 89’
SLC – Adams 90+1’

Misconduct Summary:
TUL – Pirez (Caution) 47’
SLC – Baird (Caution) 48’
TUL – Mirkovic (Caution) 65’
TUL – Lennon (Caution) 69’
TUL – Gee (Caution) 76’

Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Fabian Cerda, Paris Gee, Enrique Montano, Claudio Munoz ©, Adrian Jusino, Ivan Mirkovic, Michael Gamble, Michael Binns (Josh Morton 78’), Fernando Arce (Eti Tavares 84’), Joaquin Rivas, Jhon Pirez (Riggs Lennon 65’)

Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 3 Saves: 3; Fouls: 11; Corners: 5; Offsides: 6.