TULSA – FC Tulsa will be extra prepared for Austin Bold FC on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field.
Not only did head coach Michael Nsien and his technical staff have a full week to scout and prepare for the match, it was the second time they had done so for Austin after a match between the sides scheduled for July 23 was called off about 24 hours before kickoff. The result has left FC Tulsa itching to finally face the only team in Group D it has yet to play in 2020.
“Obviously, we studied them before, and we felt well prepared for that match,” said Nsien following training on Tuesday. “It was an away match, of course, but to [play Austin] at home, we should be really up for it. We wanted to score a few goals for our fans last week, so we will be looking forward to doing that tomorrow.”
It was a magical debut for FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field last Wednesday in all aspects but the ball going into the back of the net for the home side. A raucous capacity crowd saw the new era of FC Tulsa officially go up in lights…or fireworks…but didn’t get to see the first home win. Draws are nice to keep unbeaten streaks going, but more points will be needed to see out the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2017.
“I thought last game against San Antonio, we just needed a sense of urgency, a little more intensity in the final third, and executing on set pieces,” said Nsien. “Those were the differences. If you look at San Antonio and Austin’s game, both goals were scored from corner kicks, so we have to be very disciplined [when] attacking and defending set pieces. [We need to] use the crowd to gain some momentum and push the game over the edge.”
Midfielder Lebo Moloto was signed in the offseason to be a key piece of the offense, a creative midfielder unrivaled in the USL Championship for his vision and passing ability. He has two assists already in 2020 to lead FC Tulsa and to finally get in front of those home fans last weekend was a treat.
“It’s been awhile since we played in front of the fans,” said Moloto to the media at Tuesday’s availability. “It felt like a game, for the first time [in 2020] it felt like a professional game. And to do it here at home, [with] FC Tulsa fans was amazing.”
Moloto and his family are getting settled into Tulsa. He just purchased a home in the city and wants to be a foundational piece of the franchise for years to come. His decision to come to Tulsa was in part prompted by club president James Cannon who moved from Nashville to Tulsa in the offseason along with numerous front office employees and Moloto’s teammate Bradley Bourgeois.
“To be a part of this, of something special, of a new brand,” said Moloto. “I talked to the club president, and he explained to me the missions of the club and to me, that’s the reason why I’m here. I’m pretty sure the other guys can attest to that. I think it’s been amazing. It’s been amazing to be here. I’m thankful to be a part of Tulsa and it shows on the field. The group of guys that we have, everyone is in form and happy.”
The South African midfielder is right on the money with his assessment of the team as it rides a five-match unbeaten streak into Wednesday night. FC Tulsa is one of just four clubs in the USL Championship with a 0 in the loss column. A big reason why is the team defense mentality that Nsien has preached throughout the offseason and into 2020.
“The last few years, Tulsa defending has been towards the bottom,” said Nsien. “It’s something that I have concentrated on in the offseason, building this team. It’s something that we want to take pride in, and it’s not just goalkeeping. It’s our back 4 defending, it’s a collective, it’s the whole group. We know that if we don’t concede, chances of us winning are very high.”
Never before has a Tulsa USL Championship team kept three clean sheets in a row in club history. A shutout against Austin would add that record to the growing list for FC Tulsa in 2020. More importantly though are the three points that can be earned. It’s a classic six-pointer where a win by either side could dramatically shift the Group D table. A Tulsa win creates a five-point cushion on the USL Championship Playoffs line. An Austin win puts Tulsa on the outside looking in.
“They could go a point ahead of us or we could go 5 points ahead of them,” said Nsien. “We know that every time, in the league, it’s about trying to get that separation. They have us twice away still, so it’s important that we pick up our points at home because we can make sure we have them in the bag.
TULSA – FC Tulsa will be extra prepared for Austin Bold FC on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field.
Not only did head coach Michael Nsien and his technical staff have a full week to scout and prepare for the match, it was the second time they had done so for Austin after a match between the sides scheduled for July 23 was called off about 24 hours before kickoff. The result has left FC Tulsa itching to finally face the only team in Group D it has yet to play in 2020.
“Obviously, we studied them before, and we felt well prepared for that match,” said Nsien following training on Tuesday. “It was an away match, of course, but to [play Austin] at home, we should be really up for it. We wanted to score a few goals for our fans last week, so we will be looking forward to doing that tomorrow.”
It was a magical debut for FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field last Wednesday in all aspects but the ball going into the back of the net for the home side. A raucous capacity crowd saw the new era of FC Tulsa officially go up in lights…or fireworks…but didn’t get to see the first home win. Draws are nice to keep unbeaten streaks going, but more points will be needed to see out the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2017.
“I thought last game against San Antonio, we just needed a sense of urgency, a little more intensity in the final third, and executing on set pieces,” said Nsien. “Those were the differences. If you look at San Antonio and Austin’s game, both goals were scored from corner kicks, so we have to be very disciplined [when] attacking and defending set pieces. [We need to] use the crowd to gain some momentum and push the game over the edge.”
Midfielder Lebo Moloto was signed in the offseason to be a key piece of the offense, a creative midfielder unrivaled in the USL Championship for his vision and passing ability. He has two assists already in 2020 to lead FC Tulsa and to finally get in front of those home fans last weekend was a treat.
“It’s been awhile since we played in front of the fans,” said Moloto to the media at Tuesday’s availability. “It felt like a game, for the first time [in 2020] it felt like a professional game. And to do it here at home, [with] FC Tulsa fans was amazing.”
Moloto and his family are getting settled into Tulsa. He just purchased a home in the city and wants to be a foundational piece of the franchise for years to come. His decision to come to Tulsa was in part prompted by club president James Cannon who moved from Nashville to Tulsa in the offseason along with numerous front office employees and Moloto’s teammate Bradley Bourgeois.
“To be a part of this, of something special, of a new brand,” said Moloto. “I talked to the club president, and he explained to me the missions of the club and to me, that’s the reason why I’m here. I’m pretty sure the other guys can attest to that. I think it’s been amazing. It’s been amazing to be here. I’m thankful to be a part of Tulsa and it shows on the field. The group of guys that we have, everyone is in form and happy.”
The South African midfielder is right on the money with his assessment of the team as it rides a five-match unbeaten streak into Wednesday night. FC Tulsa is one of just four clubs in the USL Championship with a 0 in the loss column. A big reason why is the team defense mentality that Nsien has preached throughout the offseason and into 2020.
“The last few years, Tulsa defending has been towards the bottom,” said Nsien. “It’s something that I have concentrated on in the offseason, building this team. It’s something that we want to take pride in, and it’s not just goalkeeping. It’s our back 4 defending, it’s a collective, it’s the whole group. We know that if we don’t concede, chances of us winning are very high.”
Never before has a Tulsa USL Championship team kept three clean sheets in a row in club history. A shutout against Austin would add that record to the growing list for FC Tulsa in 2020. More importantly though are the three points that can be earned. It’s a classic six-pointer where a win by either side could dramatically shift the Group D table. A Tulsa win creates a five-point cushion on the USL Championship Playoffs line. An Austin win puts Tulsa on the outside looking in.
“They could go a point ahead of us or we could go 5 points ahead of them,” said Nsien. “We know that every time, in the league, it’s about trying to get that separation. They have us twice away still, so it’s important that we pick up our points at home because we can make sure we have them in the bag.
FC Tulsa season and single-match tickets are on sale now! You can still buy season tickets for our seven remaining home matches and save up to $5 a ticket by emailing tickets@https://www.fctulsa.com or calling 918-297-6808.
FC Tulsa season and single-match tickets are on sale now! You can still buy season tickets for our seven remaining home matches and save up to $5 a ticket by emailing tickets@https://www.fctulsa.com or calling 918-297-6808.
