AUSTIN – In soccer, some matches are commonly referred to as a “six-pointer.” That is to say that a win for one club would not only earn it three points, but it would also “take” three points away from another club in similar position in the table.
But what is it called when teams have two six-pointers back-to-back? That’s the situation FC Tulsa and Austin Bold FC are in currently, with the second match of a double header set to kickoff tonight at 8 p.m. from Bold Stadium. Neither club took the “six points” from match one, but the trajectory for each team in the last five matches of the season comes down to what happens Tuesday night.
“Saturday was a pretty back-and-forth game,” midfielder Eric Bird said. “The intensity was high the entire time. You could feel that both teams have a lot on the line with this matchup. We are looking forward to getting back out there again on Tuesday.”
Saturday’s matchup was truly and end-to-end affair, as both teams were playing like it was the last 90 minutes of the season.
“We all have a bit of a bitter taste in our mouth,” goalkeeper Sean Lewis said. “We came here expecting a little more out of ourselves. We came here with the goal of winning both games. The draw isn’t the end of the world. We have another chance Tuesday to separate ourselves and go ahead of Austin. It’s one step at a time. We’re moving on. It might be a bit of a blessing having a game so close to [the last] one, because it kind of forces you to just pick your head up and focus on the next one.”
On Tuesday, Darío Suárez opened the scoring in the 30’ with a thunderbolt into the top left corner of the net, beating Diego Restrepo and earning his third goal of the week nomination of the season. A 75’ Roberto Avila equalizer would earn Austin a point, but Suárez’s strike was truly special.
“Darío is really coming into form right now,” Lewis said. “He’s finding a new gear; he’s finding another level. That is something we can look forward to taking advantage of out of Darío. He’s showing his quality and he’s making a difference for us up there.”
The goal was Suárez’s third in two matches and fifth on the season. Adding in his assist versus Austin Bold at home, the Cuban has contributed to half of FC Tulsa’s goals in 2020.
“I can’t say enough good things about Darío over the past two games.” Bird added. “He’s not only been the difference by scoring goals but he’s also been putting in more work to help out defensively. He’s a key player for us and he’s proving it on the field.”
Tuesday’s match will be a test of everyone’s mettle, as well as their fitness. The short rest and already congested schedule means that both squads will have to dig deep and find an extra gear.
“We think over the two legs that we have more depth than them,” Head Coach Michael Nsien said. “You could see it in the second half with the subs we brought on who could change the game. I think if we got four points out of this trip, we would say that was successful and we would be happy with it.”
The match kicks off tonight at 8 p.m., and fans in Tulsa can watch the match on My41 Tulsa. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ anywhere in the United States as well as YouTube for international viewers. Fans in Tulsa can also catch the match at either the Elgin Park watch party or the Tulsan Bar watch party.
AUSTIN – In soccer, some matches are commonly referred to as a “six-pointer.” That is to say that a win for one club would not only earn it three points, but it would also “take” three points away from another club in similar position in the table.
But what is it called when teams have two six-pointers back-to-back? That’s the situation FC Tulsa and Austin Bold FC are in currently, with the second match of a double header set to kickoff tonight at 8 p.m. from Bold Stadium. Neither club took the “six points” from match one, but the trajectory for each team in the last five matches of the season comes down to what happens Tuesday night.
“Saturday was a pretty back-and-forth game,” midfielder Eric Bird said. “The intensity was high the entire time. You could feel that both teams have a lot on the line with this matchup. We are looking forward to getting back out there again on Tuesday.”
Saturday’s matchup was truly and end-to-end affair, as both teams were playing like it was the last 90 minutes of the season.
“We all have a bit of a bitter taste in our mouth,” goalkeeper Sean Lewis said. “We came here expecting a little more out of ourselves. We came here with the goal of winning both games. The draw isn’t the end of the world. We have another chance Tuesday to separate ourselves and go ahead of Austin. It’s one step at a time. We’re moving on. It might be a bit of a blessing having a game so close to [the last] one, because it kind of forces you to just pick your head up and focus on the next one.”
On Tuesday, Darío Suárez opened the scoring in the 30’ with a thunderbolt into the top left corner of the net, beating Diego Restrepo and earning his third goal of the week nomination of the season. A 75’ Roberto Avila equalizer would earn Austin a point, but Suárez’s strike was truly special.
“Darío is really coming into form right now,” Lewis said. “He’s finding a new gear; he’s finding another level. That is something we can look forward to taking advantage of out of Darío. He’s showing his quality and he’s making a difference for us up there.”
The goal was Suárez’s third in two matches and fifth on the season. Adding in his assist versus Austin Bold at home, the Cuban has contributed to half of FC Tulsa’s goals in 2020.
“I can’t say enough good things about Darío over the past two games.” Bird added. “He’s not only been the difference by scoring goals but he’s also been putting in more work to help out defensively. He’s a key player for us and he’s proving it on the field.”
Tuesday’s match will be a test of everyone’s mettle, as well as their fitness. The short rest and already congested schedule means that both squads will have to dig deep and find an extra gear.
“We think over the two legs that we have more depth than them,” Head Coach Michael Nsien said. “You could see it in the second half with the subs we brought on who could change the game. I think if we got four points out of this trip, we would say that was successful and we would be happy with it.”
The match kicks off tonight at 8 p.m., and fans in Tulsa can watch the match on My41 Tulsa. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ anywhere in the United States as well as YouTube for international viewers. Fans in Tulsa can also catch the match at either the Elgin Park watch party or the Tulsan Bar watch party.
