TULSA – It was a historic night at ONEOK Field. In front of an FC Tulsa record crowd in Greenwood on Hispanic Heritage Night, Eric Bird’s 90’+2 winner gave the club a 1-0 victory San Antonio FC.
It was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams totaling over 20 shots each. It was Tulsa, though, that was dominant in possession, holding the ball for over 63% of the match and completing nearly 80% of its passes.
In the first half, Tulsa found itself on the front foot. Forwards Darío Suárez and Marlon were darting down the wings and forcing SAFC keeper Matt Cardone into some saves. The match would go into the half 0-0.
In the second half, San Antonio found its way into the match, creating more chances in its attacking end, but unfortunately for the visitors FC Tulsa had Sean Lewis in net. The Tulsa goalkeeper made some spectacular saves to keep the match level and the sheet clean.
In the 83’, FC Tulsa made a pair of changes. On came Toby Uzo and Raphael Ayagwa, and the Nigerians’ entrance into the match was a gamechanger. Ayagwa helped FC Tulsa continue to win the midfield, nabbing interceptions and starting the attack.
Uzo was immense up top, sucking in defenders and creating acres of space for FC Tulsa attackers. Uzo himself nearly scored the winner, as his rocket of a shot thundered off the crossbar late in the match.
In the 90’ +2, though, FC Tulsa would find its winner. Bradley Bourgeois sent in a long ball from the right side which found the head of Uzo. His header back across goal was haplessly cleared by San Antonio right to the feet of Bird, who slotted it home into the lower left-hand corner to win the match and send the home fans into an absolute frenzy.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s match:
Stoppage Time Stunner – Bird’s goal in the 90’+2 was the latest goal scored by an FC Tulsa player in 2020, and it may have been the most important.
Playoff push in FC Tulsa’s hands – With the win tonight, FC Tulsa returns to 2nd place in Group D and controls its own destiny in the 2020 Playoff race. With two matches to go and a possible third against RGC FC if necessary, FC Tulsa’s magic number for clinching the playoffs is down to 9.
Squeaky Clean Sheet – FC Tulsa earned its third clean sheet of the season and second at home against San Antonio FC with tonight’s 1-0 victory. FC Tulsa is the only team to shut out SAFC this season, and it’s done it twice.
Up Next:
The playoff push and the battle for the wrench both take center stage at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night, as FC Tulsa hosts OKC Energy FC for a third and final time this season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and fans can get their tickets at https://www.fctulsa.com/tickets.
TULSA – It was a historic night at ONEOK Field. In front of an FC Tulsa record crowd in Greenwood on Hispanic Heritage Night, Eric Bird’s 90’+2 winner gave the club a 1-0 victory San Antonio FC.
It was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams totaling over 20 shots each. It was Tulsa, though, that was dominant in possession, holding the ball for over 63% of the match and completing nearly 80% of its passes.
In the first half, Tulsa found itself on the front foot. Forwards Darío Suárez and Marlon were darting down the wings and forcing SAFC keeper Matt Cardone into some saves. The match would go into the half 0-0.
In the second half, San Antonio found its way into the match, creating more chances in its attacking end, but unfortunately for the visitors FC Tulsa had Sean Lewis in net. The Tulsa goalkeeper made some spectacular saves to keep the match level and the sheet clean.
In the 83’, FC Tulsa made a pair of changes. On came Toby Uzo and Raphael Ayagwa, and the Nigerians’ entrance into the match was a gamechanger. Ayagwa helped FC Tulsa continue to win the midfield, nabbing interceptions and starting the attack.
Uzo was immense up top, sucking in defenders and creating acres of space for FC Tulsa attackers. Uzo himself nearly scored the winner, as his rocket of a shot thundered off the crossbar late in the match.
In the 90’ +2, though, FC Tulsa would find its winner. Bradley Bourgeois sent in a long ball from the right side which found the head of Uzo. His header back across goal was haplessly cleared by San Antonio right to the feet of Bird, who slotted it home into the lower left-hand corner to win the match and send the home fans into an absolute frenzy.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s match:
Stoppage Time Stunner – Bird’s goal in the 90’+2 was the latest goal scored by an FC Tulsa player in 2020, and it may have been the most important.
Playoff push in FC Tulsa’s hands – With the win tonight, FC Tulsa returns to 2nd place in Group D and controls its own destiny in the 2020 Playoff race. With two matches to go and a possible third against RGC FC if necessary, FC Tulsa’s magic number for clinching the playoffs is down to 9.
Squeaky Clean Sheet – FC Tulsa earned its third clean sheet of the season and second at home against San Antonio FC with tonight’s 1-0 victory. FC Tulsa is the only team to shut out SAFC this season, and it’s done it twice.
Up Next:
The playoff push and the battle for the wrench both take center stage at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night, as FC Tulsa hosts OKC Energy FC for a third and final time this season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and fans can get their tickets at https://www.fctulsa.com/tickets.
