KANSAS CITY – Same story, second verse, two weeks apart.
On Wednesday night, FC Tulsa traveled to play an MLS2 team featuring several MLS players and left without a result. Sporting Kansas City II, who started seven players on MLS contracts, took the three points with a 3-1 victory. While the scoreline was different, the match was eerily similar to FC Tulsa's first loss of the season on May 19 against Atlanta United 2, when it featured eight players from its parent club.
FC Tulsa appeared back on track when it took the lead in the 14' of the match after first-time starter Lucas Coutinho scored on a counter from fellow Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. However, that goal came largely against the run of play as Sporting KC II dominated the run of play. The pressure paid off as Sporting KC II equalized just before the halftime whistle.
The second half was all Sporting Kansas City II as it took the lead only four minutes after halftime and didn't let up, ultimately finishing off a come from behind 4-1 victory.
Here are three takeaways from the 4-1 defeat…
1) Starting XI Change Pays Off
Head coach Michael Nsien made a slight formation change to the Starting XI as Lucas Coutinho earned his first start with FC Tulsa alongside fellow attacking midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. The moved paid off quickly as Coutinho bagged his first goal in the USL Championship. Coutinho signed this offseason after two years with South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One.
2) FULL 90 FOR KIESEWETTER
Forward Jerome Kiesewetter was FC Tulsa's biggest offseason acquisition, but a combination of injury and bad luck has kept the U.S. international outside of the Starting XI so far this season. On Wednesday night, Kiesewetter finally earned his first start, playing the full 90 minutes in the defeat.
3) ANOTHER DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The nine goals that FC Tulsa has allowed in its last 180 minutes of soccer is one more than the eight goals the club had allowed in its previous 10 regular season matches combined. Heading into this match, Sporting KC II had scored just two total goals in its previous six matches in 2020.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa will have to rebound quickly for a Sunday matinee at Birmingham Legion FC. It will be the first ever meeting between the clubs, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
KANSAS CITY – Same story, second verse, two weeks apart.
On Wednesday night, FC Tulsa traveled to play an MLS2 team featuring several MLS players and left without a result. Sporting Kansas City II, who started seven players on MLS contracts, took the three points with a 3-1 victory. While the scoreline was different, the match was eerily similar to FC Tulsa’s first loss of the season on May 19 against Atlanta United 2, when it featured eight players from its parent club.
FC Tulsa appeared back on track when it took the lead in the 14′ of the match after first-time starter Lucas Coutinho scored on a counter from fellow Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. However, that goal came largely against the run of play as Sporting KC II dominated the run of play. The pressure paid off as Sporting KC II equalized just before the halftime whistle.
The second half was all Sporting Kansas City II as it took the lead only four minutes after halftime and didn’t let up, ultimately finishing off a come from behind 4-1 victory.
Here are three takeaways from the 4-1 defeat…
1) Starting XI Change Pays Off
Head coach Michael Nsien made a slight formation change to the Starting XI as Lucas Coutinho earned his first start with FC Tulsa alongside fellow attacking midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. The moved paid off quickly as Coutinho bagged his first goal in the USL Championship. Coutinho signed this offseason after two years with South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One.
2) FULL 90 FOR KIESEWETTER
Forward Jerome Kiesewetter was FC Tulsa’s biggest offseason acquisition, but a combination of injury and bad luck has kept the U.S. international outside of the Starting XI so far this season. On Wednesday night, Kiesewetter finally earned his first start, playing the full 90 minutes in the defeat.
3) ANOTHER DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The nine goals that FC Tulsa has allowed in its last 180 minutes of soccer is one more than the eight goals the club had allowed in its previous 10 regular season matches combined. Heading into this match, Sporting KC II had scored just two total goals in its previous six matches in 2020.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa will have to rebound quickly for a Sunday matinee at Birmingham Legion FC. It will be the first ever meeting between the clubs, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
