KENNESAW, Ga. – For FC Tulsa, this one is personal.
Two months ago, Atlanta United 2 handed FC Tulsa a five-goal defeat in the first matchup between the sides. With another meeting on tap for Wednesday night, FC Tulsa will look to rebound in a big away against ATL UTD 2 and prove that the first outcome was not indicative of the true nature of either club.
On that Wednesday night in May, Atlanta United 2 took advantage of the international break for its parent club, calling down several MLS contracted players to supplement its USL Championship roster. The difference was noticeable as Atlanta cruised to the blowout victory.
FC Tulsa comes into the match following a disappointing loss in Memphis last Saturday. There was no shortage of opportunities for Tulsa to find the net, but the final touch never quite connected, resulting in an unlucky 1-0 finish in favor of Memphis 901 FC.
However, FC Tulsa comes into the match in Atlanta with a bolstered roster after getting captain Bradley Bourgeois back on the pitch last Saturday in a return from injury and forward Joaquín Rivas returning back from international duty. With both Bourgeois and Rivas available in the lineup, FC Tulsa is 4W-1L-0D, the only loss coming to Atlanta United 2.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: FOX23
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2
Following Atlanta United 2’s victory over FC Tulsa on May 19, it has been tough sledding for perhaps the coldest team in the Central Division. Atlanta is winless in its last seven matches and has one just once in its last 10 matches since it beat FC Tulsa in May. A lack of scoring has been part of the problem as the team has scored just nine goals over those ten matches.
Forward Aiden McFadden leads Atlanta with five goals in 12 appearances, and William Reilly is atop the assist list with two. One of Atlanta's most promising prospects is goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, who has 31 saves to go along with nine goals conceded in his seven appearances.
THINGS TO KNOW
1) Captain Back in Action
FC Tulsa's captain, Bradley Bourgeois, made his return to the pitch last Saturday night for the first time after missing five matches with a foot injury. Head coach Michael Nsien eased Bourgeois back into action as the University of Tulsa graduate came on as a substitute in the 61’ to bolster the backline. The captain’s return should offer a boost the squad during a busy part of the season as the club aims to stake its claim to a playoff spot.
2) Bird Nears Century Mark
An appearance on Wednesday night could be a historic one for FC Tulsa midfielder Eric Bird. If the Virginia native starts or is subbed on during the match, it will be his 100th USL Championship regular season appearance. In his 99 career appearances thus far in the league, Bird has scored 15 USL goals to go along with eight assists. He logged 72 of his appearances for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros from 2016-2019 before joining FC Tulsa for the 2020 campaign.
3) Rivas' Gold Performance
FC Tulsa will welcome back Joaquín Rivas from international duty following a spectacular performance in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In four appearances for El Salvador, Rivas scored three times, including twice in his country’s final match of the tournament versus 2022 World Cup host nation Qatar. FC Tulsa will need Rivas to keep that same form in his return to the club as the offense has managed just one goal over its last two matches.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
KENNESAW, Ga. – For FC Tulsa, this one is personal.
Two months ago, Atlanta United 2 handed FC Tulsa a five-goal defeat in the first matchup between the sides. With another meeting on tap for Wednesday night, FC Tulsa will look to rebound in a big away against ATL UTD 2 and prove that the first outcome was not indicative of the true nature of either club.
On that Wednesday night in May, Atlanta United 2 took advantage of the international break for its parent club, calling down several MLS contracted players to supplement its USL Championship roster. The difference was noticeable as Atlanta cruised to the blowout victory.
FC Tulsa comes into the match following a disappointing loss in Memphis last Saturday. There was no shortage of opportunities for Tulsa to find the net, but the final touch never quite connected, resulting in an unlucky 1-0 finish in favor of Memphis 901 FC.
However, FC Tulsa comes into the match in Atlanta with a bolstered roster after getting captain Bradley Bourgeois back on the pitch last Saturday in a return from injury and forward Joaquín Rivas returning back from international duty. With both Bourgeois and Rivas available in the lineup, FC Tulsa is 4W-1L-0D, the only loss coming to Atlanta United 2.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: FOX23
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2
Following Atlanta United 2’s victory over FC Tulsa on May 19, it has been tough sledding for perhaps the coldest team in the Central Division. Atlanta is winless in its last seven matches and has one just once in its last 10 matches since it beat FC Tulsa in May. A lack of scoring has been part of the problem as the team has scored just nine goals over those ten matches.
Forward Aiden McFadden leads Atlanta with five goals in 12 appearances, and William Reilly is atop the assist list with two. One of Atlanta’s most promising prospects is goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, who has 31 saves to go along with nine goals conceded in his seven appearances.
THINGS TO KNOW
1) Captain Back in Action
FC Tulsa’s captain, Bradley Bourgeois, made his return to the pitch last Saturday night for the first time after missing five matches with a foot injury. Head coach Michael Nsien eased Bourgeois back into action as the University of Tulsa graduate came on as a substitute in the 61’ to bolster the backline. The captain’s return should offer a boost the squad during a busy part of the season as the club aims to stake its claim to a playoff spot.
2) Bird Nears Century Mark
An appearance on Wednesday night could be a historic one for FC Tulsa midfielder Eric Bird. If the Virginia native starts or is subbed on during the match, it will be his 100th USL Championship regular season appearance. In his 99 career appearances thus far in the league, Bird has scored 15 USL goals to go along with eight assists. He logged 72 of his appearances for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros from 2016-2019 before joining FC Tulsa for the 2020 campaign.
3) Rivas’ Gold Performance
FC Tulsa will welcome back Joaquín Rivas from international duty following a spectacular performance in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In four appearances for El Salvador, Rivas scored three times, including twice in his country’s final match of the tournament versus 2022 World Cup host nation Qatar. FC Tulsa will need Rivas to keep that same form in his return to the club as the offense has managed just one goal over its last two matches.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
