KENNESAW, Ga. – Fifth Third Bank Stadium is a house of horrors for FC Tulsa.
A second trip to the outskirts of Atlanta resulted in a second loss for FC Tulsa as Atlanta United used a goal in each half to emerge victorious from a 2-1 result. The defining moments in the match came from a penalty won by each side in the opening half. Atlanta United 2 converted its chance from the spot while Tulsa wasn't able to equalize with its penalty.
As has been the case throughout its current three-match losing streak, FC Tulsa was on the back foot early, and the Atlanta momentum paid off when it won a penalty following a Mo Jadama foul in the box. Diop, who won the pen, cooly put his spot kick away past the outstreched hand of keeper Austin Wormell.
It looked like FC Tulsa would equalize when Rodrigo da Costa won a penalty for Tulsa. Tulsa's goalscoring leader wasn't as fortunate however, as his well-placed shot was guided to safety by the Atlanta keeper.
Despite FC Tulsa coming out of the locker room at halftime as the aggressor, Atlanta scored doubled its lead in the 49’ minute, going up 2-0. Six minutes later though, da Costa was able to make up for his penalty miss by sneaking a cross from winger Marlon Santos into the bottom corner of the net, halving the lead and stretching his goal total to eight on the year.
FC Tulsa continued to battle throughout the final 35 minutes, but was unable to even up the score.
The Central Division becomes even more crowded following the result as the third through eighth spots are separated by just five points.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s loss…
1) Rivas Returns to Tulsa Lineup
After a 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup performance where he scored three goals for El Salvador, Joaquín Rivas immediately entered the FC Tulsa Starting XI but failed to provide the same offensive spark for Tulsa.
Playing in the "number nine" position at center forward, Rivas had the fewest touches of any FC Tulsa starter with just 22 in 90 minutes. Rivas did take two shots, however neither found the target.
2) Welcome to the 100 Club
The start in tonight's match gave midfielder Eric Bird 100 regular season USL Championship appearances in his career. After the match, Bird had this to say about hitting the 100 mark.
"I’m proud to have made 100 appearances in the USL," said Bird. "This is a great league that will undoubtedly only get better. One day, it will be cool to look back on this milestone and reminisce. But now, I’m looking forward to the next 100."
3) Da Costa Makes Up for Miss
Rodrigo da Costa made up for a rare miss with his second half goal. Da Costa had a chance to equalize the match at 1-1 after winning a penalty late in the first half, but saw his attempt saved by Atlanta keeper Rocco Rios Novo. The Brazilian made up for his miss by finding the net midway through the second half with his eighth goal of the 2021 season.
His eight goals are just one shy of his career high nine, a mark he set in 2019. The eight goals have da Costa in a tie for third place in the USL Championship in goals scored in 2021.
Up Next
FC Tulsa heads back home to ONEOK Field to host Indy Eleven at 7:00 pm CT on Wednesday, August 4. It will mark the second meeting between the two clubs this season as FC Tulsa claimed victory the first meeting, keeping Indy off the scoreboard and winning 2-0 early in the 2021 season.
In five home matches this year, FC Tulsa has outscored its opponents 12-10 and has a 3-2 record in front of its fans.
KENNESAW, Ga. – Fifth Third Bank Stadium is a house of horrors for FC Tulsa.
A second trip to the outskirts of Atlanta resulted in a second loss for FC Tulsa as Atlanta United used a goal in each half to emerge victorious from a 2-1 result. The defining moments in the match came from a penalty won by each side in the opening half. Atlanta United 2 converted its chance from the spot while Tulsa wasn’t able to equalize with its penalty.
As has been the case throughout its current three-match losing streak, FC Tulsa was on the back foot early, and the Atlanta momentum paid off when it won a penalty following a Mo Jadama foul in the box. Diop, who won the pen, cooly put his spot kick away past the outstreched hand of keeper Austin Wormell.
It looked like FC Tulsa would equalize when Rodrigo da Costa won a penalty for Tulsa. Tulsa’s goalscoring leader wasn’t as fortunate however, as his well-placed shot was guided to safety by the Atlanta keeper.
Despite FC Tulsa coming out of the locker room at halftime as the aggressor, Atlanta scored doubled its lead in the 49’ minute, going up 2-0. Six minutes later though, da Costa was able to make up for his penalty miss by sneaking a cross from winger Marlon Santos into the bottom corner of the net, halving the lead and stretching his goal total to eight on the year.
FC Tulsa continued to battle throughout the final 35 minutes, but was unable to even up the score.
The Central Division becomes even more crowded following the result as the third through eighth spots are separated by just five points.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s loss…
1) Rivas Returns to Tulsa Lineup
After a 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup performance where he scored three goals for El Salvador, Joaquín Rivas immediately entered the FC Tulsa Starting XI but failed to provide the same offensive spark for Tulsa.
Playing in the “number nine” position at center forward, Rivas had the fewest touches of any FC Tulsa starter with just 22 in 90 minutes. Rivas did take two shots, however neither found the target.
2) Welcome to the 100 Club
The start in tonight’s match gave midfielder Eric Bird 100 regular season USL Championship appearances in his career. After the match, Bird had this to say about hitting the 100 mark.
“I’m proud to have made 100 appearances in the USL,” said Bird. “This is a great league that will undoubtedly only get better. One day, it will be cool to look back on this milestone and reminisce. But now, I’m looking forward to the next 100.”
3) Da Costa Makes Up for Miss
Rodrigo da Costa made up for a rare miss with his second half goal. Da Costa had a chance to equalize the match at 1-1 after winning a penalty late in the first half, but saw his attempt saved by Atlanta keeper Rocco Rios Novo. The Brazilian made up for his miss by finding the net midway through the second half with his eighth goal of the 2021 season.
His eight goals are just one shy of his career high nine, a mark he set in 2019. The eight goals have da Costa in a tie for third place in the USL Championship in goals scored in 2021.
Up Next
FC Tulsa heads back home to ONEOK Field to host Indy Eleven at 7:00 pm CT on Wednesday, August 4. It will mark the second meeting between the two clubs this season as FC Tulsa claimed victory the first meeting, keeping Indy off the scoreboard and winning 2-0 early in the 2021 season.
In five home matches this year, FC Tulsa has outscored its opponents 12-10 and has a 3-2 record in front of its fans.
