BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Hammer: DOWN.
FC Tulsa struck gold in Alabama with a massive 2-1 victory on the road against Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday afternoon, its second win over Birmingham in the last three weeks. Recently-acquired Jason Johnson got his first goal in Tulsa colors while fellow forward Darío Suárez got back on the scoresheet for the match-winning strike.
It was a muggy matinee at BBVA Field, but recent Green Country weather seemingly gave FC Tulsa the upper hand in the oppressive conditions as Tulsa got on the board first. In the 8' minute, Johnson opened the scoring off a beautiful pass from midfielder Lebo Moloto, marking the second-fastest Tulsa goal this season. Moloto cleverly flicked a ball from his back heel perfectly into the path of the on-rushing Johnson from the right side of the box. The Jamaican striker made no mistake, cooly finishing over the Birmingham keeper.
In the second half, it was Suárez who scored the goal that would prove to be the nail in the coffin for Legion FC. In the 56’, Eric Bird found Suárez darting down the left wing and delivered a perfectly-placed pass up field to hit the winger in stride. Suárez sealed the win, slotting the ball cross-goal to score his first goal in his last 11 matches, his longest goalless streak since joining FC Tulsa prior to the 2020 season.
Birmingham was able to get one back late, but it was not enough as FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis was tremendous from whistle to whistle, coming up with seven saves in the match. There was no lack of drama as Legion FC continued to send in flurries of shots until the final minutes, but Lewis and his backline stood strong.
Coming off a loss the previous weekend to Louisville City FC, FC Tulsa came into this match with a must-win mindset to keep pace with its Central Division rivals. Despite being outshot 19-6, TC Tulsa relied on its defense late to come up with the all-important three points on the road and vault back into Playoffs position.
Here are three takeaways from today’s win.
1) JOHNSON SCORES HIS FIRST
Forward Jason Johnson got on the board for Tulsa with his eighth-minute strike. Johnson’s goal was his 28th in the USL Championship in his career, but the first in an FC Tulsa shirt. Although he had notched an assist with FC Tulsa already, the striker scored his first goal in his fourth appearance with the club.
2) FC TULSA VICTORIOUS IN THE FORTRESS
Today, FC Tulsa was able to pull off a feat no other club has been able to do this season – score multiple goals in a match as the visitors at BBVA Field and come away with a win. Legion FC came into the match 5-2-1 at home this season and had conceded an average of just 1.0 goals allowed at home. However, FC Tulsa was able to find offensive success in Birmingham and smelt Legion FC at home.
3) LEWIS CONTINUES IMPROVEMENT
In eight matches to start the 2021 season, Lewis posted an uncharacteristic 48.6% save pct., a far cry from the 78.5% he posted last season. However, after spending six matches on the bench, Lewis looks much more like his 2020 self. Including tonight’s performance, Lewis has a 72.7% save pct. since re-entering the Starting XI four matches ago.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa returns home to ONEOK Field this Wednesday night to host Memphis 901 FC, its second of three matches FC Tulsa will play in seven days. Seven of the club’s next nine matches will be played at home for Tulsa, so be sure to come out and support FC Tulsa this week and throughout the remainder of the month as the Playoffs race truly heats up.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field on August 25 is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Hammer: DOWN.
FC Tulsa struck gold in Alabama with a massive 2-1 victory on the road against Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday afternoon, its second win over Birmingham in the last three weeks. Recently-acquired Jason Johnson got his first goal in Tulsa colors while fellow forward Darío Suárez got back on the scoresheet for the match-winning strike.
It was a muggy matinee at BBVA Field, but recent Green Country weather seemingly gave FC Tulsa the upper hand in the oppressive conditions as Tulsa got on the board first. In the 8′ minute, Johnson opened the scoring off a beautiful pass from midfielder Lebo Moloto, marking the second-fastest Tulsa goal this season. Moloto cleverly flicked a ball from his back heel perfectly into the path of the on-rushing Johnson from the right side of the box. The Jamaican striker made no mistake, cooly finishing over the Birmingham keeper.
In the second half, it was Suárez who scored the goal that would prove to be the nail in the coffin for Legion FC. In the 56’, Eric Bird found Suárez darting down the left wing and delivered a perfectly-placed pass up field to hit the winger in stride. Suárez sealed the win, slotting the ball cross-goal to score his first goal in his last 11 matches, his longest goalless streak since joining FC Tulsa prior to the 2020 season.
Birmingham was able to get one back late, but it was not enough as FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis was tremendous from whistle to whistle, coming up with seven saves in the match. There was no lack of drama as Legion FC continued to send in flurries of shots until the final minutes, but Lewis and his backline stood strong.
Coming off a loss the previous weekend to Louisville City FC, FC Tulsa came into this match with a must-win mindset to keep pace with its Central Division rivals. Despite being outshot 19-6, TC Tulsa relied on its defense late to come up with the all-important three points on the road and vault back into Playoffs position.
Here are three takeaways from today’s win.
1) JOHNSON SCORES HIS FIRST
Forward Jason Johnson got on the board for Tulsa with his eighth-minute strike. Johnson’s goal was his 28th in the USL Championship in his career, but the first in an FC Tulsa shirt. Although he had notched an assist with FC Tulsa already, the striker scored his first goal in his fourth appearance with the club.
2) FC TULSA VICTORIOUS IN THE FORTRESS
Today, FC Tulsa was able to pull off a feat no other club has been able to do this season – score multiple goals in a match as the visitors at BBVA Field and come away with a win. Legion FC came into the match 5-2-1 at home this season and had conceded an average of just 1.0 goals allowed at home. However, FC Tulsa was able to find offensive success in Birmingham and smelt Legion FC at home.
3) LEWIS CONTINUES IMPROVEMENT
In eight matches to start the 2021 season, Lewis posted an uncharacteristic 48.6% save pct., a far cry from the 78.5% he posted last season. However, after spending six matches on the bench, Lewis looks much more like his 2020 self. Including tonight’s performance, Lewis has a 72.7% save pct. since re-entering the Starting XI four matches ago.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa returns home to ONEOK Field this Wednesday night to host Memphis 901 FC, its second of three matches FC Tulsa will play in seven days. Seven of the club’s next nine matches will be played at home for Tulsa, so be sure to come out and support FC Tulsa this week and throughout the remainder of the month as the Playoffs race truly heats up.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field on August 25 is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
