TULSA- FC Tulsa has just hip-hopped over Atlanta United 2 in the Central Division standings. Now, it’s time to defend that position.
The Tulsa squad enters Saturday night’s matchup fresh off another stoppage-time winner at home – another Marlon miracle. Marlon, who entered as a substitute in the 59’, netted a brace, supplying FC Tulsa with its initial go-ahead goal in the 80’ and ultimately the match-winner in the 90+2’, sending the club and fans into a frenzy the way only Marlon can.
The win moved FC Tulsa into third place in the division, ahead of Atlanta United 2 in the standings with two games in hand over Atlanta for good measure. FC Tulsa has won three of its last four matches, but Atlanta United 2 wants that streak to stay right where it is.
Each of the first two matchups between the squads was played in Kennesaw, home of Atlanta United 2, and both matches ended disparagingly for FC Tulsa. However, in one of those matches, Atlanta fielded six of its MLS players in order to keep them fresh during an MLS break.
The third matchup being played at ONEOK Field is highly favorable for FC Tulsa. At home, Tulsa is 5W-3L-0D with a goal differential of +3. Conversely, Atlanta is just 2W-5L-2D on the road with a goal differential of -8 to go along with three shutouts.
FC Tulsa will once again be relying on the home crowd to provide the club with that extra surge to continue its winning streak in a very congested Central Division.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field Saturday night is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: MY41
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2
Atlanta comes into this one with some stats and rankings that look great on paper, but do not quite tell the full story regarding the club’s success. With 35 goals and 278 shots, Atlanta is fourth in USL Championship in both categories. However, 15 of the club’s goals came in three matches. In its other 18 matches, Atlanta is only averaging 1.11 goals per match and has been shut out five total times.
Tyler Wolff and Aiden McFadden both lead Atlanta United 2 in goals with six apiece, although Wolff is currently with the MLS side. Robbie Mertz leads the club with four assists, and keeper Rocco Rios Novo has 47 saves in 13 appearances while conceding 22 goals.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Marlon Zone
Marlon Santos continues to amaze and contribute this season for FC Tulsa, especially late in matches at ONEOK Field past the 80’. On August 7th, Marlon scored in the 88’ to give FC Tulsa the lead over Birmingham Legion FC, the moment that might just have turned the tide in FC Tulsa’s season.
In the last match on Wednesday night, Marlon did it again, netting a brace late. His first goal came in the 80’ to give FC Tulsa the lead 1-0, then again in the 90+2’ to win FC Tulsa the match after Memphis had previously tied it up. Whether Marlon is in the Starting XI or coming off the bench, he has proved to be a lightning rod for head coach Michael Nsien.
2) Dubious Defense
Both FC Tulsa and Atlanta United 2 have proven to provide plenty of offensive firepower this season. FC Tulsa is still tied for second in USL Championship in conversion rate, netting 30 goals in just 19 matches. Atlanta United 2, thanks to its three matches in which it scored 15 goals, is fourth in the league in goals and fourth in shots. However, both teams have struggled at times defensively. The two are tied with each other for sixth in goals conceded this season with 33, and each has come up with three clean sheets.
3) Guess Who?
In total, Atlanta United has had 36 different players make appearances this season, tied for the most in USL Championship with Real Monarchs SLC. In contrast, FC Tulsa has only fielded 24 different players this season. In head-to-head matchups between Atlanta and Tulsa, 25 different players have appeared for the Atlanta side whereas 19 players have been on the pitch for Tulsa.
TULSA- FC Tulsa has just hip-hopped over Atlanta United 2 in the Central Division standings. Now, it’s time to defend that position.
The Tulsa squad enters Saturday night’s matchup fresh off another stoppage-time winner at home – another Marlon miracle. Marlon, who entered as a substitute in the 59’, netted a brace, supplying FC Tulsa with its initial go-ahead goal in the 80’ and ultimately the match-winner in the 90+2’, sending the club and fans into a frenzy the way only Marlon can.
The win moved FC Tulsa into third place in the division, ahead of Atlanta United 2 in the standings with two games in hand over Atlanta for good measure. FC Tulsa has won three of its last four matches, but Atlanta United 2 wants that streak to stay right where it is.
Each of the first two matchups between the squads was played in Kennesaw, home of Atlanta United 2, and both matches ended disparagingly for FC Tulsa. However, in one of those matches, Atlanta fielded six of its MLS players in order to keep them fresh during an MLS break.
The third matchup being played at ONEOK Field is highly favorable for FC Tulsa. At home, Tulsa is 5W-3L-0D with a goal differential of +3. Conversely, Atlanta is just 2W-5L-2D on the road with a goal differential of -8 to go along with three shutouts.
FC Tulsa will once again be relying on the home crowd to provide the club with that extra surge to continue its winning streak in a very congested Central Division.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field Saturday night is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
HOW TO WATCH
TV: MY41
Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)
Follow: You can follow FC Tulsa @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2
Atlanta comes into this one with some stats and rankings that look great on paper, but do not quite tell the full story regarding the club’s success. With 35 goals and 278 shots, Atlanta is fourth in USL Championship in both categories. However, 15 of the club’s goals came in three matches. In its other 18 matches, Atlanta is only averaging 1.11 goals per match and has been shut out five total times.
Tyler Wolff and Aiden McFadden both lead Atlanta United 2 in goals with six apiece, although Wolff is currently with the MLS side. Robbie Mertz leads the club with four assists, and keeper Rocco Rios Novo has 47 saves in 13 appearances while conceding 22 goals.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Marlon Zone
Marlon Santos continues to amaze and contribute this season for FC Tulsa, especially late in matches at ONEOK Field past the 80’. On August 7th, Marlon scored in the 88’ to give FC Tulsa the lead over Birmingham Legion FC, the moment that might just have turned the tide in FC Tulsa’s season.
In the last match on Wednesday night, Marlon did it again, netting a brace late. His first goal came in the 80’ to give FC Tulsa the lead 1-0, then again in the 90+2’ to win FC Tulsa the match after Memphis had previously tied it up. Whether Marlon is in the Starting XI or coming off the bench, he has proved to be a lightning rod for head coach Michael Nsien.
2) Dubious Defense
Both FC Tulsa and Atlanta United 2 have proven to provide plenty of offensive firepower this season. FC Tulsa is still tied for second in USL Championship in conversion rate, netting 30 goals in just 19 matches. Atlanta United 2, thanks to its three matches in which it scored 15 goals, is fourth in the league in goals and fourth in shots. However, both teams have struggled at times defensively. The two are tied with each other for sixth in goals conceded this season with 33, and each has come up with three clean sheets.
3) Guess Who?
In total, Atlanta United has had 36 different players make appearances this season, tied for the most in USL Championship with Real Monarchs SLC. In contrast, FC Tulsa has only fielded 24 different players this season. In head-to-head matchups between Atlanta and Tulsa, 25 different players have appeared for the Atlanta side whereas 19 players have been on the pitch for Tulsa.
