TULSA – No late magic needed tonight. The Magician provided plenty in the first half.
Lebo Moloto, one of the USL Championship's most prolific players over its history, scored a first half brace within a four-minute span to propel FC Tulsa to a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United 2 at ONEOK Field on Saturday night.
FC Tulsa put all three goals away in the first half, the first from the boot of defender Matt Sheldon and the final two from Moloto, enough scoring to seal its second three-match winning streak of the season. The victory is also the fourth in the last five matches as FC Tulsa continues to separate itself from the middle of the Central Division and solidly into a top three position.
Coming into the match, Atlanta United 2 was the lone Central Division opponent FC Tulsa hadn't beaten yet in 2021 with Tulsa suffering two losses in Atlanta earlier this season. At home, the tides turned as FC Tulsa improved its record at ONEOK Field to 6W-3L-0D this season.
Here are three takeaways from tonight's match.
1) Sheldon Stuns with Second Strike
It took Matt Sheldon 76 matches to score his first professional goal, and just four more to score his second. Sheldon's opener, courtesy of fellow defender Mo Jadama's headed pass, was a spin-o-rama side volley that beat Atlanta keeper Rocco Rios Novo on the far post. It gives FC Tulsa a third goal by a defender this season, with Jadama providing an eighth assist from the backline, but his first in 2021.
2) Moloto Brace Adds to Hot August
Fully healthy following a significant injury suffered in preseason, Lebo Moloto has been back to his All-League self throughout August. Over the last month, Moloto has been the engine of the FC Tulsa offense playing in his familiar "No. 10" role. He scored his first and second, goals of the season four minutes apart in the first half. Those two goals go along with Moloto's two assists already in August.
3) Score First, Score Often
Again, FC Tulsa buried the first goal of the match and scored multiple goals, improving their outstanding record in each metric this season. When scoring first, FC Tulsa is now 8W-1L-0D and when scoring at least twice, the club is 9W-1L-0D. It's a recipe for success as FC Tulsa is one of the highest scoring teams in the USL Championship, ranking fifth in total goals in 2021.
UP NEXT
Another test awaits as FC Tulsa makes a final trip to Louisville on Friday night in a 1 vs. 3 Central Division showdown. A fourth consecutive win would close the gap between Louisville at the top and FC Tulsa to single digit points.
TULSA – No late magic needed tonight. The Magician provided plenty in the first half.
Lebo Moloto, one of the USL Championship’s most prolific players over its history, scored a first half brace within a four-minute span to propel FC Tulsa to a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United 2 at ONEOK Field on Saturday night.
FC Tulsa put all three goals away in the first half, the first from the boot of defender Matt Sheldon and the final two from Moloto, enough scoring to seal its second three-match winning streak of the season. The victory is also the fourth in the last five matches as FC Tulsa continues to separate itself from the middle of the Central Division and solidly into a top three position.
Coming into the match, Atlanta United 2 was the lone Central Division opponent FC Tulsa hadn’t beaten yet in 2021 with Tulsa suffering two losses in Atlanta earlier this season. At home, the tides turned as FC Tulsa improved its record at ONEOK Field to 6W-3L-0D this season.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s match.
1) Sheldon Stuns with Second Strike
It took Matt Sheldon 76 matches to score his first professional goal, and just four more to score his second. Sheldon’s opener, courtesy of fellow defender Mo Jadama’s headed pass, was a spin-o-rama side volley that beat Atlanta keeper Rocco Rios Novo on the far post. It gives FC Tulsa a third goal by a defender this season, with Jadama providing an eighth assist from the backline, but his first in 2021.
2) Moloto Brace Adds to Hot August
Fully healthy following a significant injury suffered in preseason, Lebo Moloto has been back to his All-League self throughout August. Over the last month, Moloto has been the engine of the FC Tulsa offense playing in his familiar “No. 10” role. He scored his first and second, goals of the season four minutes apart in the first half. Those two goals go along with Moloto’s two assists already in August.
3) Score First, Score Often
Again, FC Tulsa buried the first goal of the match and scored multiple goals, improving their outstanding record in each metric this season. When scoring first, FC Tulsa is now 8W-1L-0D and when scoring at least twice, the club is 9W-1L-0D. It’s a recipe for success as FC Tulsa is one of the highest scoring teams in the USL Championship, ranking fifth in total goals in 2021.
UP NEXT
Another test awaits as FC Tulsa makes a final trip to Louisville on Friday night in a 1 vs. 3 Central Division showdown. A fourth consecutive win would close the gap between Louisville at the top and FC Tulsa to single digit points.
