TULSA – High 5!
Another late winner, another three points and FC Tulsa's winning streak is alive and well after a 2-1 home victory over Indy Eleven on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. Tonight's winner came courtesy of forward Darío Suárez, who converted an 89' minute penalty kick won by teammate Lucas Coutinho to snatch a fifth win "on the spin."
In a season that's been chock full of drama, it's the third match-winning goal past the 84' minute in the last month as FC Tulsa continues to inch closer to the top of the Central Division.
The same trends that brought FC Tulsa to a four-match winning streak – scoring the first goal and scoring multiple goals – continued in Wednesday's match starting with Marlon's opener off a cross from Jason Johnson. It was a cool finish from the Brazilian who didn't miss from 10 yards out.
A dominant first half turned sour midway through the opening 45 minutes when FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis took a knock and was forced to the bench for Austin Wormell. Lewis had been an instrumental part of FC Tulsa's four-match winning streak and hadn't allowed a goal in Tulsa's last 194 minutes.
As the soccer gods would have it, just minutes after having to make the change, Tulsa conceded as Indy equalized the match at 1-1. That was the final tally that Wormell would give up as the Tulsa native made four saves in the victory, including two highlight reel stops late in the match that kept it an equal scoreline.
In the 84' minute, FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien sent in the substitution that eventually made the difference when he brought on midfielder Lucas Coutinho. Coutinho wasted little time making an impact, earning the penalty that Suárez converted.
FC Tulsa's next match will be its biggest yet as a sixth win in a row on Saturday would leapfrog Tulsa over Birmingham Legion FC and into second place in the Central Division.
Here are three quick takeaways from the match…
1) Late is Great
In the last 31 days, FC Tulsa has had three match winners past the 84' minute. While the previous two came from the boot of Marlon, tonight's drama king was Darío Suárez, who coolly converted the penalty to send FC Tulsa to three points. It's the latest heroics from FC Tulsa who have matched the league's longest win streak in 2021.
With the victory, FC Tulsa has put together the 31st 5-match winning streak in the USL Championship since 2015 and is the 20th different franchise to accomplish the feat.
2) Seventh Heaven
Both Marlon and Suárez's goals tonight were their seventh each, giving FC Tulsa three players with at least seven goals (Rodrigo da Costa, 8) the most in the league. Marlon and Super Darío have been two of the offensive architects of the winning streak with three goals apiece during the last five matches.
FC Tulsa has now scored 10 goals over the five matches while allowing just four.
3) Wormell to the Rescue
FC Tulsa had to make a rare call to the bullpen early to bring on keeper Austin Wormell for Sean Lewis who appeared to take a knock midway through the first half. It was Wormell's first appearance since July 29.
The Tulsa native came up big, making four saves in the 56 minutes he played, including two huge stops down the stretch with the match tied at 1-1. Wormell is now 3W-3L-1D in seven appearances in net.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa will be right back on the ONEOK Field pitch on Saturday night against Birmingham Legion FC in match that will decide second place for the time being. A win would put FC Tulsa into second while a draw or loss would keep Birmingham there. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and tickets are available.
TULSA – High 5!
Another late winner, another three points and FC Tulsa’s winning streak is alive and well after a 2-1 home victory over Indy Eleven on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. Tonight’s winner came courtesy of forward Darío Suárez, who converted an 89′ minute penalty kick won by teammate Lucas Coutinho to snatch a fifth win “on the spin.”
In a season that’s been chock full of drama, it’s the third match-winning goal past the 84′ minute in the last month as FC Tulsa continues to inch closer to the top of the Central Division.
The same trends that brought FC Tulsa to a four-match winning streak – scoring the first goal and scoring multiple goals – continued in Wednesday’s match starting with Marlon’s opener off a cross from Jason Johnson. It was a cool finish from the Brazilian who didn’t miss from 10 yards out.
A dominant first half turned sour midway through the opening 45 minutes when FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis took a knock and was forced to the bench for Austin Wormell. Lewis had been an instrumental part of FC Tulsa’s four-match winning streak and hadn’t allowed a goal in Tulsa’s last 194 minutes.
As the soccer gods would have it, just minutes after having to make the change, Tulsa conceded as Indy equalized the match at 1-1. That was the final tally that Wormell would give up as the Tulsa native made four saves in the victory, including two highlight reel stops late in the match that kept it an equal scoreline.
In the 84′ minute, FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien sent in the substitution that eventually made the difference when he brought on midfielder Lucas Coutinho. Coutinho wasted little time making an impact, earning the penalty that Suárez converted.
FC Tulsa’s next match will be its biggest yet as a sixth win in a row on Saturday would leapfrog Tulsa over Birmingham Legion FC and into second place in the Central Division.
Here are three quick takeaways from the match…
1) Late is Great
In the last 31 days, FC Tulsa has had three match winners past the 84′ minute. While the previous two came from the boot of Marlon, tonight’s drama king was Darío Suárez, who coolly converted the penalty to send FC Tulsa to three points. It’s the latest heroics from FC Tulsa who have matched the league’s longest win streak in 2021.
With the victory, FC Tulsa has put together the 31st 5-match winning streak in the USL Championship since 2015 and is the 20th different franchise to accomplish the feat.
2) Seventh Heaven
Both Marlon and Suárez’s goals tonight were their seventh each, giving FC Tulsa three players with at least seven goals (Rodrigo da Costa, 8) the most in the league. Marlon and Super Darío have been two of the offensive architects of the winning streak with three goals apiece during the last five matches.
FC Tulsa has now scored 10 goals over the five matches while allowing just four.
3) Wormell to the Rescue
FC Tulsa had to make a rare call to the bullpen early to bring on keeper Austin Wormell for Sean Lewis who appeared to take a knock midway through the first half. It was Wormell’s first appearance since July 29.
The Tulsa native came up big, making four saves in the 56 minutes he played, including two huge stops down the stretch with the match tied at 1-1. Wormell is now 3W-3L-1D in seven appearances in net.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa will be right back on the ONEOK Field pitch on Saturday night against Birmingham Legion FC in match that will decide second place for the time being. A win would put FC Tulsa into second while a draw or loss would keep Birmingham there. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and tickets are available.
