FC Tulsa’s Preseason Comes to a Close with Match vs Sporting KC II on Saturday
TULSA – A dress rehearsal before the real thing.
On Saturday afternoon, just a week out from its regular season opener, FC Tulsa will play its last preseason match of 2022 against Sporting Kansas City II at Titan Sports Complex at 2 p.m., serving as one final chance for players to impress the coaching staff heading into the season.
Make no mistake about it, FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien only sees one acceptable outcome in the friendly.
“We need to make sure the result is a win,” said Nsien after training on Thursday. “This is a game at home. The players need to understand that even though it’s at Titan and not at ONEOK, the mentality of us being in Tulsa is – we can’t draw; we can’t lose. It has to be 3 points.”
With the previous four preseason matches being more about getting the team into match fitness and working on specific tactics, Saturday’s exhibition will be about the result and establishing a winning mentality. If Thursday’s passionate and fast-paced training session was any indication, FC Tulsa players are ready for outside competition to come into Tulsa.
“The intensity is picking up a bit, obviously knowing the first game is close,” said goalkeeper Sean Lewis. “It’s been pretty high. We are still ironing out a few kinks, and everyone is passionate about that. So, that [intensity] happens.”
SCOUTING SPORTING KC II
This will be the only match in 2022 against Sporting KC II for Tulsa, as the side has now shifted to the newly formed, MLS Next Pro league, a third-division league housing the majority of “MLS 2” teams. However, the teams did meet four times last season as members of the USL Championship’s Central Division. FC Tulsa won both matches in Tulsa, while SKC II won once at home with the sides drawing once in Kansas City.
While the Sporting KC II roster has always skewed young in past seasons, that should be even more the case with the club’s move to MLS Next Pro. One of the few veterans on the team is former Tulsa Roughnecks midfielder Collin Fernandez. The 25-year-old spent the 2017 season on loan with the Roughnecks from Chicago Fire where he appeared in 28 matches, scoring once.
Sporting KC II is coached by former U.S. Men’s National Team player and Sporting KC star Benny Feilhaber. This is his first head coaching job after retiring from professional soccer following the 2020 season with Sporting KC.
So far in its 2022 preseason, Sporting KC II has lost both of its matches, a 3-0 loss
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) This Match Matters
While the result of the match won’t count for anything officially, Nsien didn’t mince words when discussing what Saturday’s preseason match means for FC Tulsa (see his quote above). This result can set the tone for the beginning of the 2022 season and give FC Tulsa confidence heading into its opener next weekend at Charleston Battery. The defense is clearly finding its rhythm, and the offense will look to do the same after FC Tulsa’s 1-0 preseason win last Saturday at San Antonio FC.
2) Starting a Strong XI
With this being FC Tulsa’s “dress rehearsal” for the 2022 season, expect to see a first choice XI on Saturday afternoon at Titan. Nsien and his staff have been working throughout the preseason to build up minutes in matches for players who are likely to see extended action in the early weeks of the season. Most starters on Saturday are likely to see 75ish minutes, while a couple of positions could see minutes distributed more evenly as Nsien makes final decisions to his preferred XI to begin the 2022 campaign.
3) Finally in Tulsa
It has been a successful, but at times grueling 2022 preseason for FC Tulsa. A week-long trip to Tucson and long weekend in Texas were scattered in between large bouts of winter weather in Tulsa made for a hectic preseason. Throw in two-a-day training sessions and the players are more than ready to start the 2022 campaign. Saturday’s match being in Tulsa, which will allow for more of a normal routine, should be a welcome sight to all FC Tulsa fans. Don’t underestimate the ability for a player to wake up in his own bed on a matchday.
HOW TO FOLLOW
While there will be no stream, FC Tulsa will have full coverage of the match on its @FCTulsa social media handles with highlights and a recap. Fans are welcome to come and watch the match for free at Titan Sports Complex in Jenks at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy this final preseason match before the 2022 season begins.
