FC Tulsa Ready to Build on Two Consecutive Clean Sheets & Jump-Start its Offense
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s a return to the Volunteer State for FC Tulsa on Wednesday as the club travels to Memphis for an unusual second time in 2022 after the previously scheduled matchup between FC Tulsa and Memphis 901 FC was postponed due to inclement weather. However, record-high Tennessee temperatures are expected to reach triple digits tomorrow in Memphis, leaving little chance for a second rainout at AutoZone Park.
Donovan Ricketts will make his FC Tulsa interim head coaching debut as the team comes off its first road result of the season, a 0-0 draw at New York Red Bulls II. The former 2x MLS Goalkeeper of the Year takes control of an in-form defensive unit that has come up with back-to-back clean sheets and conceded only one goal over its last three outings after switching formations in early June. Unfortunately for FC Tulsa, the offense has yet to find the same form that the defense has, scoring just once over its last three contests.
“When you move from one system to another system, sometimes it takes a little time to get rolling,” said Ricketts this week when asked about the offense. “We’re just getting the pieces in place.”
The offensive potential is always present, demonstrated by the four occasions in which the FC Tulsa attack has scored three goals. JJ Williams and Rodrigo da Costa have each scored five times this season and 11 different players have logged assists for the club, proving that goals can come from anywhere, and at any time, on the pitch.
If the offense can come alive and match the suffocating defense as of late, don’t be surprised to see FC Tulsa go on a late-summer streak. Tulsa won six of seven to close out the summer last season and was unbeaten through mid-August in 2020.
Kickoff from Memphis is set for 7 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING MEMPHIS 901 FC
Despite a loss to Birmingham Legion FC and a draw with Hartford Athletic in its last two matches, Memphis 901 FC has been one of the hottest clubs in the USL Championship over the last two months. 901 FC has won seven of its last 10 matches in league play dating back to April, including a five-match winning streak that catapulted the Tennessee side into a back-and-forth competition with Louisville City FC for first place in the East.
Memphis pairs the seventh-best defense in terms of goals conceded with an offense boasting the fifth-highest goal tally in the USL Championship. That offense is led by forward Phillip Goodrum who has eight goals to his name in 2022 and tied for the second-highest goal total in the league. In the back, goalkeeper Trey Muse has posted a 65% save pct. in 12 starts this season for 901 FC, making 26 saves and logging two clean sheets.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Wormell Impresses Again
Goalkeeper Austin Wormell continues to shine between the posts for FC Tulsa through his first three starts of the season, racking up two Team of the Week appearances. The Tulsa native has made 15 saves on 16 shots faced and has come up with two consecutive clean sheets. His 93.8% save pct. is the best in the USL Championship amongst goalkeepers who have made multiple starts in 2022.
2) Shutout Streak
FC Tulsa heads into Wednesday night’s match without conceding a goal in its last 253 minutes, the second longest active streak in the USL Championship behind Sacramento Republic FC. If Tulsa reaches the 13’ minute mark against Memphis without allowing a goal, it will break the franchise record, currently set at 265 minutes back in 2017.
3) Watch Party
For fans not wanting to make the 401-mile midweek trek to Tennessee, Elgin Park Brewery is hosting the Official Watch Party of FC Tulsa. Elgin Park will be running a special for FC Tulsa fans in which all pitchers of house-brewed beer will be $10 during the match. Plus, fans will have a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets at the Watch Party, so get there before the 7 p.m. kickoff time and stay late!
HOW TO WATCH
Catch the match locally on My41 in Tulsa and be streamed nationally on ESPN+. As always, fans can follow @FCTulsa on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get team news, in-game updates and match highlights.
