Match Kicks Off on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. CT
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Riding high after what interim head coach Donovan Ricketts and players alike described as a “must win” against Charleston Battery on Saturday, FC Tulsa is set to travel to the Alamo City to renew its rivalry with the top dog in the Western Conference, San Antonio FC.
The two sides have a history that dates back to 2016, San Antonio’s inaugural season in the USL Championship. Tuesday night’s matchup marks the 15th meeting between the two sides, the bulk of which accrued over four seasons spent together in the league’s Western Conference and three more contests in 2020 with both clubs competing in Group D throughout the regular season. Although FC Tulsa trails the all-time series with a 4W-6L-4D record, the tide has shifted a bit in Tulsa’s favor as of late with the club going 2W-1L-3D since 2019.
The sole meeting between San Antonio and FC Tulsa in 2021 resulted in a 1-1 draw down in Texas. San Antonio opened the scoring in the 25’ minute, but Rodrigo da Costa equalized just minutes later, tucking a long-range bender from 22 yards out just inside the far post, warping around the San Antonio keeper in the 27’ minute.
FC Tulsa has failed to come away with points only once in its last five matches, and Tuesday night is the perfect opportunity to prove itself against one of the USL Championship’s top opponents in front of a national audience on ESPN2. Fresh off a JJ Williams brace, the Tulsa offense will look to carry momentum with it on the road and make San Antonio’s time atop the Western Conference short-lived.
Kickoff from Toyota Field is set for 8 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING SAN ANTONIO FC
San Antonio FC has not missed the playoffs since the 2019 USL Championship season, and barring a catastrophic collapse in the second half of this season, the Texas side will likely be in the mix come late October once again. San Antonio leads the Western Conference with 34 points earned and an 11W-3L-1D record in 2022, shooting itself into first place with a win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Friday.
San Antonio’s offense is tied for the 10th-most goals scored in the league this season, but the defense has been its bread and butter. The club’s seven clean sheets are tied with Miami FC’s total for the second-most in the USL Championship, and the defense has only conceded 11 times through 15 matches. Typically operating with three in the back, San Antonio looks to dominate possession in the midfield and let its forwards use their pace to get behind the opposing defenders.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) Three Points Out
Despite FC Tulsa earning its first win in 49 days on Saturday over Charleston, it has managed to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot over the course of the first half of the season. Tulsa is 1W-1L-3D over its last five matches and finds itself only three points behind Miami FC and Indy Eleven for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
2) Wormell Stays Hot
With five consecutive starts under his belt, goalkeeper Austin Wormell continues to be tremendous for FC Tulsa between the goalposts in 2022. The Tulsa native and Rogers State alum has made 25 saves on 29 shots faced, good for an 86.2% save pct., the highest mark amongst all USL Championship goalkeepers who have made at least four appearances. Wormell was also named to the USL Championship Team of the Week in both Week 13 and Week 15.
3) Williams Bags 20
JJ Williams hit a career milestone on Saturday night following his first-half brace. The forward notched the 19th and 20th goals of his USL Championship career (including playoffs), seven of which have come as a member of FC Tulsa this season. Williams owns the fourth-highest career USL Championship goal total on Tulsa’s active roster behind Brian Brown (41), Lebo Moloto (30), and Rodrigo da Costa (28).
HOW TO WATCH
This one is a little bit different, folks. Tuesday night’s matchup will ONLY be available to watch or stream on ESPN2 and kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. C.T. As always, throw @FCTulsa a follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for live updates, news, results, and more.
