FC Tulsa to Host Atlanta United 2 on Military Appreciation Night
TULSA – FC Tulsa is coming off what is perhaps its most dramatic finish of the season with goals in the 85’ and 90+7’ minutes to salvage a point on the road, showing grit, mental toughness, and the determination to battle back. Tulsa hosts Atlanta United 2 at home tomorrow night, and according to FC Tulsa interim head coach Donovan Ricketts, the momentum WILL carry over to Saturday.
Atlanta United 2 is a club FC Tulsa fans are likely familiar with as the two sides matched up four times a season ago in the Central Division of the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. They split the season series two apiece, a rivalry that saw the home side win each contest. However, regardless of the opponent, FC Tulsa is always a safe bet to win at home.
The black and gold have posted a 5W-2L-2D record at home with a +4 goal differential thus far in 2022. It has also been a long time since FC Tulsa lost at home – you have to go all the way back to April 23 to find the last time Tulsa dropped all three points in front of the Tulsa faithful, a 2-0 loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC that also marked the only time in nine matches that FC Tulsa did not score a goal at home.
Momentum is a funny thing in sports. When a team gets hot, its success can bleed into the next half. Then the next contest. Then before you know it, an entire season can be turned on its head in the blink of an eye. Don’t forget – FC Tulsa is only five points out of a playoff spot with 15 matches left to play. This thing is far from over.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2
With its focus primarily on developing young talent for its MLS parent squad, Atlanta United 2 finds itself near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, just as it has since its inception back in 2018. Atlanta comes into Saturday night in 11th place in the East with 15 points and a -22 goal differential, the second-worst in the USL Championship behind New York Red Bulls II (-24). However, results have been more favorable for Atlanta as of late with the club posting a 2W-2L-2D record over its last six matches, accounting for nearly half of its 2022 point total.
While several aspects of Atlanta United 2’s roster see plenty of turnover, the quality of midfielder Robbie Mertz does not. Mertz logged over 2,000 minutes for Atlanta United 2 last season, and with three goals and a club-leading six assists in 2022, Mertz has been the facilitator and go-to man along with forward Jackson Conway who leads the club with six goals scored.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW (+1 Extra, Why Not?)
1) Welcome to Tulsa, Noah Powder
On Tuesday, FC Tulsa announced that it had traded for wingback Noah Powder from Indy Eleven in exchange for goalkeeper Sean Lewis. Powder is a two-time USL Championship title winner, lifting the trophy with New York Red Bulls II in 2016 and again with Real Monarchs SLC in 2019. He concluded the 2021 season in MLS with Real Salt Lake where he would make seven appearances for the club.
Powder also became a mainstay in the Trinidad and Tobago National Team roster dating back to the 2021 Gold Cup. In total, Powder has capped 12 times for the senior “Soca Warriors” squad. Domestically, the 23-year-old has made 115 USL Championship appearances (including playoffs) with 12 goals and 10 assists.
2) Late Drama
FC Tulsa has always seemed to have a flair for the dramatic, and this season has been no different. In 2022, 10 of the club’s 24 goals have come later than the 75’ mark, including goals from Darío Suárez in the 85’ minute and Rodrigo da Costa in the 90+7’ minute. Dating back to last season, FC Tulsa has scored 23 goals in the final 15 minutes of the match plus stoppage and has clinched a result from a goal scored beyond the 75’ minute five times (three wins and two draws).
3) Military Appreciation Night
Saturday night will be Military Appreciation Night at ONEOK Field. All active duty and former military personnel will receive a complimentary ticket to the match by showing your Military I.D. at the box office. Family members of military personnel will also receive a special ticket price! Military vehicles will be parked outside of ONEOK Field throughout the night for fans to check out and take pictures with as well.
4) Summer Concert Series
Charlie Redd and Luna Voodoo will be rocking the FC Tulsa Summer Concert Series stage, bringing their funky-soul groove to all of Tulsa right outside the ONEOK gates. The free concert starts at 6:00 p.m., so get there early and ready to groove!
HOW TO WATCH
If you are not able to make it out to the match at ONEOK Field, it will be broadcasted on My41 locally in Tulsa and will be available to stream on ESPN+. Be sure to follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for live updates, news, highlights, and more throughout the match!
