Match Kicks Off at 7 p.m. CT
TULSA – Following a strong result on the road last weekend to open the regular season, another playoff club from a season ago awaits FC Tulsa on its home turf. Birmingham Legion FC is next up for FC Tulsa as Blair Gavin and co. look to bring points back to Tulsa prior to its Home Opener on March 25.
In Miami, flashbacks of the 2022 season commenced as FC Tulsa conceded the first goal of the match, something it did 18 times last year and wound up losing 12 of those contests. Not to mention, FC Tulsa dropped 11 of its 17 matches away from home to boot.
It appears FC Tulsa fans can safely lay those painful memories from a year ago to rest as Tulsa took all of 80 seconds to respond to Miami’s opening goal. Milo Yosef opened his professional scoring account in the 28’ minute on Saturday in his first pro appearance to level things at 1-1, the scoreline that would prove final. Yosef was no stranger to scoring over his collegiate career at Marshall, tallying 27 goals (fifth-best in program history) and 18 assists (third-best in program history) for the Thundering Herd over four years.
Two backline injuries forced Blair Gavin to creatively manage his defensive line for the first time as a head coach, and both the gaffer and players responded to the challenge. Once again, FC Tulsa will be tested on the road, this time by one of the USL Championship’s top offensive units on paper and a veteran head coach who has led Legion FC to the Playoffs in each of its four USL-C seasons in Tom Soehn.
Kickoff from Protective Stadium on Friday night is set for 7 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham Legion FC was busy this offseason acquiring offensive firepower in order to pack a more lethal punch up top. The club went out and inked former Indy Eleven man Tyler Pasher who has 31 goals and 14 assists under his USL Championship belt, including playoff action, before appearing for the Houston Dynamo in MLS the previous two seasons.
In addition to Pasher, Enzo Martínez and Prosper Kasim give Legion FC head coach Tom Soehn plenty of options atop his formation. Birmingham enters the match having drawn its opener vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1-1.
STAT OF THE MATCH
In six career meetings with Legion FC, FC Tulsa has posted a 4W-1L-1D record. Half of those meetings, of course, have occurred in Alabama and FC Tulsa has won each of its last two matches in the Magic City – Tulsa’s only loss in Birmingham occurred on June 6, 2021.
WATCH PARTY
The Official Watch Party of FC Tulsa will be held at the Tulsan Athletic Club on Friday night. The TAC will be offering drink specials, including the 918 Cerveza for $4 and Domestic pitchers for $10.
TUNE IN
To watch every minute of FC Tulsa’s clash with Legion FC, fans can tune in locally on My41 Tulsa or stream nationally on any device on ESPN+. Be sure to follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date with match highlights and more.
