The Match Kicks Off at 5 p.m.
The Match Kicks Off at 5 p.m.
TULSA – FC Tulsa was dealt a difficult hand to begin the 2023 season by way of a schedule consisting of seven clubs currently in playoff position through seven matches. Tulsa’s slate of contests does not let up on Saturday when Western Conference leaders Sacramento Republic FC travel to ONEOK Field, but consistent and continuous improvement by FC Tulsa in recent matches indicates this weekend’s result is far from predetermined and Saturday’s points are there for the taking.
Over its last four outings, FC Tulsa has retained 60% or more of the ball on three occasions and either matched or registered more shots on target than its opponents. Tulsa’s total shot count has also continued to rise in each of its last four matches, culminating in its highest shot total of the season last time out vs. Charleston Battery (13).
In addition, FC Tulsa has still only failed to score in one match this season.
Rodrigo da Costa continues to create scoring chances at a rate that puts him near the top of the USL Championship. The Brazilian midfielder has produced 17 goal opportunities for his teammates, the third-most in the league. Along the way, da Costa has compiled an expected assist rate (xA) of 1.7, good for eighth-best in the USL-C.
Da Costa and the rest of the offense will need to muster every ounce of its creativity and playmaking ability to shut down a Sacramento side that remains unbeaten in 2023.
FC Tulsa is still looking for its first head-to-head win over Sacramento Republic FC dating back to Tulsa’s time spent in the Western Conference pre-2020. A sickening concession in the 86’ minute last March proved enough to give Sacramento the 2-1 edge over FC Tulsa, a scoreline that would finalize just moments later.
Kickoff from ONEOK is set for 5 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO
Sacramento has been a dominant offensive force through seven matches this season, but its scoring prowess has been outshined by the club’s historic defensive form. The Republic has kept six clean sheets and allowed only one goal all season, the second-best defensive start in USL Championship history behind the 2012 Rochester Rhinos. Overall, it has been 518 league minutes since the California side has conceded.
On the other side of the ball, Sacramento has tallied 13 goals, the second-most in the league behind Monterey Bay F.C. In the offseason, the Republic made it a point to add additional weapons up top and brought in Russell Cicerone, the forward from Pittsburgh who accounted for 31 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for the Hounds between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Cicerone and midfielder Luís Felipe are both tied atop the 2023 Sacramento scoring column with four goals apiece.
STAT OF THE MATCH
With an appearance on Saturday night, two FC Tulsa men will cross the 150 career regular-season USL Championship appearance threshold. Bradley Bourgeois will do so by way of six appearances for RGV Toros FC (2016), 39 for Nashville SC (2018–2019), and 105 for Tulsa (2017, 2020–present). Bird hits 150 with three appearances for Penn FC (2015), 72 for RGV (2016–2019), and 75 for Tulsa (2020–present).
AG NIGHT
To pay homage to Oklahoma’s central position in the United States agricultural industry, FC Tulsa is hosting Ag Night on Saturday. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive Ag Night t-shirt. Multiple sizes are available while supplies last.
HOW TO WATCH
Tickets to the match are still available for purchase here. If you can’t make it out to ONEOK Field, the match will be broadcasted locally on My41 Tulsa and streamed nationally on ESPN+.
