Darío Suárez’s Seventh Career Penalty Conversion Earns Tulsa a Point
Darío Suárez’s Seventh Career Penalty Conversion Earns Tulsa a Point
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – A night packed to the brim with scoring chances for FC Tulsa ultimately resulted in split points on Saturday night between FC Tulsa and Detroit City FC. The squad put in a complete shift in which it led Detroit in virtually every offensive and defensive statistic, but the sound of multiple shots bellowing off the woodwork will ring loudly in the ears of Tulsa’s players and coaches throughout the rest of the evening.
Detroit City opened up as the stronger side, controlling the majority of the possession and pressing with a suffocating efficiency. The clinical physicality applied by the home squad yielded Le Rouge the opening goal of the contest, a bender from 25 yards out off the boot of Abdoulaye Diop.
After playing catch-up through the first half hour of play, Blair Gavin made an early substitution in which Blaine Ferri entered the action in place of Brett Levis who appeared to pick up an injury.
One minute later, Ferri came within inches of an equalizer when he beat the DCFC keeper, but his shot ricocheted off the left upright. In the 39′ minute, it was Marcus Epps’ turn to hit the woodwork when his shot from distance clattered off the right post as FC Tulsa commandeered control of every aspect of the match, but the club’s first goal continued to elude it.
The breakthrough finally came when the home side was whistled for a blatant handball inside the box in the 45′ minute. Darío Suárez, the Cuban who had never missed from the spot in his professional career, took the attempt and extended his perfect 6/6 record from the penalty spot to 7/7.
The goal marked Suárez’s fifth career goal against Detroit City FC, and to celebrate the occasion, Suárez raised his hand behind his ear while eyeing the crowd with a sly smile and a wink.
Tulsa continued to dictate the pace of the game in the second half by leading in chances created, shots, and possession. Marcus Epps and Milo Yosef became more involved on the wings as the go-ahead goal for the side in white felt imminent.
Detroit City FC was reduced to 10 men in the 83′ minute following an unnecessary and dangerous challenge by Rhys Willimas against Tulsa goalkeeper Michael Nelson. Williams was subsequently flashed his second yellow card of the match and ejected.
A flurry of shots by Tulsa immediately followed until the final whistle, but a Detroit City defense that had not allowed more than one goal in any match this season refused to allow another.
Despite edging out Le Rouge in xG (2.37 -0.77), shots (15-13), possession (59%-41%), and tackles won (14-8), FC Tulsa was unable to pull ahead as the match finished 1-1.
UP NEXT
FC Tulsa is on the road in Sin City next Saturday, May 13 to take on Las Vegas Lights FC. The match is set for a 9:30 p.m. CT kickoff to provide fans with a bit of #USLAfterDark action.
