Kickoff is Set for 9 p.m. CT
Kickoff is Set for 9 p.m. CT
SEASIDE, Calif. – Last Wednesday, FC Tulsa was given a 12% chance to win at Louisville City FC, according to FiveThirtyEight. After beating LouCity in dramatic fashion with an 89’ minute goal by Phillip Goodrum, a fired-up and confident Tulsa squad is set to make the 1,665-mile trip to Seaside to take on Monterey Bay F.C.
“I think as we talk each week, it’s about continuing to build, and this [result] is great because these guys have been working so hard on the training pitch without the reward that I felt like they have deserved,” Blair Gavin told Tulsa media following the Louisville match. “Now, after getting that reward and understanding that feeling, hopefully we can keep carrying the work from training and the lessons and move forward with a very difficult win.”
Goodrum’s acquisition paid off handsomely with a match-winner and Team of the Week honor after just one match in a Tulsa shirt, but a club that wants to score can never have enough weaponry up front, evident by the acquisition of another forward, Patrick Weah, on loan from Minnesota United FC earlier this week.
Monterey Bay F.C.’s defense has been known to surrender goals through 11 matches this season, 17 of them to be exact. Tulsa is looking to keep the Union’s lively offense at bay while its bolstered attack exploits a backline that has conceded multiple goals on five occasions.
These two sides matched up last season on October 12 at ONEOK Field following a two-day delay from the originally-scheduled date. FC Tulsa claimed all three points from the contest by way of a 2-0 victory featuring a brace from Marcus Epps.
FC Tulsa’s second #USLAfterDark kickoff over the past three weeks is set for 9 p.m. CT from Cardinale Stadium.
SCOUTING MONTEREY BAY
Coming into the match on 10 days rest, Monterey Bay F.C. has seen its proud standing near the top of the Western Conference table dwindle following back-to-back losses. Overall, the Union are winless in its last four and find itself in 9th place in the West, one point out of a playoff spot with 13 points in 11 outings.
The club’s offense has proved potent with 18 goals (T-2nd in the league) and has scored three or more goals three times this season. Alex Dixon has been a menace in 2023 after abandoning Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the offseason. The 33-year-old has tallied seven goals and one assist for Monterey Bay F.C. while appearing in all 11 matches. On the other side of the ball, the Crisp and Kelp’s defense has been suspect with 17 goals surrendered.
STAT OF THE MATCH
FC Tulsa has been excellent with the ball at its feet this year, ranking second in total passes (5,509) and 8th in average possession (52.3%). The club has also created 39 scoring opportunities, the 5th-most in the USL Championship.
WATCH PARTY
The Official Watch Party of FC Tulsa will be held at the Tulsan Athletic Club on Wednesday night. The TAC is offering free pickleball from 5-10 p.m., 918 Cerveza priced at $4, and $10 domestic pitchers.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be broadcasted locally on My41 Tulsa and streamed nationally on ESPN+.
STAY UPDATED
For highlights, polls, updates and more throughout matchday, be sure to follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
