Kickoff is Set for 7 p.m., Gates Open at 6 p.m.
Kickoff is Set for 7 p.m., Gates Open at 6 p.m.
TULSA – A critical Eastern Conference matchup looms on Wednesday between FC Tulsa and Birmingham Legion FC at ONEOK Field, two sides separated by only four points in the standings. Both are clinging to playoff spots at the moment, but recent surges from the bottom of the table make securing the three points paramount for FC Tulsa.
FC Tulsa is winless over its last four outings, a stretch consisting of one draw and three losses. However, FC Tulsa has fared well against Birmingham in the past, posting a 4W-2L-1D record against the Alabama side with a 14-9 goal advantage to boot.
In three matches vs. Legion FC at ONEOK Field, Tulsa is undefeated, going 2W-0L-1D.
The previous bout between Blair Gavin and Birmingham head coach Tom Soehn was a barnburner in mid-March. FC Tulsa held a 2-1 advantage heading into the final seven minutes of regulation, but late goals from Legion FC in the 83’ and 90+2’ minute flipped the script.
With four consecutive matches vs. Western Conference opponents on the docket for FC Tulsa, Wednesday night marks the final time the club can pick up points over a rival from the East until September 23.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING THE LEGION
Birmingham Legion FC snapped a four-match winless streak of its own last Saturday with a 2-0 win over Louisville City FC. Both of Legion FC’s scoring leaders, Neco Brett and Enzo Martínez, scored in the affair as the club maintained its seventh-place standing in the Eastern Conference table. Birmingham has not been the sharpest this season outside of Protective Stadium, posting a 4W-7L-1D record away from home.
Scoring has not been an issue for Birmingham in 2023, but the defense has been suspect at times for the Alabama side. Four Legion FC players have scored four goals or more (Martínez with 9, Brett with 6, Pasher and Agudelo with 4), and the club’s 33 total goals are tied for the ninth-most in the league. However, its 40 goals conceded tie Birmingham for the fourth-most in the USL Championship.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Phillip Goodrum converted another penalty kick last Friday vs. Tampa Bay, remaining a perfect 4/4 on the season from the spot. Goodrum now sits alongside Joaquín Rivas and Juan Pablo Coffa for the third-most PK goals in club history, trailing only Sammy Ochoa (5) and Darío Suárez (7).
GREENWOOD NIGHT
FC Tulsa is hosting Greenwood Night on Wednesday night where the club will attempt to set a record at halftime for the largest group of people reciting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The first 3,500 fans will receive a free “I Am a Dreamer” t-shirt, Charlie Redd will play a free concert outside of the Greenwood Gate at ONEOK from 6-7 p.m., and local Black-owned businesses will be set up across the concourse to visit with and shop.
HOW TO WATCH
Wednesday night’s 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, Instagram, and Threads.
