Kickoff is Set for 7:30 p.m. CT
Kickoff is Set for 7:30 p.m. CT
Tulsa, OK. – FC Tulsa will be back at ONEOK Field to play one last time in the 2023 USL Championship regular season, hosting Indy Eleven on Saturday evening. Tulsa is searching for three crucial points to keep their playoff quest alive.
After a tough 3-2 road loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last weekend, this matchup versus Indy Eleven is a must-win for FC Tulsa. Playoff scenarios are tight, but a win for Tulsa, a Detroit City FC loss or tie, and Miami FC losing will put the Oklahoma side back above the playoff line.
FC Tulsa have a confidence-boosting record of 5-1-1 versus Indy Eleven, putting an impressive 11 goals past their goalkeepers in the last three seasons. The two sides met once already this season in July, where FC Tulsa took three road points after securing a 1-0 victory.
Phillip Goodrum could be onto a season high goal-scoring record for FC Tulsa history Saturday evening. Currently, he has scored 11 goals this season, tying with Rodrigo da Costa in the season of 2021. Notably, Goodrum was a mid-season transfer to Tulsa from Memphis late in May, highlighting his skill and potential to break the record two seasons in a row.
In the post-match press conference last weekend, head coach Blair Gavin noted that the defensive line of FC Tulsa needed to be more efficient, particularly on set pieces. Captain Bradley Bourgeois has not been included in the lineup since June 9th versus Loudoun but has finally been taken off the injury list. There is a chance he makes his return to ONEOK Field this weekend, after being doubtful he would train again this season after suffering injury.
Indy Eleven will be forced to leave out three players in key positions due to injury, particularly a successor in scoring goals, Aodhan Quinn, who has scored nine goals and is the team leader in chances created.
The Tulsa squad is excited to get back in front of their home fans this weekend after being on the road for three weeks. A message to the fans from forward Phillip Goodrum, “The fans have been electric all year and we are going to need all of the Tulsa faithful behind us for this final push.”
Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7.30 p.m. CT on My41 Tulsa and ESPN+.
SCOUTING INDY ELEVEN
In the USL Championship, Indy Eleven have emerged as a talented team in the 2023 season, currently at a commendable 6th place with a record of 12W-11L-9D (2W-2L-1D in the last five). This performance marks their first return to the Playoffs since 2019 – they made a remarkable run by advancing to the conference final, where their journey came to an end with a 3-1 loss to Louisville City.
One of the standout players for Indy Eleven is midfielder Harrison Robledo, who is demonstrating his capability by leading the league in possession won in the final third. Cameron Lindley is registering the highest number of accurate passes per 90 at 86.1%, where the team leads the league with an impressive 422.3 passes per 90. Additionally, the team ranks second in average possession with 55.9%, with FC Tulsa in fifth place at 52.5%. Last weekend, Indy Eleven shut out Detroit City FC in a 3-0 win at home, dominating the field with 64.8% of the ball. Sebastián Guenzatti and Aodhan Quinn have been attacking threats for Indy Eleven. Guenzatti has led the team in scoring, netting a total of 10 goals, meanwhile Quinn has tallied nine. Both have been opening out the scoring for Indy Eleven this season, scoring early goals.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Phillip Goodrum has executed from the spot with 100% accuracy this season. Scoring 5 penalties this season puts him in second place alongside Sammy Ochoa for the most penalties scored, with Darío Suárez leading with 7. Suárez scored seven over four seasons where he was included with the team, with the last being earlier this season. Goodrum has earned second place by contributing 1796 minutes in 20 games!
OKTOBERFEST NIGHT
This Saturday’s match will be Oktoberfest Night at ONEOK Field, presented by Bill Knight Ford. The Tulsa side will wear limited-edition Oktoberfest Jerseys during warm-ups, and fans will also be able to purchase their own Oktoberfest Jersey on the concourse when gates open at 6:30 p.m. CT. The festivities continue with a Stein Holding Competition, taking place during halftime!
$1 BEER IS BACK ONE LAST TIME
Back by popular demand, FC Tulsa has added a final $1 Beer Night to the calendar in celebration of Oktoberfest! Fans can purchase a $15 Midfield Terrace ticket to access $1 beers beginning when gates open at 6.30 p.m., and FC Tulsa Oktoberfest Koozies will be available at the bar. Fans must be 21+ to enter the area, and beer purchased in the $1 beer area cannot be taken into other parts of the stadium.
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.