Irvine, Calif. – In a physical affair between the two sides, FC Tulsa battled back in the second half, but it was not enough to cut the 1-0 deficit.
The first half was littered with yellow cards and FC Tulsa was on the receiving front. Three yellow cards were given to three different players. Orange County SC received one yellow card.
The pitch was littered with players being taken down, including Defender Rashid Tetteh who went down and subbed out with Bradley Bourgeois in only 17 minutes in.
The chippy match continued to ensue for the duration of the half while FC Tulsa and Orange County SC almost split possession, FC Tulsa holding 49% possession of the first half.
FC Tulsa had a glimpse at closing that gap when Midfielder Boubacar Diallo sent one that looked promising to flying into the goal but was sent away by the hands of the Orange County SC goalkeeper.
The yellow card frenzy continued into the second half with another for FC Tulsa and two more drawn for Orange County SC.
FC Tulsa tested the Orange County SC keeper Colin Shutler as Midfielder Justin Portillo produced what could have been the equalizer in a desperate effort but was saved by the goalkeeper.
A final effort to cut the deficit was made as Midfielder Nate Worth had a strong diving header in the final minute of the match that fell just to the left of the goal.
While FC Tulsa held 53% of the possession as full time hit, the second half failed to result in goals.
FC Tulsa moves to 1W-1L-0D in the 2024 USL Championship season.
Goals:
26’ OCSC – Sofiane Djeffal
Lineups:
TUL: Michael Creek, Alexis Souahy, Patrick Seagrist, Rashid Tettah, Arthur Rogers, Boubacar Diallo, Justin Portillo, Blaine Ferri, Camilo Ponce, Milo Yosef, Stefan Stojanovic (Subs Used: Alex Dalou, Aaron Kacinari, Nate Worth, Harvey St Clair)
OCSC: Colin Shutler, Charlie Asensio, Andrew Fox, Ashton Miles, Owne Lambe, Sofiane Djeffal, Ashish Chattha, Kevin Partida, Brian Iloski, Thomas Amang, Cameron Dunbar (Subs Used: Ethan Zubak, Kyle Scott, Bryce Jamison)
Cards:
30’ TUL – Yellow Card – Justin Portillo
35’ TUL– Yellow Card – Boubacar Diallo
39’ OCSC – Yellow Card – Ashish Chattha
45 +3’ TUL – Yellow Card – Camilo Ponce
48’ TUL – Yellow Card – Patrick Seagrist
55’ OCSC – Yellow Card – Owen Lambe
67’ OCSC – Yellow Card – Brian Iloski
FC Tulsa will take the pitch at ONEOK Field on April 5 for their 2024 season home opener. To purchase your season tickets, visit https://www.fctulsa.com/2024-season-tickets/.
