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FC Tulsa

Big Second Half Gives Roughnecks 4-0 Win

July 25, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Friday night, Tulsa Roughnecks FC traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, the site of Tulsa's greatest soccer accomplishment, and the trip was again a success. The Roughnecks got four second-half goals and posted a 4-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Thunderbird Stadium.

While not of the significance of the original Roughnecks North American title 35 years earlier that was won at Vancouver's B.C. Place, it was still an important victory for Tulsa. The result improved the Roughnecks' point total to 25 and moved them into the sixth and final playoff spot in the USL's Western Conference. Tulsa, whose record now stands at 7-8-4, climbed above Vancouver, Portland and Orange County in the standings with the three points.

In a tightly contest first half, chances were limited but both goalkeepers were called upon the make saves. Tulsa's Jake Feener made a pair of diving stops, the first coming in the 17th minute on shot from Marco Bustos and the second coming seven minutes later when he denied Billy Schuler.

The Roughnecks first real chance came on a 22nd minute corner. A header from Ryan Price forced a diving save from Vancouver goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi.

Just before halftime, left back Iarfhlaith Davoren pushed up and fired a left-footed volley that was inches wide of the far post to keep the match scoreless.

After the break, things opened up for the Roughnecks with the first goal coming in the 51st minute. Brady Ballew raced down the right wing before sending a cross to the back post. Steven Miller volleyed the cross into the box and onto the foot of Sammy Ochoa who blasted past Tornaghi. It was Ochoa's third goal of the season.

It would not be Ballew's final run down the right side.

Five minutes later the Roughnecks found a second goal, and again Ballew was involved. His cross from the right side found Miller whose leaping header found the back of the net to make it 2-0. Like Ochoa, it was Miller's third goal of the 2015 campaign.

Ballew's hard work finally paid off in a goal of his own in the 86th minute. He again found space down the wing, and his right-footed blast beat Tornaghi to make it 3-0. It was 4th goal for Ballew.

Substitute Kyrian Kidd capped the big night in stoppage time. Kidd fought through two Whitecaps defenders and slotted a shot into the lower, right-corner of the net to make the final 4-0.

Feener recorded his first professional shutout in his fourth start for the Roughnecks. It was Tulsa's first shutout since blanking Austin 1-0 on May 24.

The only bad news for the Roughnecks came in the form of yellow cards. Ochoa and Chad Bond picked up cautions, the fifth of the season for each, meaning they will both miss Tulsa's next match.

That next match will come against the same Whitecaps. The two teams will meet again next Friday, July 31 at Tulsa's ONEOK Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm CDT.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 25, 2015


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