USL FC Tulsa

Birmingham Legion FC Edges FC Tulsa 2-1

Published on June 6, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A long and disappointing roadtrip came to a delayed end on Sunday evening as FC Tulsa suffered a 2-1 loss to Birmingham Legion FC. It is the third consecutive road loss for FC Tulsa as the club will take just three points from its four-match, six-week trip away from ONEOK Field.

On a rainy day in Alabama, it was Birmingham who came out of the gate on the front foot as Legion FC peppered FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis. Ultimately Legion FC found the breakthrough when a misplaced ball from Tulsa defender Leo Folla found the path of Birmingham forward J.J. Williams. Williams then sent a cross through the box to an on-rushing Neco Brett who made no mistake in putting Legion FC up 1-0 in the 30' minute.

FC Tulsa started the second half with a renewed sense of purpose and created multiple chances, with forward Jerome Kiesewetter having a shot saved just wide while defender Bradley Bourgeois hit the side netting on a deflected shot. However that momentum was curbed by a three-and-a-half hour rain delay.

Following the delay, it was Birmingham who recorded the first tally as Brett struck again, this time off a feed from substitute Junior Flemmings from a counter attack. However, FC Tulsa kept the pressure on and pulled a goal back from the head of Darío Suárez. The striker turned a cross from Marlon Santos into the net for his third goal of the season.

It looked like Suárez would make it two when a free kick appeared destined for the top corner, but a diving save from Birmingham's Matt VanOekel kept the ball out of the net. Ultimately, the rally would fall just short as FC Tulsa was unable to find the net again and lost its third consecutive match.

GOALS

30' BHM - Neco Brett (J.J. Williams)

75' BHM - Neco Brett (Junior Flemmings)

83" TUL - Darío Suárez (Marlon Santos)

LONG WEATHER DELAY

The match was delayed in the 57' minute due to severe weather in the Birmingham area. The delay lasted more than 3 1/2 hours, resuming at 8:52 p.m. CT.

FIRST START FOR FOLLA

Defender Leo Folla earned his first USL Championship start of his career. The former USL League One player saw a full 90 minutes of action for FC Tulsa beside Kevin Garcia in central defense.

THREE-MATCH SKID

The three-match losing streak for Tulsa is the first since July 13-27, 2019 and it's been since August 18-29 since Tulsa lost three straight on the road.

SUÁREZ STRIKES

Darío Suárez salvaged a goal for FC Tulsa late in the 83' minute off a header from a cross from fellow winger Marlon Santos. It was the third of the season for Suárez and 11th in two seasons with FC Tulsa.

UP NEXT

FC Tulsa will have a 10-day break before it returns to ONEOK Field on Wednesday, June 16 against Sporting KC II. It will be a two-match homestand for FC Tulsa as Saturday, June 19 will see the club face off against Louisville City FC. Both matches will kickoff at 7 p.m.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 6, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central