USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa at Memphis 901 FC, Saturday, July 24, 7:30 p.m. CT, Autozone Park

Published on July 23, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - While it remains to be seen if any FC Tulsa players don blue suede cleats on Saturday night, the club will be walking in Memphis for the first time in its seven-year history this weekend as FC Tulsa books a first class ticket to Memphis 901 FC.

Sitting three points off of second place in the Central Division, FC Tulsa will need another bounce back performance following last weekend's disappointing loss to Black Gold Derby rival OKC Energy FC. They'll look for those three points on the banks of the Mississippi with plenty of eyeballs watching back at home.

For the first time in club history, FC Tulsa will play a regular season match on local network television as the broadcast has been moved to FOX23 due to the exploding FC Tulsa fan base over the 2021 season. That manifested last Saturday night with over 5,000 fans in ONEOK Field for the highest crowd in the FC Tulsa era and the most in franchise history since 2018's season opener.

Attached are FC Tulsa Match Notes and Prematch Quotes from head coach Michael Nsien and defender Bradley Bourgeois

ABOUT MEMPHIS 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC has experienced a turbulent start to their 2021 campaign, although their record is somewhat deceiving at this point. Currently, Memphis sits tied for last in the Central Division, ahead of last place Sporting Kansas City II only by goal difference. However, Memphis has only played 11 games, the fewest in the division. When the table is adjusted for points per match, Memphis is in sixth.

Kyle Murphy leads the club with five goals, patrolling the top of Memphis' strike force that still hasn't gotten going this season. In 11 matches, Memphis has scored multiple goals just four times, compared to Tulsa who has seven multi-goal matches in 12.

One key addition for Memphis made recently is standout goalkeeper Kyle Morton, who 901 FC acquired on loan from MLS' Houston Dynamo FC. Morton has stabilized Memphis' defense, allowing just one total goal in his two matches in net for Memphis.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS

Memphis 901 FC marks the fourth and final new opponent on FC Tulsa's 2021 schedule. FC Tulsa has already made first time trips to Indy Eleven, Atlanta United 2 and Birmingham Legion FC this season. Over FC Tulsa's final 20 matches this season, four will be played against Memphis.

DA COSTA KEEPS SCORING

Rodrigo da Costa is red hot. The Brazilian attacker has either scored or assisted in six of his last eight matches. He currently ranks in the top 10 in the league in both goals (7) and assists (4) in 2021 and leads FC Tulsa in both categories. No player in the Central Division has more goals and assists.

ROAD WARRIORS

This will be FC Tulsa's eighth road match in its first 13 matches and next Wednesday at Atlanta United 2 will be the ninth of the first 14. While FC Tulsa has been hot and cold so far on the road with a 3W-1D-3L record. FC Tulsa has found results in each of its last two road matches, a win over Rio Grande Valley FC and a draw at OKC Energy FC.

DEFENSE A KEY

While it may seem obvious, FC Tulsa is at its best when it doesn't allow goals. When allowing fewer than two goals, Tulsa is 4W-1D-0L, a credit to the team's explosive offense. Meanwhile, when allowing multiple goals, the club is 2W-0D-5L. Memphis has scored multiple goals in just four of its 11 matches this season.

HOW TO TUNE IN

TV: FOX23

Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)

Follow: You can follow @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 23, 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.

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