USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Draws Birmingham Legion FC 1-1

Published on September 11, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - A late goal again decided an FC Tulsa match, but on Saturday night at ONEOK Field, it didn't fall in Tulsa's favor as Birmingham Legion equalized in the 80' minute to earn a 1-1 draw and end Tulsa's five-match winning streak.

While it wasn't the full three points, FC Tulsa's draw extended its unbeaten streak to a season-best six matches and continued to create separation towards the top of the Central Division. Tulsa still trails Birmingham by two points for the coveted second place spot in the division that comes with a home playoff match. While the sides won't meet again in 2021, each still has nine matches left to play and everything is still to be decided.

The match started brightly for FC Tulsa, and just like in the previous five matches, FC Tulsa found the scoresheet first. Like he's done since joining FC Tulsa five weeks ago, forward Jason Johnson created the first goal of the match, getting free in the box during a cross. To prevent the wide open attempt, Birmingham defender Ryan James pulled down Johnson, making for a simple penalty call.

Suárez made no mistake on his second penalty of the week as he beat Birmingham keeper Trevor Spangenberg in the 29'. It marked the fifth match in the last that Suárez appeared on the scoresheet with a goal or an assist. From the spot, Suárez is automatic so far in 2021, converting all three opportunities he's taken.

FC Tulsa defended its net bravely throughout the next 50 minutes until second half substitute J.J. Williams equalized on a header that dinked off the far post and across the line.

It wasn't until the final kick of the match that FC Tulsa had a chance to take all three points. A corner kick in the waning seconds of stoppage time taken by Lebo Moloto found the head of Marlon, whose attempt skimmed over the top of the net.

GOALS

29' TUL - Darío Suárez (penalty)

80' BHM - J.J. Williams (Mikey Lopez)

SUPER DARÍO AGAIN FROM THE SPOT

It was the second straight match that Darío Suárez stepped up to the penalty spot in a tie match, and for the second time, the Cuban dynamo converted. While the goal didn't come in the 89' minute like Wednesday's, it did continue the trend of Tulsa netting the first tally. It was Suárez's eighth goal of the season, matching his team leading tally in 2020.

DEFENSE COMES UP BIG

While Birmingham scored a late equalizer, FC Tulsa held the fort against a potent Birmingham attack. Legion FC put up 20 shots, however only four reached the target with the long equalizer going over the line.

MOLOTO MAKES MAGIC

Midfielder Lebo Moloto continued his creation in the midfield with five chances created, the most for any player on either team. Moloto nearly had an assist on his final touch of the match when his corner found the head of Marlon, but his shot skimmed the top of the net.

CENTRAL DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE

Team Matches Played Record (W-L-D) Points

Louisville City FC 22 13-5-4 43

Birmingham Legion FC 23 12-7-4 40

FC Tulsa 23 12-9-2 38

Indy Eleven 23 8-10-5 29

OKC Energy FC 23 7-8-8 29

Atlanta United 2 23 7-9-7 28

Memphis 901 FC 21 6-8-7 25

Sporting KC II 25 4-14-7 19

UP NEXT

FC Tulsa returns to ONEOK Field next Saturday to take on Austin Bold FC on 918 Day. It's the second out of four "non-division" matchups for FC Tulsa in 2021 as Austin is the Mountain Division of the Western Conference. Tulsa played Austin three times in 2020 and the sides drew all three times.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 11, 2021


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