USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Falls in Season Opener

March 12, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - An early goal allowed in the first half and a questionable refereeing decision in the second felled FC Tulsa in its season opener against the Charleston Battery 1-0. Augustine Williams scored the lone tally for Charleston in the 10' minute and any hope of a Tulsa rally was snuffed out when Tulsa's Rodrigo da Costa was shown a second yellow for a called foul where almost no contact was made.

It was a very uncharacteristic weather night in Charleston, which resulted in gusty winds and temperatures in the 40's for kickoff on the East Coast. FC Tulsa played into the wind in the first half and were hit early on a Charleston counter attack.

In the 10' minute, the Battery broke away on a 2-on-1 and capitalized as Williams slotted home his chance in alone against FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis. That score held until the break as Tulsa went into the locker room down a goal.

Disaster struck early in the second half. In the 56' minute, da Costa and former teammate Matt Sheldon went up for a 50/50 ball. Already on a yellow card, da Costa shied away from contact as Sheldon jumped into his back. Unfortunately for Tulsa, the referee questionably interpreted the contact as coming from da Costa, and the Brazilian was given a second yellow and ejected from the match.

Down a man for more than 30 minutes, FC Tulsa continued looking for an equalizer and actually controlled more of the chances in the final third of the match. However, the goal never came, and FC Tulsa dropped its season opener for the first time since 2018.

Attached are Finals Stats and Postmatch Quotes from head coach Michael Nsien, midfielder Petar Čuić and midfielder Rodrigo da Costa.

GOALS

10' CHS - Augustine Williams (Aiden Apodaca)

RED SHOWN

As it stands, Rodrigo da Costa will miss FC Tulsa's home opener due to the two yellows (and subsequent red) he was shown by the referee. Due to the questionable nature of the call, FC Tulsa can appeal the decision and if successful, that would allow da Costa to play next Saturday.

TEAM DEBUTS

Seven different players made their FC Tulsa debuts on Saturday night in Charleston as Brian Brown, JJ Williams, Machuca, Petar Čuić, Gabi Torres, Ronald Rodríguez and Adriàn Diz Pe all claimed their first appearance in Tulsa gold.

CONTROLLING THE MATCH

Despite playing more than a third of the match down a man, FC Tulsa controlled most aspects of the match outside of the scoreboard. Tulsa owned a 62%-38% advantage in possession while outshooting Charleston 17-9. Tulsa's defense limited the Battery to just one shot on target, the goal scored in the 10' minute. Ultimately, the stats weren't enough for Tulsa to come away with a win.

UP NEXT

FC Tulsa heads back to Tulsa for it's 2022 Home Opener next Saturday night at ONEOK Field where a large crowd is expected. Birmingham Legion will come to town, a team that FC Tulsa played twice in Tulsa last season, resulting in a win and a draw. Kickoff for Saturday's match is 7:30 p.m. CT.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 12, 2022


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