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USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Falls to Charleston Battery

April 15, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - Saturday's 90-minute affair between FC Tulsa and Charleston Battery ended in defeat for the Black and Patina by a 2-1 scoreline. Despite putting more shots on frame than the opposition (7-4) and controlling 60% of the ball throughout the match, FC Tulsa was unable to convert its opportunities into goals, resulting in three dropped points at home.

It took just four minutes for the first goal of the match to be fired into the back of the net. Unfortunately for FC Tulsa, the visitors were the beneficiary of the score. Charleston drove through its afforded space down the right flank and the ball ultimately ended up at the feet of the Battery's Nick Markanich who converted the easy tap-in chance and put his club up, 1-0.

That scoreline lasted all of 10 minutes as a prompt reply from FC Tulsa's Marcus Epps leveled things in a hurry. Following a short corner, FC Tulsa pinged the ball around dangerously while looking for its opening. Ultimately, it was sent out wide to Milo Yosef who delivered the ball into the box towards Epps who got on the end of it for his third goal of the season.

Epps' goal proved the third time this season in which FC Tulsa responded to conceding the first goal of the match with a score of its own in 10 minutes or less.

The first 45-minute window concluded with FC Tulsa leading Charleston in xG (0.62-0.32), passes in its opponent's final third (68-48), and possession (60%-40%)

Five minutes into the second half, Charleston took its second lead of the match via Donte Polvara's first goal of the season in the 50' minute following a Tulsa turnover in its own end.

Both clubs proceeded to utilize all five substitutions at their disposal as Tulsa desperately searched for an equalizer and the Battery looked to bunker down to protect their marginal advantage. One of Tulsa's five substitutes was none other than 16-year-old and United States Youth National Team midfielder Nate Worth to mark the teenager's FC Tulsa league debut.

Before FC Tulsa could find its second of the match, the painful sound of the final whistle echoed throughout ONEOK Field to signal FC Tulsa's second consecutive loss in USL Championship play.

Attached are Final Stats and Postmatch Quotes from head coach Blair Gavin, forward Marcus Epps, forward Milo Yosef, and midfielder Nate Worth.

GOALS

4' CHS - Nick Markanich (assist: Derek Dodson)

14' TUL - Marcus Epps (assist: Milo Yosef)

50' CHS - Dante Polvara

UP NEXT

The bye week awaits FC Tulsa as the club has 13 days off before its next USL Championship affair. On April 29, FC Tulsa hosts Western Conference side Sacramento Republic FC at home.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 15, 2023


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