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USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Falls to Tampa Bay Rowdies

August 19, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - Emotions ran high on Friday night from start to finish as FC Tulsa nearly battled back from a 2-0 deficit to swipe a point from the Tampa Bay Rowdies. A Phillip Goodrum penalty in the 76' minute closed the gap, but ultimately it was not enough as FC Tulsa's current winless streak extended to four.

Many soccer matches commence slowly with both sides searching for a way into the match - not this one. An explosive first five minutes saw Tampa Bay nearly open the scoring within 17 seconds, but miss wide. Over the ensuing four minutes, the former teammates from Memphis 901 FC a year ago, Patrick Seagrist and Phillip Goodrum, both nearly found the back of the net as well.

Despite typically operating in a 3-5-2 formation, a myriad of key injuries for Tampa Bay forced the side into a 3-4-3 formation on Friday night, and the side certainly appeared shaky early on in the back.

The match slowed after the snappy start to a more balanced half of soccer. 48% of play occurred in the middle third of the pitch with the Rowdies controlling the bulk of the possession, but failing to steer a single attempt on target. FC Tulsa tested Tampa keeper Connor Sparrow twice in the first period but was unable to get a shot past the man in goal.

Tampa Bay drew first blood in the 50' minute when JJ Williams found Cal Jennings to strike first.

Nine minutes later, an errant touch from the Tulsa defense inside its own 18 yard box resulted in dispossession and a two-time hit from Williams doubled the Tampa Bay lead.

A frightening collision in the 67' minute in which Moses Dyer was struck by the knee of Williams on a corner kick resulted in a six minute delay. Williams received a yellow card caution on the play and Dyer was forced from the match.

Tulsa appeared to use the break to regroup as a scorching run from Goodrum just moments later resulted in the forward being pulled down inside the box, adding to his USL Championship-leading fouls suffered statistic. Goodrum had been automatic from the spot all season, and Friday night was no different as he buried his attempt into the bottom right corner of the net.

The goal marked Goodrum's club-leading eighth of the season and his fourth from the penalty spot.

An onslaught of Tulsa attempts followed with an equalizer appearing to apparate from a set piece, but Rashid Tetteh was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. Immediately afterwards, a pinpoint cross from Milo Yosef connected with Siad Haji, but a perfect save was made to thwart the attempt.

As the ONEOK crowd roared to life, seven minutes of stoppage time were added due to the Dyer injury, but the momentum was snuffed out by the final whistle.

FC Tulsa dropped to 7W-10L-8D on the season while the Rowdies improved to 13W-6L-5D.

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