USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Finishes All Square with Austin Bold FC in 1-1 Thriller

September 6, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - FC Tulsa was inches away from all three points on Saturday night against Austin Bold FC.

Seconds before the final whistle, a saved Darío Suárez header rebounded to the foot of Tulsa midfielder Fabián Bastidas, whose shot missed just wide of the left post. The miss left both sides with a point on the night in a 1-1 thriller at Bold Stadium.

Much like in the first meeting between the teams, it was FC Tulsa who struck first, while Austin fought back. An absolute banger from Darío Suárez combined with some goal-saving theatrics from FC Tulsa keeper Sean Lewis had Tulsa in front heading into halftime. First it was Suárez, who scored his third goal of the week, putting Tulsa in front. The Cuban forward took a pass from his countryman Ariel Martínez and took aim for the top left corner. Despite Bold FC keeper Diego Restrepo getting hands on the shot, it was too powerful and finished in the back of the net.

Then it was Lewis' turn to play the hero. He saved multiple Austin chances including a point blank look from leading Bold FC scorer Billy Forbes in the 40' minute. Midway through the second half, however, Lewis was finally beaten. A cross into the box found the foot of Roberto Avila who slid a low shot past Lewis into the net, tying the score at 1-1.

From there, it was all FC Tulsa as the visitors accumulated four shots in stoppage time, nearly equalizing at the death.

GOALS

30' TUL - Darío Suárez (Ariel Martínez)

74' ATX - Roberto Avila

STILL TIED FOR SECOND

Two teams entered the match tied for second place in Group D, and both left the match still tied in second. Nothing separates Tulsa and Austin with six matches left to play for each in the 2020 season. The next match might just be the biggest as the clubs will face off again on Tuesday night at Bold Stadium.

SUÁREZ SCORES AGAIN

Darío Suárez is on one. The forward scored his third goal in the last two matches, his fifth in the last seven and the third straight for FC Tulsa. Tonight's goal just might have been his best. Suárez shot from 25 yards out and finished in the upper left corner in what could be a Sportscenter Top 10 Play. The Cuban forward was billed as a goalscorer and he has delivered for Tulsa, leading the club with his five tallies. Including his one assist this season, Suárez has either scored or assisted in half of FC Tulsa's goal this season.

THE CUBANS COMBINE

While Suárez got the goal, it was his fellow Cuban who set him up. Tulsa's captain Ariel Martínez made a run to get free up the field. He then swung back around and found Suárez for his third assist of the season and his second to Suárez. In 2020, Martínez has two goals and three assists, the latter of which leads FC Tulsa.

REMATCH ON TUESDAY

Tuesday's rematch with Austin Bold FC just got that much bigger. With the teams still tied on points, Tulsa at Austin "take two" could play a big role in deciding the second place team in Group D.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 6, 2020


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