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FC Tulsa Gets First Home Win Behind Suarez Braces

September 2, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) - FC Tulsa News Release

TULSA - If the nickname "Super Darío" didn't convince soccer fans in Tulsa, shouldering the first home win in the FC Tulsa era just might have. Darío Suárez bagged both FC Tulsa goals in a 2-1 win over Rio Grande Valley FC at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night. A goal in each half from the Cuban striker earned Tulsa a massive three points to vault the club into a tie for second place in the USL Championship's Group D.

Suárez opened the scoring in the 25' minute off a perfectly placed pass to the penalty spot from midfielder Eric Bird. It was a well-worked goal from Tulsa as the ball was one-touched inside the box until it ended at the feet of Suárez. He made no mistake, scoring his third of the season.

It took just three minutes for RGV to equalize as Luka Prpa bent a shot around Sean Lewis to get the Toros on the board.

After halftime, FC Tulsa kept the pressure on, and it was a pair of Cubans linking up to score the match winner. Captain Ariel Martínez sent a dime to the left foot of Suárez at the top of the six-yard box. Again, Suárez was clinical as he fired Tulsa back in front where it would remain until the final whistle.

Attached are final stats and postmatch quotes from head coach Michael Nsien, forward Ariel Martínez and forward Darío Suárez.

HIGHLIGHTS (Download Here): https://drive.google.com/file/d/14KMF6ci-Nhxguogo_GroSv9-TUHkh57r/view?usp=sharing

GOALS

25' TUL - Darío Suárez (Eric Bird)

28' RGV - Luka Prpa (Kyle Edwards)

68' TUL - Darío Suárez (Ariel Martínez)

IN A TIE FOR PLAYOFF POSITION

The stakes were high, and FC Tulsa delivered as it snapped a four-match unbeaten streak to secure its first home victory of 2020. The three points brought Tulsa into a tie with Austin Bold FC for the second and final playoff spot in Group D. Both teams have earned 13 points through nine matches played. Tulsa and Austin will now square off in a double dip in the Texas capital on Saturday and next Tuesday in what will be two crucial matches in a fight for a postseason spot.

STREAKY SUÁREZ CONVERTS

Following a heartbreaking defeat last Saturday that saw Darío Suárez score an equalizer at the death which was called offside, the forward wasted no time in making a comeback. His four goals this season are the most for FC Tulsa and put Suárez in the top 20 goalscorers in the USL Championship. He has scored all four in the club's last six matches.

BIRD AND MARTÍNEZ PROVIDE THE PASSES

Eric Bird and Ariel Martínez provided Suárez an assist on the first half and second half goal, respectively. It was the first of the season for Bird while Martínez secured his second assist. The two assists for the Tulsa captain are the most this season for FC Tulsa.

UP NEXT

It's the biggest roadtrip of the season as FC Tulsa travels to Austin, Texas to play Austin Bold FC twice in a four-day span. The sides will meet on Saturday night at Bold Stadium at 8 p.m. before running it back at the same time and place on Tuesday.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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