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USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Looks to Take Next Step Toward Playoff Berth on Wednesday Night

September 29, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - It's officially the final week of the 2020 USL Championship season and FC Tulsa's playoff fate hangs in the balance. Coming off the biggest win in club history, Tulsa is in the driver's seat for the final playoff spot in Group D with two more home matches in 2020. It starts with the Black Gold Derby on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field against OKC Energy FC.

The two clubs are going in vastly different directions in 2020. FC Tulsa is on a five-match unbeaten streak with a chance to make the playoffs in a season that has included just two losses in 13 total matches. OKC Energy FC meanwhile are mired in an 11-match winless streak dating back to July 17 and have scored just one goal each in the months of August and September.

While FC Tulsa can't clinch a playoff spot on Wednesday, it can take another step closer with a victory. FC Tulsa's "magic number" is 7, meaning any combination of seven FC Tulsa points or Austin Bold FC dropped points over the final week of the season would clinch a playoff spot for Tulsa.

Kickoff at ONEOK Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

ABOUT OKC ENERGY FC

It has been a forgettable season in Oklahoma City for Energy FC. Despite a new coach in John Pascarella and high preseason expectations, OKC has been one of the worst teams in the USL Championship, managing just one victory in 14 total matches so far. A big reason for the lack of success in OKC has been the league's worst offense, managing just eight goals while being shutout eight different times this season.

BATTLE FOR THE WRENCH

While FC Tulsa has bigger fish to fry in the race for a playoff spot, OKC will surely look to get a consolation prize out of this season by claiming the Wrench in the Black Gold Derby. A win for either side on Saturday would earn the trophy. FC Tulsa hasn't won the Wrench since the 2017 season, the last time the club made the USL Championship Playoffs.

TULSA'S PLAYOFF CHANCES

FC Tulsa entered last weekend with a 37% chance to make the USL Championship Playoffs according to FiveThirtyEight. Following a dramatic last second victory over San Antonio FC paired with an Austin Bold FC draw at OKC Energy FC, that percentage jumped to 65%.

SCOREBOARD WATCHING

While FC Tulsa takes on OKC at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday night, Austin Bold FC will be playing down at Rio Grande Valley FC at 8 p.m. CT. With Tulsa and Austin tied on points for the final playoff spot, FC Tulsa fans will want to keep an eye on that scoreline after the conclusion of the Black Gold Derby.

GROUP D STANDINGS

y-San Antonio FC 10-2-3 33 pts

Austin Bold FC 4-3-7 19 pts - 2 matches remaining

FC Tulsa 4-2-7 19 pts - 3 matches remaining

e-OKC Energy FC 1-6-6 9 pts

e-Rio Grande Valley FC 0-9-3 3 pts

y-clinched No. 1 seed, e-eliminated

HOW TO TUNE IN

The match will be broadcast on TV locally on My41 Tulsa and nationally streamed on ESPN+. You can follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for updates and highlights throughout the match.

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