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USL FC Tulsa

FC Tulsa Tops Rio Grande Valley FC 2-1

June 25, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


EDINBURG, Texas - FC Tulsa loves 2-1 wins in South Texas.

Despite allowing a stoppage time tally and playing the final minutes down a man, FC Tulsa recorded its second consecutive 2-1 victory down in the South Texas over Rio Grande Valley FC on Friday night.

Tulsa-native Austin Wormell made history in net for FC Tulsa, becoming the first Tulsa-native to start a match for the club in the new era of the franchise (2020-2021). Behind Wormell, a steady performance from his backline, and a pair of goals from red-hot Rodrigo da Costa, FC Tulsa secured its first road victory since May 8.

Da Costa scored in his third consecutive match, and fourth of the last five in the 22' minute, sent in on a through-ball from Darío Suárez. Then in the 60' minute, da Costa doubled the lead when midfielder Kembo Kibato found the Brazilian in space inside the box.

FC Tulsa had to show its mettle the final 10 minutes of the match as Kibato was sent off with a second yellow card in the 79' minute. Down a man, FC Tulsa battened down the hatches and held on for three points.

Finals Stats and Postmatch Quotes from head coach Michael Nsien, midfielder Rodrigo da Costa and goalkeeper Austin Wormell.

GOALS

22' TUL - Rodrigo da Costa (Darío Suárez)

60' TUL - Rodrigo da Costa (Kembo Kibato)

90'+2 RGV - Baboucarr Njie (Vicente Sánchez)

WORMELL MAKES HISTORY

With his start on Friday, Austin Wormell became the first Tulsa native to start a match for the club in the FC Tulsa-era of the franchise. Wormell was one of the best high school prospects to ever come out of Tulsa after leading Bishop Kelley High School to a 2017 5A State Championship, scoring the match-winning goal while keeping a clean sheet in the title game. Following his high school career, Wormell went to Creighton University, but eventually transferred to Rogers State University in Claremore. He left RSU in the midst of his senior season to sign a professional contract with FC Tulsa in February.

HOTTER THAN....

Copacabana Beach? Carnaval? All we know is that Brazilian forward Rodrigo da Costa is on fire. He now has five goals and three assists this season, with four of those goals and two apples coming in his last five matches. Da Costa is now up to 17 goals and 18 assists in 58 career appearances for FC Tulsa.

HELPER DARÍO

While forward Darío Suárez normally plays the role of Super Darío as a goalscorer for FC Tulsa, he has been the sidekick with an assist in each of the last two matches. Suárez has four goals to go along with the two assists this year.

KIBATO HAS MEMORABLE NIGHT

FC Tulsa midfielder Kembo Kibato, a Rio Grande Valley FC loanee, had a roller coaster night against his former team. He got on the scoresheet for the first time in his FC Tulsa career when he assisted on da Costa's second half tally. Just 19 minutes later, Kibato was sent off, receiving a second yellow card for a foul. Kibato will be suspended for FC Tulsa's next match.

DEFENSE STEPS UP

It had been five matches since FC Tulsa had not allowed an opponent to score multiple goals, and while RGV's late goal prevented the clean sheet, the defense stayed strong, allowing the lone tally. FC Tulsa blocked eight Toros shots, Wormell made three saves and the backline allowed just four of Rio Grande Valley's 27 shots to find the target.

UP NEXT

FC Tulsa will keep playing Friday night football when it travels to OKC Energy FC next Friday night, July 2. It will be the second edition of the 2021 Black Gold Derby, and the final one in Oklahoma City. FC Tulsa won the first derby matchup 3-1 in the season opener on April 24. Kickoff next week will be at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 25, 2021


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