USL FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa at Birmingham Legion FC, Sunday, August 22, 4 p.m. CT

Published on August 20, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - On Sunday afternoon, Birmingham Legion FC will be praying for a different result than its last bout with FC Tulsa.

In the last matchup between the two clubs, the Tulsa attack was able to pick apart the club from the Cotton State as the final minutes of the match approached. An early goal from Matt Sheldon put Tulsa in front, and late scores from Marlon in the 88' minute and Kembo Kibato in the 90'+2 sealed the 3-1 victory for FC Tulsa.

Now, past the halfway point of the season, FC Tulsa will need to strike while the iron is hot.

Legion FC comes into the match amid a six-match stretch that has seen the club go 3-1-2, its only loss coming at the hands of FC Tulsa on August 7. This will be the third time Birmingham and Tulsa have gone head-to-head this season with both teams having come away with a win apiece over the first two meetings.

Coming off a loss in Louisville last weekend to the USL Championship point leaders, FC Tulsa will direct its focus to keeping pace with the other clubs in the division for Playoffs position, and beating Birmingham would help it do just that. Atlanta United 2 and Indy Eleven leapfrogged FC Tulsa in the standings this week, but a win at Birmingham would put Tulsa back into an advantageous position in the Central Division.

Kickoff from BBVA Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m. CT.

Attached are FC Tulsa Match Notes and Prematch Quotes from head coach Michael Nsien, defender Johnny Fenwick and defender Victor Milke.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC

Birmingham has built itself a fortress that seems impenetrable to visitors more often than not. At BBVA Field, opponents have only scored eight times in eight matches. Legion FC is 5-2-1 at home this season with a goal differential of +5 while also earning two clean sheets.

In total, Birmingham has only allowed 19 goals in 18 matches all season. Its defense, in tandem with leading goal-scorer Neco Brett, makes Legion FC a difficult team to match up against.

Neco Brett's 11 goals lead the club and tie him for second in USL Championship in goals scored. Full-back Jonathan Dean leads the way with four assists, and keeper Matt Van Oekel has allowed only 16 goals in 16 matches, earning five clean sheets and making 50 saves.

BIRMINGHAM STRIKING IRON

Birmingham Legion FC is on a hot streak, a run fueling its pace to keep up with LouCity in the Central Division. Over its last six matches, Birmingham has won three matches, drawn twice, and lost just once. Its only loss during that campaign came at ONEOK Field at the hands of FC Tulsa on August 7. It has outscored its opponents 13-10 and has won all three home matches during that six-match stretch.

THE LEGION'S FORTRESS

Birmingham Legion FC has found success both on the road and at home in 2021, but its numbers at BBVA Field are impressive. Visiting clubs have found the Legion FC defense difficult to penetrate when on its home soil, scoring only eight times in eight matches. Overall, Birmingham is 5-2-1 at home this season with a goal differential of +5 while shutting out its enemy twice.

LATE DRAMA

In the last matchup between FC Tulsa and Birmingham Legion FC, the match was decided in the final two minutes of regulation. Matt Sheldon led the scoring with his first professional goal in 76 USL Championship appearances. Following a PK conversion from Birmingham, Marlon and Kembo Kibato scored in the 88' and 90'+2 minutes respectively to lift Tulsa over Legion FC 3-1. Late goals have been a theme for both clubs this season. Tulsa has conceded 13 times after the 60' minute this season and has scored nine times itself. Meanwhile, 58% of Legion FC's goals this season have come later than the 60' minute.

BOURGEOIS' FIRST TULSA SCORE

Despite not being thrilled with FC Tulsa's latest result last weekend in Louisville, FC Tulsa captain Bradley Bourgeois did have something to celebrate. In the 90'+2 minute, Bourgeois headed in a rocket off the foot of Lebo Moloto to score his first career goal as a member of FC Tulsa. The goal unfortunately came a bit too late for the club to salvage a possible point, but the center-back was able to come away with his fifth career goal.

MILKE JOINS FC TULSA

On Wednesday, FC Tulsa announced its newest signing, center-back Víctor Milke. The Mexican defender has six years of Liga MX experience south of the border and most recently played for Club Atlético Morelia in Liga de Expansión MX. Milke brings great experience at a high level of play to FC Tulsa as the club looks to bolster its defense for the second half of the season.

THREE NEW FACES

The addition of Víctor Milke on Wednesday marked the third new player signed by FC Tulsa since August 2. Jason Johnson was the first to sign with the club and has appeared in every match for FC Tulsa since, making three appearances (two starts) and registering one assist. Defender Johnny Fenwick appeared as substitute last weekend in his first match with the club.

HOW TO TUNE IN

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Stream: ESPN+ (US), YouTube (International)

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 20, 2021


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