NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa at Birmingham Legion FC, Sunday, June 6, 4 p.m. CT

June 4, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - However you want to slice it, the simple explanation to FC Tulsa's last two matches is that the team hasn't been good enough. After allowing eight goals in its previous 10 regular season USL Championship matches, FC Tulsa has allowed nine in its last two matches. Losses to Atlanta United 2 and Sporting Kansas City II have put a sparkling 3-0 start in the distant rearview mirror as FC Tulsa will have to solve its defensive woes on the fly.

A Sunday matinee at Birmingham Legion FC will make for a tough atmosphere to right the ship in the first ever meeting between the clubs that don Black and Gold.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC

Sitting one point ahead of FC Tulsa in the Central Division standings, Birmingham Legion FC came into the 2021 season as one of the favorites to advance to the postseason from the division. Through six matches, Legion FC are holding up their end of the bargain in a tie for first in the Central. With a record of 3-2-1, Birmingham began the season with inconsistent results, including losses to Indy Eleven and San Antonio FC. In the last two weeks, however, Birmingham is rolling as they enter Sunday's match off of back-to-back 1-0 wins against OKC Energy FC and Atlanta United 2.

Four out of the six games Birmingham has played have been decided by just one goal. Neco Brett and Bruno Lapa are the club's leading scorers, with three and two goals respectively. Goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, one of the league's best has three clean sheets to his name and is a nominee for Player of the Month from April/May.

IT'S ALL BLACK AND GOLD

The first matchup of Black and Gold teams in USL Championship history will go down on Sunday at BBVA Compass Field when FC Tulsa meets Birmingham Legion FC. The new Central Division rivals boast similar color schemes, but have never met until this season.

SUNDAY SCARCITY

The last time FC Tulsa started a match on a Sunday was September 9, 2018 when the club was known as the Tulsa Roughnecks. Fans of the new era of the franchise will likely remember the Saturday night August 1 match at Rio Grande Valley FC last season that featured numerous rain delays and stretched into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

WEEKEND WARRIORS

FC Tulsa is 3-0 on the weekends so far in 2021 with an 0-2 record in midweek matches. In its weekend matches, FC Tulsa has scored seven goals to just one allowed while scoring one and allowing nine during two Wednesday night matches.

WORLD CUP CALL UPS

Joaquin Rivas and Jorge Corrales will be competing on a global stage in June as each will suit up for their respective countries, El Salvador and Cuba, in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. CONCACAF is currently in the First Round which consists of group play. To advance both El Salvador and Cuba would have to finish first in their groups. Birmingham Legion will also be missing a player as Jaden Servania is with Puerto Rico.

FINAL MATCH OF THE ROADTRIP

It has been a roller coaster of a four-match road trip for FC Tulsa that started on a high note with a 2-0 win at Indy Eleven has hit a canyon with back-to-back blowout losses to Atlanta United 2 and Sporting KC II. FC Tulsa will try to salvage a split before heading home for two matches on June 16 and June 19.

WATCH PARTY

Fans are invited to a free watch party at The Tulsan Bar for the Sunday match. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CT.

HOW TO TUNE IN

The match will be broadcast on TV locally on My41 Tulsa and nationally on ESPN+. Fans can also tune into the match around the country on SiriusXM FC through the USL Championship's national radio broadcast partnership. Finally, follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for updates and highlights throughout the match.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 4, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central