USL FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa at Louisville City FC, Saturday, August 14

August 13, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - You have to beat the best to be the best.

After defeating second-place Birmingham Legion FC last weekend, FC Tulsa will carry its new-found momentum into Louisville as it takes on the Central Division leaders, Louisville City FC.

Louisville is a club that has not lost since July 10th, coming away with five wins and a draw in the six-match span following its last defeat. Who was the last club able to slay the Louisville Leviathan? FC Tulsa. Three first-half goals from Marlon Santos, Kembo Kibato and Rodrigo da Costa led Tulsa to victory in the last matchup between the two clubs.

Two of the previous goal scorers, Marlon and Kibato, are each coming off goals in the 88' minute and 90+' minute, respectively, in the club's dramatic win against Birmingham last match. Newly signed defenseman Johnny Fenwick could make his FC Tulsa debut in Louisville, signaling plenty of storylines for fans to keep an eye out for in the upcoming match.

Having finally broken its four-match losing streak, FC Tulsa will charge into Louisville with a clear head and have its sights set on bringing down the best the Central Division has to offer.

Kickoff from Lynn Family Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE CITY FC

LouCity will come into this bout with FC Tulsa on a six-match unbeaten streak in which it has outscored its opponents 15-5. The attack for Louisville is elite, ranking second in USL Championship in goals (37) and shots (253).

Lynn Family Stadium, the second-year home of Louisville City FC, has been a haven for the division leaders this season. The club is 8-1-2 at home and has scored 25 goals while conceding only 10 times. All four of LouCity's clean sheets have been secured at home.

Cameron Lancaster leads LouCity with nine goals, tied for third in the league. Brian Ownby is atop the club list in assists with seven, tied for first in the league. Keeper Chris Hubbard has 22 saves in 13 appearances.

SURGING LOUCITY

There may not be a hotter team in the USL Championship than Louisville City FC. In its last six matches, Louisville City has won five matches and drawn once, earning sixteen points in those six matches. During its six-match unbeaten streak, Louisville has outscored its opponents 14-5. However, the last club to beat Louisville City FC was none other than FC Tulsa. As a club, Louisville is second in the league in goals (37) and shots (253), trailing just Phoenix Rising FC in both statistics.

LOUISVILLE AT HOME

The confines of Lynn Family Stadium have been incredibly fortunate to Louisville City FC this season and have proven to stifle the opposition regularly. LouCity has played 11 of its 17 matches at home this season. The club has recorded 25 goals in its own nets in 2021 while limiting the visitors to only 10 goals all season, resulting in a 8-1-2 record for the home club. All four of Louisville City FC's clean sheets have come at home.

BEST OF THREE FC Tulsa and Louisville City FC have faced off twice this season already, both scores ending in 3-2 with Louisville claiming victory first and Tulsa evening the season series in the second meeting. In the most recent matchup, FC Tulsa scored all three of its goals in the first half which proved to be a deficit too great to overcome for Louisville City. Kembo Kibato netted his first goal of the season in that match along with goals from Marlon and Rodrigo da Costa.

SHOWSTOPPING SHELDON Defensive back Matt Sheldon came up with a goal in the first half of last weekend's match with Birmingham Legion FC, a goal set up by Jason Johnson winning the ball back from the Legion backline and passing it off to Sheldon in the box rather than taking the shot himself. This goal was the first in Sheldon's career, spanning 76 matches equaling 6,572 minutes.

INTRODUCING JOHNNY FENWICK

On Wednesday, FC Tulsa announced the newest member of its squad, center-back Johnny Fenwick. Fenwick had an outstanding college career at High Point University before signing with San Antonio FC in 2019. He then moved to Las Vegas Lights FC in 2020 where he found success as a member of the backline. In total, Fenwick has 18 appearances (17 starts) and one assist in his USL career.

HOW TO TUNE IN

TV: MY41

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

Follow: You can follow @FCTulsa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 13, 2021


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