USL FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa at Sporting Kansas City II - Wednesday, Jun 2, 7 p.m. CT

Published on June 1, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - It has been a long 14 days of waiting for FC Tulsa. After a perfect three wins from three to start the season, a franchise-best, FC Tulsa sputtered for the first time with a 5-0 loss to Atlanta United 2 on May 19.

Now, the club has had two weeks to stew on the loss before its next USL Championship match. That next match finally arrives on Wednesday night as FC Tulsa travels to Kansas City for a matchup against Sporting Kansas City II at Children's Mercy Park. The chance to jump back to the top of the Central Division as well as to make up for last time out awaits Tulsa inside the nearly 19,000 seat MLS Stadium, which will be without fans.

Attached are FC Tulsa Match Notes.

ABOUT SPORTING KANSAS CITY II

Sporting KC II sits in 7th place of eight teams in the Central, ahead of only Memphis 901 FC. Sporting KC II are one of three winless teams in the division through six weeks of USL Championship play, joining Memphis and OKC Energy FC.

Sporting KC II has struggled to get out of the gate so far in 2021, losing three and drawing three of its opening six matches. The club has scored just twice all season while allowing 10 goals to its opposition.

The MLS reserve side has mixed up its squad often this season, with 28 players making an appearance, and only one player appearing in all six of their matches. No Sporting KC II player has started all six matches in 2021. For comparison, FC Tulsa's lineup has been more consistent, with 17 players having made an appearance, 10 having started every match and 12 having played in every match this season).

SERIES HISTORY

FC Tulsa shook its bogeyman with a dominant 2-0 win over Sporting KC II in Tulsa's home opener. It was the first time in club history that Tulsa had knocked its foe from up the road. In 10 all-time meetings, FC Tulsa is now 1W-8L-1D against Sporting KC II.

OFF THE BYE

FC Tulsa is wrapping up its longest layoff between matches, a full two weeks between a road match in Atlanta on May 19 and Wednesday's contest against Sporting Kansas City II. Following the Sporting KC II match, FC Tulsa will have its quickest turnaround yet as it travels to face off against Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday afternoon, June 6.

WORLD CUP CALL UPS

Joaquin Rivas and Jorge Corrales will be competing on a global stage in June as each with 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.

MOLOTO BACK TO KC

While FC Tulsa midfielder Lebo Moloto has yet to suit up this year, he will return to Kansas City for the first time as an FC Tulsa player. Moloto was a member of Sporting KC II, then called Swope Park Rangers, in 2017 when the club made the USL Championship Final, losing to Louisville City FC.

BOUNCE BACK NEEDED

A two-week gap is a long time to stew on the worst loss in the FC Tulsa-era of the franchise, but that is exactly what previously undefeated Tulsa will need to do to bounce back from a horrid 5-0 loss to Atlanta United 2. Even with that loss, a win over Sporting KC II would put FC Tulsa atop the Central Division standings.

ROAD TRIP COMING TO A CLOSE

It has been more than a month away from home for FC Tulsa, and the club will have to wait two more weeks before seeing the friendly confines of ONEOK Field. The four-match, six-week roadie is the longest for FC Tulsa this season as it will play just one of its first five matches at home to open 2021.

WATCH PARTY

Fans are invited to a free watch party at Elgin Park for Wednesday night's match. Kickoff is set for 7:00 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

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 1, 2021


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