USL FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa vs Hartford Athletic - Saturday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. - ONEOK Field

Published on May 20, 2022 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - A bitter taste still lingers in the mouth of FC Tulsa following a rough first half last weekend, in which it conceded five goals in a half for the first time since 2016. However, FC Tulsa's track record in 2022 in front of the home crowd this season suggests an opposite result could be right around the corner as the club hosts Hartford Athletic for the first time in franchise history.

Tulsa is 4W-2L-0D at ONEOK Field to start the 2022 season with 13 goals scored, the most goals scored at home in the Eastern Conference, and have conceded just 10 times. Already four times this year at the friendly confines at the corner of Elgin and Archer, Tulsa has scored three goals in a match in front of the rowdy home fans.

Although FC Tulsa's defense has struggled, Hartford's offense has yet to find its groove either. The side from Connecticut has managed just eight goals through its first nine matches and the FC Tulsa backline will aim to make it eight goals through 10 matches and pick up another clean sheet for Sean Lewis.

Fans will want to arrive at ONEOK Field early as the FC Tulsa Summer Concert Series kicks off on Saturday night with King Cabbage Brass Band. The concert begins at 6 p.m., and FC Tulsa kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

SCOUTING HARTFORD ATHLETIC

After finishing in 5th place in the Atlantic Division and missing the playoffs last season, Hartford Athletic got off to a laboring start in 2022. Through its first seven matches, Hartford mustered only one point thanks to its stunning draw with Tampa Bay in Week 2. However, Hartford appears to have found its form against two of the bottom four clubs in the East in its last two outings, beating Loudoun United and New York Red Bulls II on the bounce.

Joel Johnson, who was brought over from Charlotte Independence in the offseason following a three-goal and three-assist campaign, leads Hartford with three goals in nine starts. Hartford's offensive catalyst, Danny Barrera, led the USL Championship with 12 assists last season but has yet to find the scoresheet in 2022. Meanwhile, center-back Mo Jadama, who spent 2017 and 2021 with Tulsa, leads Hartford with eight total shots.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

1) PGA Championship Ticket Offer

For all fans heading to Southern Hills this week, you can show any PGA Championship practice round or Championship round ticket when you purchase an FC Tulsa ticket at ONEOK box office on matchday and receive a free FC Tulsa ticket upgrade and free gift, courtesy of the club. The Box Office opens at 5:30 p.m. and gifts can be picked up on the concourse.

2) Mo's Return to ONEOK

Saturday will serve as a reunion for Mo Jadama to take on his former teammates from just a season ago. Jadama spent 2021 with FC Tulsa as well as the 2017 season with the Roughnecks, making 56 total appearances for Tulsa. He is tied for the ninth-most appearances in Tulsa history and has the eighth-most minutes logged in franchise history with 4,723 minutes played. Jadama has appeared in opposition to Tulsa six times in his career, all in the form of Portland Timbers 2 vs Tulsa Roughnecks, and his side has gone 2W-0L-4D in those matches.

3) Spreading the Wealth

FC Tulsa continues to be a premier club when it comes to build up play leading to goals. With the fifth-highest assist tally as a club, 13 of FC Tulsa's 17 goals this season have been assisted, accounting for 76% of its goals. Tulsa is one of only two clubs to have 11 players log an assist in 2022, the other being Louisville City FC.

HOW TO WATCH

Between the prematch King Cabbage concert, postmatch Fireworks Show and the pro soccer match, Saturday night should be special. Tickets are still available, starting at just $12 if purchased in advance.

If fans can't make it to the match on Saturday night, all of the action will be broadcasted locally on My41 and streamed nationally on ESPN+. You can also follow @FCTusla on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for live updates throughout the match.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 20, 2022


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