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USL FC Tulsa

Preview: FC Tulsa vs Phoenix Rising FC - Saturday, September 9 - ONEOK Field, 7:30 p.m. CT

September 8, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - Only two home matches remain for FC Tulsa in the 2023 regular season, including Saturday's contest vs. Phoenix Rising FC. Currently in possession of a playoff spot, postseason aspirations abound for FC Tulsa should it continue to build on the positive momentum the club created last weekend.

FC Tulsa earned its biggest result of the season last Sunday, a commanding 2-1 victory over defending champions San Antonio FC who, at the time, led the USL Championship in points and goals on the season. After the match, Blair Gavin told local media that the result should give his side the confidence to know it can beat any opponent the league has to offer.

"I think it should give us confidence that whoever we play, we can give them a challenge for a result," said Gavin. "That's something I'm hoping the guys take away - that when we play a team like the defending champions, we can keep them busy and we can take them to the end of the game. When we execute, we can beat them."

Three players received Team of the Week awards for their efforts in the match - Eric Bird, Marcus Epps, and Keegan Hughes. The trio will certainly look to replicate their performances to earn a result over Phoenix Rising who have won three straight.

Two current FC Tulsa players were formerly members of the Phoenix family. Collin Fernandez appeared 30 times for the side from 2018-2019, and Marcus Epps was acquired from Rising in August 2022 after 21 matches played.

In addition, Blair Gavin hit the pitch 46 times for Phoenix as a player from 2016-2017 before joining the technical staff as an assistant coach from 2018-2020.

FC Tulsa finds itself amid a tight race for control of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, although time still remains to potentially climb higher. Leading into the weekend, Detroit City FC and Miami FC are right on Tulsa's heels in the standings.

When averaging the total number of points earned by the remaining opponents of FC Tulsa, Detroit City FC, and Miami FC, Miami appears to have the most difficult remaining schedule (39.8 avg. opposition point total), followed by FC Tulsa (39.6), then Detroit City (34). Both Detroit City and Miami have a match in hand over Tulsa.

Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

SCOUTING PHOENIX RISING FC

Phoenix Rising FC is riding a three-match win streak heading into ONEOK Field on Saturday after wins over Las Vegas Lights FC, Western Conference leaders Sacramento Republic FC, and Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Phoenix's dynamic duo of Danny Trejo and Manuel Arteaga up top has been instrumental in its success, combining for 29 goals and 10 assists.

Trejo enters the match as the reigning USL Championship Player of the Week after two goals and one assist in two matches last week. The Venezuelan needed only 64 seconds to get through the Rio Grande Valley defensive line last Saturday to account for the fastest Rising goal in the USL Championship this season. In total, Phoenix is tied for the second-most goals scored in the league with 45.

STAT OF THE MATCH

Saturday's match marks the 11th career meeting between the two sides with Tulsa posting a 4W-5L-1D record vs. Rising. The last time Tulsa clashed with Phoenix was back in 2019, and no Tulsa player from the last meeting is currently a member of the squad.

Former Phoenix man Didier Drogba and Tulsa forward Cristian Mata are tied for the most head-to-head matchup goals with four apiece.

VAMOS TULSA NIGHT

FC Tulsa is hosting its annual Vamos Tulsa Night at the match, complete with local Latino and Hispanic vendors as well as several food trucks, including Rancheros Taco Truck, La Isla, Pepe's Food, Catrina Fresh Mex, and Primos Chicken. Ballet Folklorico will be performing at halftime as well.

HOW TO WATCH

The match will be aired locally on My41 Tulsa and streamed nationally on ESPN+.

STAY UPDATED

For highlights, polls, updates and more throughout matchday, be sure to follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

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