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FC Tulsa

Rivas' Brace Powers FC Tulsa past Indy

May 8, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


TULSA - FC Tulsa passed right on through the Crossroads.

On Saturday night in Indy, FC Tulsa and history-maker Joaquín Rivas put the USL Championship on notice with a 2-0 road victory over Indy Eleven. Rivas bagged a brace, breaking FC Tulsa's USL Championship all-time scoring record with 21 career goals.

Both of Rivas' tallies came after halftime, when FC Tulsa stole the momentum from Indy in its home opener at Carroll Stadium and never gave it back. After an opening 45 minutes where FC Tulsa chased the match, the tides turned at halftime and unlike Indy, FC Tulsa was able to capitalize on their momentum with two goals from Rivas.

The first goal came on a header after a cross sent into the box by right back Bradley Bourgeois and the second came from the spot after second half substitute Jerome Kiesewetter won a foul just inside the box in the 82' minute. Rivas, with history on the line, converted the penalty unphased to provide the clincher.

Indy provided one final twist when it won a penalty from a Mo Jadama handball in the box in the 88' minute. However, wingback Ayozé shattered his penalty kick off the crossbar to keep the FC Tulsa clean sheet and avoid any late match drama.

GOALS

62' TUL - Joaquín Rivas (Bradley Bourgeois)

82' TUL - Joaquín Rivas (penalty)

BREAKING THE RECORD

It was a historic night for forward Joaquín Rivas, who is now FC Tulsa's all-time leading goalscorer. Rivas bagged both goals for Tulsa to give the Salvadoran international 21 in his Tulsa career, the most in franchise history, passing Sammy Ochoa (20) for the record. Rivas' brace is his second of the young season and the third time in his Tulsa career.

OKLAHOMA'S BEST STREAKS

FC Tulsa's current winning and unbeaten streaks are the best in Oklahoma history. The club's 10-match unbeaten run and six-match winning streak are the best of any Oklahoma USL Championship franchise. It breaks both FC Tulsa's and OKC Energy's previous record streaks of nine and five, respectively.

LEWIS SECURES SECOND CLEAN SHEET

Coming off his first shutout in the 2-0 home-opening win last weekend, goalkeeper Sean Lewis is rounding into midseason form. He made two saves in the match to secure his second clean sheet in a row. Lewis has now recorded six clean sheets for FC Tulsa since the start of 2021 and has allowed just 17 goals in 18 total regular season matches in that span.

DEFENSE AGAIN ON THE SCORESHEET

Right back Bradley Bourgeois extended an assist streak for the Tulsa defense to start the 2021 campaign. It's the third consecutive match that FC Tulsa has gotten an assist from a defender to start 2021. Left back Jorge Corrales provided the helpers in each of FC Tulsa's first two matches, while Bourgeois did the duty tonight. Both Corrales and Bourgeois made the USL Championship's inaugural Team of the Week last week.

STAYING AT THE TOP

With nine points in three matches, FC Tulsa remains at the top of the table in the Central Division and Eastern Conference. FC Tulsa has scored seven goals through three matches while only conceding one. The seven goals scored are the most in the league this year.

STANDINGS W-D-L PTS

FC Tulsa 3-0-0 9 pts

Louisville City FC 1-1-0 4 pts

Atlanta United 2 1-0-1 3 pts

Indy Eleven 1-0-1 3 pts

Birmingham Legion 0-1-1 1 pts

Sporting KC II 0-1-1 1 pts

OKC Energy FC 0-1-2 1 pts

Memphis 901 FC 0-0-0 0 pts

UP NEXT

FC Tulsa has an 11-day break before its second of four consecutive road matches against Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday, May 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT in Kennesaw, Ga. for the match which will be broadcast on My41 and ESPN+.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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