USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Back in Action Saturday in Sacramento

Published on August 27, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Tulsa Roughnecks FC will continue its quest for a berth in the USL playoffs Saturday night in Sacramento. In its next-to-last match of the season, the Roughnecks will take on 2014 USL Champions Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 10:00pm CDT.

The game will be the proverbial six-pointer as both sides strive to lock up one of six playoff spots that are available in the USL's Western Conference. The Roughnecks will enter the match in a fifth-place tie with Orange County in the Western Conference table. Sacramento occupies seventh spot, only one point behind the Roughnecks and Blues.

Tulsa has 36 points in 26 matches with a 10-10-6 record, while Sacramento have reached 35 points with a 10-8-5 mark.

It will be the second meeting this season between the two sides with Sacramento claiming a 3-1 victory at ONEOK Field on June 25 thanks to a brace from Rodrigo Lopez.

The match will be broadcast live on Tulsa's Sports Radio AM 1300 with Jeremie Poplin calling the action. The broadcast can be heard online at 1300TheBuzz.com. It will also be shown live on the Sacramento Republic FC YouTube channel.

WATCH PARTY

The official watch party for the match will be at Empire Bar, located at 1516 S. Peoria. The watch party will be open to guests, ages 21 and over.

TULSA AND SACRAMENTO IN THEIR LAST 5

Tulsa Roughnecks FC Last 5 Games: L - D - W - D - W (8 points)

Sacramento Republic FC Last 5 Games: D - D - L - W - L (5 points)

SINCE LAST TIME - The two teams have gone in different directions since their last meeting on June 25. The win at ONEOK Field moved Sacramento into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference, but since that game Republic FC has won only one regular season game while drawing four times and losing twice.

Conversely, the Roughnecks have seen their fortunes improve, going 6-3-3 since the home defeat.

Sacramento have played three high-profile friendly matches since that time, including an impressive 1-0 victory over English Premier League side Sunderland. In the same week, Republic FC lost a narrow 1-0 decision to another EPL squad, Newcastle United.

GRIMES ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY - The Roughnecks will be without central defender Mason Grimes for the match. Grimes has joined the Guam National Team for a pair of World Cup qualifying matches. Guam will play Iran in Tehran on September 3 before hosting Oman on September 6. The Guam side is 2-0 in 2nd round qualifying matches, and Grimes has started both games.

ROAD COMPLETED - The Roughnecks will be playing their final away match of the regular season. So far in its inaugural season, Tulsa is 5-4-4 in road matches and is tied for the second-most away wins in USL this season.

DEPENDABLE MILLER - Steven Miller is the only Roughnecks player to appear in all 26 regular season matches this year. Miller has been a valuable asset for Coach David Irving, playing at several positions on the field, including defender over the last few matches.

PRICE LOGGING MINUTES - Defender Ryan Price has played in 24 of the 26 matches, but he leads the team with 2019 total minutes.

TOTAL GOALS - The Roughnecks have scored 46 goals this season and are currently tied with Colorado Springs for the third-most goals in USL. Louisville City leads all teams with 48 goals, and Pittsburgh is second with 47.

Twenty-eight of Tulsa's 48 goals have been scored in the second half of matches.

IT'S ENTERTAINING - Tulsa's 26 matches this season have featured a total of 88 goals, the most of any USL squad.

BONNEY FIELD - Saturday's game will likely feature the largest crowd to watch the Roughnecks this season as Sacramento Republic FC has averaged 11,303 fans for home matches at Bonney Field. The previous largest crowd for the Roughnecks came during their first-ever match when 8,335 fans filled ONEOK Field on March 28 for the opening game against Oklahoma City.

DID YOU KNOW? - Newly appointed Sacramento Republic FC head coach Paul Buckle is married to Rebecca Lowe who serves as the studio host for NBC Sports English Premier League broadcasts.

WHAT'S AHEAD - After the match in Sacramento, the Roughnecks will return to Tulsa and will play Oklahoma City in their final match of the regular season on Sunday, September 6 at ONEOK Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM on the Labor Day Weekend with a Fireworks Spectacular planned for after the match. It will be Youth Soccer Night with young players in their team jerseys able to get reserved seats for half price.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 27, 2015


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