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USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Fall 3-1 Before 11,442 in Sacramento

August 30, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Sacramento Republic FC
(FC Tulsa, Credit: Kelsey Price)

Tulsa Roughnecks FC dropped its second straight road match Saturday night with a 3-1 loss to Sacramento Republic FC before a sellout crowd of over 11,000 at Sacramento's Bonney Field. The defeat dropped Tulsa's season record to 10-11-6 and temporarily out of a USL playoff position in the Western Conference table.

The match appeared to be a tough task for the Roughnecks against the 2014 USL champions, but it became even tougher Saturday afternoon when Republic FC announced that three Major League Soccer players would be joining the side on loan from San Jose Earthquakes.

Roughnecks FC defender Steven Miller battles Tommy Thompson during Saturday's match in Sacramento. (Kelsey Price)

In addition, the Roughnecks were without defender Iarfhlaith Davoren who was in Tulsa after suffering a leg injury during training this week.

Sacramento, who had won only one time since June 25, the match represented a near must-win situation to keep its playoff hopes alive, and the new additions provided the anticipated spark. Two of the three, Tommy Thompson and J.J. Koval, were in Republic FC's starting 11.

With the new arrivals, Republic FC started the match on the attack and controlled most of the early action. The Roughnecks first chance came in the 13th minute when Lucas Cordeiro's curving shot went just high and wide of goalkeeper Patrick McLain's net.

At the other end, Tulsa survived a dangerous flurry in the 23rd minute as Republic FC failed to find the target on three quick shots.

The Roughnecks got a break in the 32nd minute when Brady Ballew was fouled off the ball and in the box by James Kiffe. After referee Michael Zapata conferred with his assistant, Tulsa was awarded a penalty kick. Sammy Ochoa made it a perfect 3-3 from the spot this season when he struck his blast into the far right side of the net to give the Roughnecks the 1-0 lead.

As has happened several times this year, Tulsa surrendered shortly after scoring. Seven minutes after the goal, Danny Barrera fired through a crowd from the top of the penalty area. Goalkeeper Jake Feener was shielded and the shot rolled into the net to even the score at 1-1.

One of the loans from Major League Soccer put Republic FC in front in first-half injury time. After taking a pass from Emrah Klimenta, Thompson, fired a right-footed blast that beat Feener to make it 2-1 just before the interval.

After the break, the Roughnecks opened sharply, controlling a lot of the play in the first ten minutes, but they could not produce an equalizer.

Head coach David Irving turned to his bench, bringing on attacker Adam Black for defender Ben Brewster and Kyrian Kidd for Lucas Cordeiro in search of the equalizer.

Republic FC burned the Roughnecks on the counter attack in the 84th minute to put the match away. Forward Mark Sherrod, the other of the three loans from San Jose, fired a right-footed blast that beat Feener to his near post to make it 3-1 and solidify the three points for Sacramento.

The loss leaves Tulsa on 36 points, two points behind Sacramento and three points behind three sides who are tied for third place in the West table.

The Roughnecks will return to Tulsa for their final match of the regular season. They will host the Oklahoma City Energy at ONEOK Field on Sunday, September 6 in the next installment of the Black Gold Derby. It is Labor Day Weekend, and a large Fireworks Spectacular will light up downtown Tulsa following the match.

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Images from this story

Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Sacramento Republic FC
(Kelsey Price)		   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 30, 2015


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