USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Host First-Place Switchbacks Saturday

July 10, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Tulsa Roughnecks FC Celebrate with Supporters
Tulsa Roughnecks FC Celebrate with Supporters
(FC Tulsa)

Only 48 hours after one of its biggest wins of the season, Roughnecks FC are back in action Saturday night as they host Western Conference first-place side Colorado Springs at ONEOK Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm in downtown Tulsa.

It is Tulsa's second match of the week. On Thursday, the Roughnecks posted a 4-1 victory over Orange County as goalkeeper Jake Feener made a successful professional debut for Tulsa.

Saturday's match with the Switchbacks will mark the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

The Roughnecks enter the match with a total of 18 points (5-8-3) this season and in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. The Switchbacks come in with 30 points (10-5-0), sitting atop the standings in the West.

The match is presented by Tulsa's Channel 8, Pepsi and Cox Radio. The first 1,500 fans to enter through the Oil Derrick and Arvest Entrances will receive a large 3' x 5' Roughnecks FC flag.

The game will be broadcast live on Tulsa's Sports Radio AM 1300 with Jeremie Poplin and David Saunders calling the action. The broadcast can be heard online at 1300TheBuzz.com. It will also be shown live on the Roughnecks YouTube channel.

SWITCHBACKS - Colorado Springs will enter Saturday's match as one of the hottest teams in USL, carrying a six-game winning streak. The Switchbacks last three victories, over Saint Louis FC, Orange County and Austin, have come via shutouts. They were undefeated during the month of June, going a perfect 6-0.

The Switchbacks will test Tulsa's backline as they are USL's highest scoring team with 33 goals in their 15 matches (2.20 goals per game). Much of their firepower has come courtesy of Miguel Gonzalez and Luke Vercollone who have netted 8 and 7 goals respectively.

They have been impressive defensively as well, yielding only 16 goals on the season. The Switchbacks +17 goal differential is tops in the USL. Goalkeeper Devala Gorrick is second in the league with a 0.90 GAA.

THE ROUGHNECKS - Tulsa picked up a much-needed victory over Orange County Thursday night with its 4-1 win. The four goals were the second-most the Roughnecks have scored in a match this season, matching their total in their first win over Sounders 2 and one short of their five they netted in their second win over S2.

FEENER WINS IN DEBUT - Goalkeeper Jake Feener made his professional debut in the win over Orange County. The Seattle University product produced 13 saves in the game, a season high for a Tulsa keeper this season.

SEATTLE TOO - Another Seattle University product, Brady Ballew, continued his strong play in the win over the Blues. Ballew picked up his third assist of the season and contributed on both ends of the field for the Roughnecks.

ROUSTABOUTS GOING TO OKC - The Roustabouts have chartered a bus and are going to the match in Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18 for the next edition of the Black Gold Derby. The cost of the bus trip is $30 per person. They will be selling tickets at the match on Saturday. They are also available online HERE.

THE COACHES - Tulsa head coach David Irving was a player for the original Roughnecks in the old North America Soccer League. Irving scored three goals in seven appearances for Tulsa during the 1980 NASL season. His professional playing career also included stints with Everton FC and Sheffield United in England.

The Switchbacks are led by former United States National Team member Steve Trittschuh. The ex-defender made 37 appearances for USA, including the 1990 World Cup. His professional playing career included stints in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids and the Tampa Bay Muting. The Switchbacks'position marks Trittschuh's first professional head coaching job.

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Tulsa Roughnecks FC Celebrate with Supporters
Tulsa Roughnecks FC Celebrate with Supporters
   



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