USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Open with Draw Before Sellout Crowd

March 28, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Professional, outdoor soccer made a resounding return to the city of Tulsa Saturday night. A sellout crowd of 8,335 filled downtown Tulsa and ONEOK Field as Tulsa Roughnecks FC played their first-ever regular season game in USL, taking on the Oklahoma City Energy. The Roughnecks got a second-half goal from Brady Ballew and battled to a 1-1 draw with the Energy.

The large crowd arrived early to downtown Tulsa, filling the Guthrie Green two hours before kickoff. The atmosphere seemed to produce nerves for both squads, resulting in a sluggish start to the game. Neither team was able to generate a dangerous chance on goal.

The Roughnecks started to settle in after the first 15 minutes, which led to a period of extended pressure. Thirty minutes into the match, Tulsa had seven corners to only two for the Energy.

The Roughnecks came close to taking the lead in the 40th minute, producing a series of three shots in quick succession. The first was saved by OKC keeper Evan Newton, the second caromed off the post and the third was cleared off the line by an Energy defender.

The Energy took the lead against the run of play in added time of the first half. Defender Michael Thomas powered a header into the back of the net off a corner kick, giving Oklahoma City a 1-0 lead as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

With the lead, Oklahoma City started the quickest in the second half, but was unable to produce a second goal.

Ballew made history in the 71st minute. From the right side of the box, Ballew dribbled right and struck a curving shot that just cleared the head of Tulsa defender Ben Brewster before settling into the lower, right corner of the net for the first goal in the history of the franchise.

More importantly, the goal evened the score line at 1-1.

Neither Newton nor Roughnecks keeper Zac Lubin was really challenged in the final minutes as the teams settled for one point each.

Tulsa out-shot the Energy 16-9, registering 8 shots in each half. The Roughnecks defense limited Oklahoma City to only two shots on goal.

The Roughnecks will be back in action Thursday night when they host Saint Louis FC at ONEOK Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00PM. The two teams split a pair of friendlies prior to the start of the regular season.

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