USL FC Tulsa

Whitecaps FC 2 Gets Revenge on Roughnecks

Published on August 1, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Original NASL Tulsa Roughnecks
Original NASL Tulsa Roughnecks
(FC Tulsa, Credit: Rich Crimi)

Only seven days after posting a four-goal win in Vancouver against Whitecaps FC 2, Tulsa Roughnecks FC was unable produce a repeat performance Friday night at ONEOK Field. WFC2 got a first-half brace from MLS midfielder Marco Bustos and produced a 3-1 win before 5,106 in downtown Tulsa .

Steven Miller and Tulsa Roughnecks FC were dropped a 3-1 decision to WFC2 at ONEOK Field Friday night. (Rich Crimi)

It was only second road victory of the season for WFC2, while the loss ended a four-match unbeaten streak for the Roughnecks. The defeat kept Tulsa on 25 points while its record fell to 7-9-4. Whitecaps FC 2 improved to 26 points and 7-10-5 and moved ahead of the Roughnecks into the seventh spot in the USL Western Conference table.

Like several home matches this season, the Roughnecks started promisingly, but were unable to convert the pressure into a goal. In only the second minute, Brady Ballew was denied inside the box by Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Marco Carucci.

Two minutes later, a great combination on the left from Steven Miller and Cristian Mata set up Ballew again, but his shot went over the crossbar.

Ten minutes later, WFC2 capitalized on its first chance. The Roughnecks backline failed to clear the danger and the ball ended up on the foot of Bustos on the back post who tapped home to give Whitecaps FC 2 a 1-0 lead.

Bustos struck again in the 31st minute from the penalty spot after Tulsa's Henri Manhebo was called for a trip in the box. Bustos sent Jake Feener the wrong way and softly finished to make it 2-0.

After the halftime break, the Roughnecks found a way back into the match in the 51st minute. On a corner kick, Cristian Mata was thrown down in the box by Jackson Farmer. Lucas Cordeiro left Carucci no chance on the penalty kick, blasting a low drive into the right corner to cut the WFC2 lead to 2-1.

It took all of two minutes for Whitecaps FC 2 to respond. Victor Blasco weaved through the Tulsa backline before delivering a finish into the top portion of the goal to restore the two-goal margin.

Head coach David Irving made three changes trying to find a way back into the match. He brought on Adam Black, Kyrian Kidd and Gibson Bardsley in search of a comeback, but WFC2 protected its two-goal lead.

Whitecaps FC 2 head coach Alan Koch made three changes to his backline from last Friday's match, and it paid dividends. The physicality of the 6' 5" Craig Nitti and the 6' 2" Farmer caused problems for the Roughnecks. Nitti and Farmer were whistled for a combined six fouls, with most coming at the expense of Mata.

Tulsa finished with an 18-11 advantage in shots and a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks.

It was Legends Night at the match with a special halftime ceremony conducted to honor a number of original Roughnecks. Former players and staff members were presented with personalized change jerseys that were modeled after the original Roughnecks first jerseys from the 1978 season. Honorees included Charlie Mitchell, Steve Earle, Alex Skotarek, Victor Moreland, David Irving, Larry Egge, Chris Lincoln, Dr. Jeffrey Emel and the families of Alan Woodward and Barry Wallace.

Check out the FC Tulsa Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Whitecaps FC 2
(Rich Crimi)		 Original NASL Tulsa Roughnecks
Original NASL Tulsa Roughnecks
(Rich Crimi)		  



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 1, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central