Overview: SAC @ TUL
- Date: Saturday, October 3
- Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. PT
- Location: ONEOK Field (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Watch at Home: FOX40+, FOX40.com, ESPN+
Know Your Club – Republic FC
It’s been a busy week for The Quails, but hard work continues to pay off. After opening the stretch with a 3-2 road win over New Mexico on Saturday, the Indomitable Club returned home and lived up to its name with victory over Las Vegas Lights on Wednesday night.
Down a goal twice during the match, Republic FC equalized before eventually running away with all three points. Memo Rodriguez struck first with a 30-yard rocket that froze the keeper as it sailed to the upper 90. On the other side of the break, Cal Jennings drew a penalty that was taken by Memo Rodriguez. The initial attempt was blocked, but only went as far as Tyler Wolff, who reacted faster than everyone to direct a shot to the far post.
Kyle Edwards added to his tally as the league’s all-time leading substitute goal scorer when he got on the end of a long corner from Memo in the 82nd minute.
Undefeated in its last nine matches, Republic FC is now tied on points for second place in the Western Conference table and just four points back from first.
“The boys have put us in a position to go and really challenge. We’re not taking anything for granted,” said Head Coach Neill Collins. “Two or three weeks ago, we were close to that playoff line. We’ve created a lot of separation there, but that’s not what we’re aiming for. We’re not judging ourselves by just getting into the playoffs. We want to finish as high as we possibly can.”
Know Your Opponent – FC Tulsa
Similar to Republic FC, the defending Western Conference Champions have turned up the dial in recent weeks and since August 22 have lost just one game. At home, they have recorded three consecutive wins, including a 1-0 victory over second place New Mexico United on Wednesday.
The game-winner came early in the contest. Jeorgio Kocevski intercepted a pass near midfield and split two defenders with a pass to Logan Dorsey on the left. Dorsey fired a shot that was blocked, but Will Wilson followed the play through and found the one-touch volley on the rebound to get his first goal for FC Tulsa. On the other side of the pitch, New Mexico took its chances going forward, but a six-save performance from Tulsa goalkeeper Dane Jacomen kept the Black & Yellow off the board. Tulsa is now third in the league and first in the Western Conference with 11 clean sheets.
Heading into the weekend, FC Tulsa is two points back from Republic FC. But with both teams facing a “win and in” situation, the stage is set for a playoff-like atmosphere in Tulsa on Saturday night.
Head-to-Head
Republic FC continues to dominate this all-time series with a record of 10 wins, three losses, and five draws. The clubs have already met twice this season with each team earning a win on home turf.
