TULSA – Taylor Calheira’s late-game header secured a historic 1-0 victory for FC Tulsa over Sacramento Republic FC at ONEOK Field, marking the club’s first win in 15 meetings against the Western Conference foe.
With the result, FC Tulsa and head coach Luke Spencer improved to nine points (3-1-0) heading into the weekend, while Sacramento Republic FC returned home with four points (1-1-1). The victory marked its second-ever win against a new opponent this season, following its home-opening win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
“I’m proud of the group,” Spencer said. “The team was fantastic. I thought we started the game well and created some decent chances.
“We could have been a bit cleaner in the final third, but it was a positive start. In the middle of the first half, momentum shifted their way a bit, but we were able to regroup at halftime, talk through a few things, and come out strong in the second half. We really put them under pressure after the break.
“Marcos came on and contributed, adding to the group. Obviously, we missed Johan in goal tonight, but Bryan stepped up in a big way, got the shutout, and that’s what we always talk about — being a complete team, not just a collection of individuals.”
The match began with a measured approach from both sides, with Sacramento’s Cristian Parano firing the first shot 11 minutes in. FC Tulsa responded a minute later when a pair of crosses created an opportunity for Calheira at the top left of the penalty area, though his attempt soared high. Making his first start in goal for FC Tulsa, Bryan Dowd was called into action early, helping the defense weather a pair of Sacramento chances in the 17th minute.
By halftime, Sacramento led the shot count 9-2, with each side managing just one on target.
FC Tulsa ramped up its attacking intensity after the break, unleashing five shots in a three-minute span as it searched for the breakthrough. Calheira came close in the 66th minute, finding space in the middle of the box, but he lifted his shot just over the bar. When another opportunity arose in the 87th minute, he didn’t let it slip away.
Timing his run perfectly, Calheira met Arthur Rogers’ corner kick with a flicked header into the net, scoring his first USL Championship goal and his second with the club after previously converting a penalty in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to my teammates for the constant belief and the coaches as well for telling me to keep going and working hard,” Calheira said. “It came from a lot of hard work, but I’m excited. It’s my first goal, and hopefully, the first of many more. It was late in the game, and I was just thinking, ‘I need to get a goal so we can win.’ I don’t usually run in that spot, but I knew I was going to switch it up.
“I just knew there was a chance if I could get in between the defenders, and Arthur put an amazing ball right on my head, so props to him.”
Dowd, stepping in for an injured Johan Peñaranda, delivered a clean sheet in his debut, helping hold Sacramento to a season-low in shot attempts.
“I would say I was comfortable getting my first start,” Dowd said. “Thankfully, I’ve had some hard tests in the past that have made me who I am today. So it’s just another game. I felt right at home.”
For Spencer and the club, the 90-minute effort echoed the shared mentality throughout the roster.
“Every player on this team brings it every single day, and they all have their moments — they just have to be ready when they come,” Spencer said. “Even the guys who didn’t play tonight were fully engaged, from the first whistle to the final whistle. There’s a genuine excitement and joy about being part of something bigger than themselves.”
Next up, FC Tulsa now turns its attention to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, where it will face Forward Madison FC in the second round on Wednesday in Madison, Wisc. Fans can catch the action at the club’s official watch party at The Tulsan (412 E 2nd St, Tulsa, OK 74120). The club then returns to league play on Saturday, April 12, for Ascension St. John Night at ONEOK Field, featuring a free t-shirt giveaway for fans.
Goals:
87’ TUL – T. Calheira
Cards:
32’ TUL – B. Diallo
74’ SAC – J. Gurr
Lineups:
TUL: Bryan Dowd, Lamar Batista, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Arthur Rogers, Owen Damm, Giordano Colli, Boubacar Diallo, Harvey St Clair, Kalil ElMedkhar, Taylor Calheira, Stefan Stojanovic
(Subs Used: Marcos Cerato, Patrick Seagrist, Stefan Lukic)
SAC: Danny Vitiello, Michelle Benítez, Freddy Kleemann, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Dominik Wanner, Luis Rodrigues, Cristian Parano, Jack Gurr, Russell Cicerone, Sebastián Herrera, Justin Portillo
(Subs Used: Rodrigo Lopez, Blake Wiley, Aaron Edwards, Lewis Jamieson)
