Game Recaps

TULSA – The Black Gold Derby – it's a fitting name for the FC Tulsa/OKC Energy FC rivalry considering who holds the Wrench.

FC Tulsa spent 2020 proving that the franchise’s relaunch was more than just a new name and new colors, and outside of its USL Championship Playoff appearance, there may have been no better indicator than winning last season’s Black Gold Derby.

On Saturday night in its regular season opener, FC Tulsa goes from contender to defender when it travels across Oklahoma to Taft Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. While this first of four meetings alone won’t determine the Wrench’s status in 2021, an away victory for FC Tulsa on the Taft turf could go a long way to determining its home next season.

Here are 3 Things to Know heading into the match to get you ready for Saturday night’s season opener.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

1) Defending the Wrench and a Playoff spot

You don’t need us to tell you what’s on the line in OKC. Not only would a win and three points be an ideal start to FC Tulsa’s #RoadToGold 2021 campaign in the Central Division standings, but it would also give the Wrench holders a 3-0 lead in the Black Gold Derby standings.

However, as FC Tulsa learned last season in its return to play opener at Taft following the long COVID-19 induced layoff, that is easier said than done. The Taft turf isn’t kind to any team and caters towards Energy FC’s direct style of play. To combat that, FC Tulsa will need a quick start on Saturday night to set the tone and allow them to dictate possession and the flow of the match.

2) First Look at New Offenses

If there was room for improvement on the pitch for FC Tulsa this offseason, it was on offense where the club finished with 1.53 goals per match, a number that ranked right in the middle of the 35-team USL Championship. Energy FC meanwhile more than halved that number, sputtering to a league-worst 0.75 goals per match while being shutout in 8 of their 16 contests last season.

Both teams upgraded significantly on offense during the offseason. FC Tulsa signed U.S. international Jerome Kiesewetter and El Salvador international Joaquín Rivas, both forwards with a history of goalscoring prowess in the league. Those players, in addition to returners Darío Suárez, Marlon Santos, Rodrigo da Costa and Lebo Moloto, form an attacking corps that rivals the best in the league.

While OKC’s attacking additions may not have garnered the same headlines as FC Tulsa, Energy FC made some moves throughout the offseason to supplement their attack. Incoming forward Aidan Daniels and midfielders Villyan Bijev and Hiroki Kurimoto are new faces that FC Tulsa fans should see plenty of in 2021.

3) Joaquín to 100

Forward Joaquín Rivas has had quite the offseason. First, it was announced that the winger would return to Tulsa where he scored 17 goals in 61 matches between 2017 and 2018. Then Rivas learned he had been called into the Salvadoran National Team for a friendly against the United States and two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where he notched an assist. Now, Saturday could be another banner day for the 28-year-old.

If Rivas takes the pitch on Saturday night for FC Tulsa, the appearance would mark his 100th in the regular season in his USL Championship career. He would become just the second current FC Tulsa player with 100 appearances, joining Lebo Moloto (154). Several FC Tulsa players are within striking distance of the century mark including Bradley Bourgeois, Eric Bird and Mo Jadama who are all within 15 appearances of 100.

HOW TO WATCH

Every FC Tulsa match this USL Championship season, home and road, will be broadcast locally throughout Tulsa on My41. Fans can also tune in on ESPN+, but will see OKC’s broadcast of the match rather than FC Tulsa’s on My41.

As always, follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and download the FC Tulsa App to get all news, highlights and updates throughout the match.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT in Oklahoma City.

TULSA – The Black Gold Derby – it’s a fitting name for the FC Tulsa/OKC Energy FC rivalry considering who holds the Wrench.

Here are 3 Things to Know heading into the match to get you ready for Saturday night’s season opener.

3 THINGS TO KNOW

1) Defending the Wrench and a Playoff spot

2) First Look at New Offenses

3) Joaquín to 100

HOW TO WATCH

As always, follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and download the FC Tulsa App to get all news, highlights and updates throughout the match.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT in Oklahoma City.

FC Tulsa Adds Former Captain Cyprian Hedrick as Assistant Coach

TULSA – A familiar face will return to FC Tulsa’s touchline for the 2021 season. Retired FC Tulsa defender Cyprian Hedrick has been added to the technical staff as an Assistant Coach, joining Head Coach Michael Nsien, First Assistant Donovan Ricketts and Assistant Coach Nemanja Vukovic. Hedrick spent the last two seasons of his prolific pro soccer career in Tulsa, serving as the club’s Captain during the 2019 season.

“Adding Cyprian to our staff, we see an opportunity for him to help our Academy players,” said Nsien. “He’s had a great career and can show our players entering the professional game how to take the right approach to making a career out of soccer.”

Over his eight-year USL Championship career, Hedrick appeared in 167 regular season USL Championship matches, playing nearly 14,000 career minutes. He ranks in the top 20 in league history in both categories… The now 31-year-old made the USL Championship Playoffs in four of his eight seasons in the league, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2016 with OKC Energy FC.

"I want to thank the organization, Mike and his staff for giving me this opportunity to continue to stay involved in the game at this level," said Hedrick. "It means a lot to be part of such a diverse coaching staff, and I’m looking forward to a great season."

Hedrick’s final two seasons as a professional came in Tulsa as he signed with Nsien and the then-Roughnecks prior to the 2019 season. An incoming veteran with a wealth of experience, he was named the Captain in his inaugural season in Tulsa and appeared in 33 matches, playing every minute of all 33. While he battled injuries in 2020 which limited his playing time, Hedrick’s leadership in the locker room was a critical piece in the turnaround of the franchise during the first season of the Craft brothers’ ownership and the FC Tulsa era.

Beginning in his new role immediately, Hedrick will be on the touchline for FC Tulsa’s season opening match on Saturday night against Energy FC. Kickoff of that match is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and the match will air locally in Tulsa on My41.

“I want to thank the organization, Mike and his staff for giving me this opportunity to continue to stay involved in the game at this level,” said Hedrick. “It means a lot to be part of such a diverse coaching staff, and I’m looking forward to a great season.”

FC Tulsa Announces 2021 Captain, Vice Captain

TULSA – Two of FC Tulsa’s longest serving players will form the backbone of its on-pitch leadership structure in 2021. The club announced on Thursday morning that defender Bradley Bourgeois would wear the armband in 2021 and serve as the FC Tulsa Captain this season, with midfielder Rodrigo da Costa leading alongside Bourgeois as the Vice Captain.

“Bradley and Rodrigo will be leading our squad into this 2021 season,” said head coach Michael Nsien. “Bradley was one of our Captains last season, and it was important to continue to build upon the high standards that were set for last year. Bradley embodies a professional mentality, and I know he will help shape this team for success with all of his ability. Rodrigo has worked with our staff since 2019 and has given everything for the club over the last two years. FC Tulsa is in great hands with these two at the helm in addition to other key leaders on our roster.”

Bourgeois has in many ways represented the face of the FC Tulsa era of the club that began with the 2020 season. A University of Tulsa grad, Bourgeois considers Tulsa a second home and has been a part of both Tulsa’s USL Championship Playoff teams, in 2017 as the Roughnecks and in 2020 as FC Tulsa. In fact, Bourgeois has never missed the playoffs in his previous five professional seasons in the USL Championship.

The 27-year-old defender served as the team’s Vice Captain in 2020 and did fill in for former captain Ariel Martínez, due to injury, in one match in 2020. This will be the first time in Bourgeois’s career that he has been named the Captain of his club.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named the captain of FC Tulsa,” said Bourgeois. “I have to thank Mike [Nsien] and the entire coaching staff for this incredible opportunity to wear the armband. Nothing will change with how I go about my business day-to-day. On and off the pitch, this team has a lot of leaders, so I want to empower and support them to make this group the best it can be.”

Da Costa meanwhile is entering his third consecutive season in Tulsa and is already near or at the top of many of FC Tulsa’s offensive statistics. In franchise history, the Brazilian attacking midfielder is first all time in assists (15), third in goals (13), fourth in starts (48) and fourth in minutes (4,225). He is also one of just two Tulsa players to ever make a USL Championship All-League team as he was named to the All-League Second Team following his rookie season in 2019.

Da Costa does have experience with the armband, as he served as Captain in one match in 2019.

“Being named Vice Captain this year means a lot to me,” said da Costa. “Since 2019, I’ve watched the club restructure, and I believe my relationship with the coaches at FC Tulsa has allowed them to trust me in collaborating with the development of the club on and off the field. However, with this great honor also comes great responsibility, and I’m ready to take it on.”

FC Tulsa kicks off its 2021 USL Championship season on Saturday at OKC Energy during the league’s opening weekend. The Black Gold Derby is one of just two league matchups in Week 1, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday night’s rivalry will be broadcast locally in Tulsa on My41 through FC Tulsa’s season-long broadcast agreement with Fox23.

Da Costa does have experience with the armband, as he served as Captain in one match in 2019.

USL Championship announces 2021 Playoff Format

TAMPA – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced the playoff format for the 2021 postseason, set to begin in November. FC Tulsa is coming off it's best season in club history, a season in which it earned its second playoff appearance in club history.

Last season, Tulsa qualified for the 2020 playoffs as one of the top two teams in its group of five. In 2021, Tulsa will be aiming to finish as one of the top four teams in its group of eight and make a push for playoff success in the new season.

Read the full statement from the USL Championship below.

TAMPA – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced the playoff format for the 2021 postseason, set to begin in November. FC Tulsa is coming off it’s best season in club history, a season in which it earned its second playoff appearance in club history.

Read the full statement from the USL Championship below.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced today its playoff structure for the 2021 season, which will feature 16 teams when the regular season concludes in the last weekend of October.

Following the announcement of the Championship’s divisional alignment in March, the top four teams from each division in the regular season will advance into a regionalized single-elimination bracket. The top two clubs in each of the Atlantic, Central, Mountain and Pacific Divisions will earn hosting rights in the Eastern and Western Conference Quarterfinals, regardless of total points.

Division winners will be matched with the fourth-place team, while second-placed teams will meet third-placed teams from the opposing division in the Conference Quarterfinals, matching up teams from the Atlantic Division and Central Division in the Eastern Conference and the Mountain and Pacific Division in the Western Conference.

Following the Conference Quarterfinals round, home advantage will be determined by total points earned, regardless of division rank, for the remainder of the postseason.

The Championship season will conclude with the USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 28 with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced today its playoff structure for the 2021 season, which will feature 16 teams when the regular season concludes in the last weekend of October.

Following the Conference Quarterfinals round, home advantage will be determined by total points earned, regardless of division rank, for the remainder of the postseason.

The Championship season will conclude with the USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 28 with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes.

Click here to view the full 2021 FC Tulsa schedule, and head to www.fctulsa.com/Tickets to get your season ticket memberships and not miss a minute of the action in 2021!

FC Tulsa Opens Up ONEOK Field with Preseason Draw: Recap Presented by Williams

TULSA – On Saturday, FC Tulsa soccer was officially back at ONEOK Field. While the result was a 1-1 draw against Austin Bold FC, the afternoon match presented an opportunity for Tulsa to re-introduce outdoor pro sports to the community after an extended offseason.

It was a slow start for Tulsa in the first half, who couldn't find much traction offensively. A controversial penalty was awarded to Austin in the 37' minute when Jorge Corrales committed a foul that appeared to be outside the 18-yard box. Tulsa keeper Austin Wormell saved Jason Johnson's initial penalty, but the ball ricocheted off Wormell's hands straight to an on-rushing Xavi Baez who slotted it home.

The start of the second half saw multiple changes for Tulsa as newly-acquired midfielder Kembo Kibato made his preseason debut and Sean Lewis replaced Austin Wormell in net. The changes created a spark for Tulsa that eventually resulted in an equalizer. Off a cross, the ball fell to the feet of defender Kevin Garcia who bundelled it into the goal for the first tally at ONEOK this year for FC Tulsa.

A physical final 20 minutes ensued to the end of the match with both teams unable to find a winner.

MATCH STORYLINES

1) Sean Lewis Makes His Return to Pitch
After dealing with a minor injury throughout much of preseason, goalkeeper Sean Lewis returned to the net for Tulsa to start the second half. Lewis had a standout season in 2020 and was named the team's MVP. Lewis was stout in his 45 minutes, keeping Austin off the scoreboard.

2) Hometown Kids Receive ONEOK Debut
Tulsa natives midfielder Ciaran Winters and keeper Austin Wormell made their ONEOK Field debuts on Saturday. Wormell started in net for Tulsa while Winters came on as a sub in the 80' minute. Wormell made a penalty save before Austin's goal to put an exclamation on what was an impressive preseason.

3) Garcia Bags His First for Tulsa
While it won't officially count, Kevin Garcia's goal was the first for the defender in a Tulsa uniform. A corner fell into the waiting feet of Garcia who didn't miss. In his career, Garcia scored one goal for Rio Grande Valley FC in the USL Championship and one goal for Houston Dynamo FC in MLS.

4) Another Tulsa/Austin Draw
It wouldn't be an FC Tulsa vs. Austin Bold FC match without a draw. The three matches between the sides in 2020 all ended in a draw. The two teams will meet once in the 2021 regular season, on September 18 (918 Day) at ONEOK Field.

UP NEXT
The USL Championship returns with a bang in 2021 next Saturday with FC Tulsa traveling to OKC Energy FC for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in the Black Gold Derby. It will be one of two matches played on opening weekend across the league.

It was a slow start for Tulsa in the first half, who couldn’t find much traction offensively. A controversial penalty was awarded to Austin in the 37′ minute when Jorge Corrales committed a foul that appeared to be outside the 18-yard box. Tulsa keeper Austin Wormell saved Jason Johnson’s initial penalty, but the ball ricocheted off Wormell’s hands straight to an on-rushing Xavi Baez who slotted it home.

A physical final 20 minutes ensued to the end of the match with both teams unable to find a winner.

MATCH STORYLINES

1) Sean Lewis Makes His Return to Pitch
After dealing with a minor injury throughout much of preseason, goalkeeper Sean Lewis returned to the net for Tulsa to start the second half. Lewis had a standout season in 2020 and was named the team’s MVP. Lewis was stout in his 45 minutes, keeping Austin off the scoreboard.

2) Hometown Kids Receive ONEOK Debut
Tulsa natives midfielder Ciaran Winters and keeper Austin Wormell made their ONEOK Field debuts on Saturday. Wormell started in net for Tulsa while Winters came on as a sub in the 80′ minute. Wormell made a penalty save before Austin’s goal to put an exclamation on what was an impressive preseason.

3) Garcia Bags His First for Tulsa
While it won’t officially count, Kevin Garcia’s goal was the first for the defender in a Tulsa uniform. A corner fell into the waiting feet of Garcia who didn’t miss. In his career, Garcia scored one goal for Rio Grande Valley FC in the USL Championship and one goal for Houston Dynamo FC in MLS.

4) Another Tulsa/Austin Draw
It wouldn’t be an FC Tulsa vs. Austin Bold FC match without a draw. The three matches between the sides in 2020 all ended in a draw. The two teams will meet once in the 2021 regular season, on September 18 (918 Day) at ONEOK Field.

WATCH: Kevin Garcia levels the match at 1-1 in FC Tulsa's preseason match presented by the Tulsa Area United Way

Match Preview: FC Tulsa vs. Austin Bold FC, Presented by the Tulsa Area United Way

TULSA – Pro sports are officially back at ONEOK Field on Saturday.

FC Tulsa makes its triumphant return home fresh off a record-breaking 2020 season, the best in franchise history and first under the ownership of the Craft brothers.

Saturday afternoon’s 2 p.m. kickoff will mark the start of FC Tulsa’s 17-match home schedule at ONEOK, but the 2021 preseason finale. While the players will take center stage on Saturday, FC Tulsa will be playing for a worthy cause. The match will be presented by the Tulsa Area United Way, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the city of Tulsa. With the partnership, FC Tulsa will donate $3 from every ticket sold back to the Tulsa Area United Way, up to $10,000.

Tickets are still available to see the match in the afternoon sunshine on Saturday, but fans at home will have a chance to witness another piece of franchise history – the first FC Tulsa match aired on local network television. FC Tulsa’s broadcast partner, Fox23, will air the match on “big Fox” for the first time ever. That broadcast will allow FC Tulsa a grand stage to showcase the growth of the club since the new era of ownership took over in August of 2019.

The match will present head coach Michael Nsien one final chance to evaluate his 2021 FC Tulsa roster heading into the start of the USL Championship regular season. FC Tulsa is coming off its best outing of the preseason, a comfortable 5-0 win over USL League Two’s FC Wichita. Tulsa will attempt to build on that momentum in Saturday’s matchup against Austin Bold FC will present an opportunity to finish the preseason on a positive note.

HOW TO FOLLOW
TV Broadcast: Fox23
Spanish Radio Broadcast: Que Buena Tulsa (104.9 FM, 100.3 FM, 1530 AM)
Social Media: @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

SCOUTING AUSTIN BOLD FC
The two clubs come into Saturday’s preseason match with a sense of familiarity, having faced off three times during 2020’s shortened season. All three matches were hotly contested, with two of them ending in a 2-2 draw, and the other ending 1-1. With FC Tulsa’s move to the Eastern Conference in 2021, the rivalry with Austin won’t be as prevalent on this year’s slate, however the club’s will meet in the regular season on 918 Day in September.

Representing the Mountain Division in the USL’s Western Conference, Austin Bold FC enters Saturday’s match against FC Tulsa with a mixed bag of preseason results in their back pocket. Starting their preseason against two MLS clubs, they came up short against Houston Dynamo FC on March 20th, losing 2-0, and followed it up with a 3-0 defeat against FC Dallas on March 24th.

Bold FC rebounded with a 6-1 win against Round Rocks SC of the UPSL on March 27th, followed by a 1-1 draw with Rio Grande Valley FC last Sunday. In their fifth preseason match this past Wednesday, they defeated OKC Energy FC 1-0.

STORYLINES TO WATCH

1) The fans return to ONEOK Field
Saturday’s match will see the arrival of a long-awaited moment in Tulsa. For the first time since October 3rd, FC Tulsa fans will be in attendance at ONEOK Field. After what has been the longest offseason in recent USL Championship history, the wait is finally over, and the fans will be back cheering on the club at ONEOK. If the 2020 season is any indication, the fans can make a difference in the result on Saturday.

2) Historic Partnership with the Tulsa Area United Way
FC Tulsa’s final preseason game will be presented by the Tulsa Area United Way, with $3 from each ticket sold, up to $10,000, being donated. This isn’t the first time FC Tulsa has partnered with the Tulsa Area United Way, as the two organizations joined together for a COVID-19 relief project in 2020. Then, a portion of the sales from the 918 Tee and the 2020 City Kit were donated to the Tulsa Area United Way.

3) Afternoon Kickoff
Saturday’s kickoff will be at 2 p.m., the first midday kickoff in the FC Tulsa era. With April being a bit cooler, the afternoon start time will provide fans and players alike with an outdoor experience during the warmest part of the Spring day. Gates will open at 1 p.m. for fans to arrive early.

WHERE TO WATCH
ONEOK Field, of course! Tickets are available now starting at just $10. Get yours before matchday to save $5 on every ticket you purchase by clicking here or calling (918) 297-6808.

If you can’t make it to the park, the match will be televised on Fox23 in throughout Tulsa for the first time since the broadcast partnership between FC Tulsa and Fox23 began in 2020.

TULSA – Pro sports are officially back at ONEOK Field on Saturday.

HOW TO FOLLOW
TV Broadcast: Fox23
Spanish Radio Broadcast: Que Buena Tulsa (104.9 FM, 100.3 FM, 1530 AM)
Social Media: @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

STORYLINES TO WATCH

If you can’t make it to the park, the match will be televised on Fox23 in throughout Tulsa for the first time since the broadcast partnership between FC Tulsa and Fox23 began in 2020.