Preview: FC Tulsa vs. Monterey Bay F.C. – October 8 – ONEOK Field, 7:30 p.m. CT
October 7, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – A legendary night in Indianapolis last weekend set the scene for what is already the biggest crowd of the FC Tulsa era tomorrow night. At 18 years old, Luca Sowinski recorded the second hat trick in club history in just his second professional appearance. As the young guns get more minutes under their belts at the end of this season, something tells us there is plenty more of the same in store for FC Tulsa fans.
The Tulsa attack has been humming as of late, led by usual suspects Darío Suárez and Rodrigo da Costa. Suárez has scored in three straight matches and in seven of the club’s last nine outings. Similarly, da Costa has contributed to four goals in the club’s last four contests, posting two goals and two assists. Add a teenager into the mix who can seemingly score at will and now you’re looking at a group up front that can ask serious questions of a defense.
Both Sowinski and Suárez received league recognition this past week when both received their first USL Championship Team of the Week nod for their efforts in Tulsa’s 4-2 defeat over Indy Eleven on the inaugural day of October. It marked the second time this season two FC Tulsa players appeared in a Team of the Week alongside one another, the other dating back to Week 4.
However, Tulsa’s front three could have a difficult task ahead of it on Saturday night as a volatile Monterey Bay F.C. defense makes the 1,665-mile trip east to the Oil Capital of the World.
Monterey Bay has come up with 11 clean sheets this season, the fifth-most in the USL Championship, but shockingly has also conceded three or more goals in eight matches. It’s a feast-or-famine style defensive unit for head coach Frank Yallop whose effectiveness seemingly varies week to week. The Tulsa front three will look to capitalize on its opponent’s propensity to give up goals in bunches in front of the home fans with only two matches left on the 2022 docket.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, presented by Arvest Bank.
SCOUTING MONTEREY BAY F.C.
While six clubs currently are within four points of each other and jockeying for the final three playoff spots in the Western Conference, every single point is critical for first-year USL Championship club Monterey Bay F.C. Unfortunately for the central California side in the thick of it, Monterey Bay has dropped its last two matches by a combined score of 6-1. The club got off to a rocky start in its inaugural USL-C season with a 1W-6L-0D record, but has since gathered its bearings.
Over the summer, Monterey Bay set the ninth-longest shutout streak in league history at 558 minutes and the third-longest for any first-year club. Chase Boone and Sam Gleadle lead the squad with eight goals apiece while playmaker James Murphy’s 50 chances created put him atop his squad.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1) No Shortage of Scoring
FC Tulsa has now scored in nine straight matches, the club’s longest streak with a goal scored dating back to its stretch between August 30, 2020 until May 9, 2021. Over these last nine matches, Tulsa has amassed 17 total goals and picked up 14 points. FC Tulsa now sits on 46 goals scored this season, tying it for the 11th most scored in the league.
2) Vamos Tulsa Night
Saturday night will be Vamos Tulsa Night at ONEOK Field! FC Tulsa has partnered with Que Buena Tulsa to host a night dedicated to celebrating Hispanic/Latinx heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month, starting at 3 p.m. CT outside of ONEOK Field. There will be two live bands, food trucks, vendors, and much more! The match will be followed by fireworks and an Independencia La Liga match on the ONEOK pitch. For more info on Vamos Tulsa Night, click here.
3) 2023 Season Tickets
FC Tulsa fans, it’s time to renew your season tickets for 2023 or to put down your deposit for the first time! Club 918 is the new exclusive club for Season Ticket Members and FC Tulsa is offering both a reserved seating membership as well as a general admission membership – payment plans start at just $11.33 per month and also include additional benefits only made available to Club 918 Members! Contact an FC Tulsa Ticket Rep at [email protected] or call 918-297-6808 for more information.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can still get tickets to what is already the largest crowd of the FC Tulsa era before the day of the match! Otherwise, tune in to My41 locally or stream nationally on ESPN+. Also, be sure to follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for highlights, updates, and more matchday content!
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