June 1, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – Playing with heavy hearts for its community just hours after a mass shooting rocked the city of Tulsa, FC Tulsa took on the Tampa Bay Rowdies at ONEOK Field. While the scoreline was 1-1, the result of tonight’s match is insignificant compared to the lives lost in the shooting and the families devastated by this unspeakable tragedy.
The recap of the match continues below, but the players, coaches and front office staff at FC Tulsa are keeping all of those affected at the forefront of our minds.
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A thin FC Tulsa squad, affected by international duty absences and several players under health and safety protocols, took the pitch on Wednesday night. Underlying the lack of depth was a single keeper in the club’s 18-man roster as Austin Wormell made his first USL Championship appearance between the posts. To fill out the roster, Michael Nsien placed three Academy players into the 18, midfielder Aimar Membrila and defenders Jesus Hernandez and Josue Flores, none of whom have made their pro debuts in league play.
Tampa Bay Rowdies started the match on the front foot and the pressure paid off quickly with a fortunate bounce off the post. A cross from Rowdies forward Leo Fernandes found its way through everyone and ricocheted off the inside of Austin Wormell’s post right back out to the box. Laurence Wyke met the carom and easily slotted in the opener.
Wormell kept his net clean through the rest of the opening 45 minutes, making three saves, including two point-blank stops.
The second-year keeper continued his good play in the second half as he made three more saves to keep it a one-goal match before FC Tulsa struck late with an equalizer.
In an unfamiliar role, second half substitute Rodrigo da Costa was the difference-maker for Tulsa in the 83′ minute. A ball sent into the box by Matheus Silva was controlled by Machuca who looked for da Costa. After a slight deflection from a Rowdies…