June 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – Three critical saves from keeper Austin Wormell led FC Tulsa to a first clean sheet in 11 matches as the home drew Miami FC 0-0 to complete a two-match homestand on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. It’s the second consecutive home draw from FC Tulsa, but more importantly the shutout is a step in the right direction defensively for a team needing confidence in the backline.
A formation switch to a 3-4-3 has yielded immediately dividends this week with the center-back trio of Matheus Silva, Johnny Fenwick and Adrián Diz Pe in front of Wormell allowing just one goal this week on 11 total shots on target from Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday and Miami FC on Saturday.
It was an eventful week for the native Tulsan in net, who didn’t learn he was going to make his USL Championship season debut until just hours before Wednesday’s match. Wormell made seven saves on Wednesday and three more on Saturday, including a highlight reel double save on Miami fullback Mark Segbers and forward Adonijah Reid in the 7′ minute on what was Miami’s best chance of the opening half.
FC Tulsa was unlucky not to score themselves inside the match’s first 20 minutes. Two chances from Brian Brown that barely missed the target and a rocket from Rodrigo da Costa that skimmed the crossbar had Tulsa on the front foot throughout the half.
Despite the scoreless first half, both teams compiled an xG (expected goals) of nearly 2.0 in the first half with FC Tulsa edging Miami 1.25-0.71.
The chances dried up for both sides in the second half as each defense locked down in their own third.
Tulsa fans’ hearts were in their throats in second half stoppage time when Miami substitute Kyle Murphy, who scored three goals against FC Tulsa last season as a member of Memphis 901 FC, headed a shot towards Wormell’s left post. It evaded the outstretched fingers of Wormell, but caromed off the post back across the goalline.
Wormell…