August 21, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – A frustrating first half for FC Tulsa erupted into fireworks, sirens, flashing lights, and celebration on Saturday night at ONEOK Field as a brilliant performance by goalkeeper Austin Wormell and a 90′ minute stunner from Machuca cemented the 1-0 victory in a crucial matchup against Indy Eleven.
It was FC Tulsa that started the match off as the more dangerous side, just as it has been over its last three outings. The club earned three corner kicks over the first 17 minutes of the match, one of which was put just wide of the far post by the head of Adrián Diz Pe, the 6’3” center-back. In the same span, Indy mustered just one shot off target.
Tulsa had another golden chance in the 23′ minute when Lebo Moloto rainbowed a perfect ball right in front of an on-running Rodrigo da Costa, leading him into the box and creating a one-on-one chance with the Indy keeper. Da Costa took the shot with his first touch and uncharacteristically put his attempt just off target, screaming at the ground and showing plenty of visible frustration following the effort.
Time after time throughout the first half, the Indy backline was asked serious questions by Brian Brown, Lebo Moloto, Sean McFarlane, and others, but the black jerseys could not seem to find the back of the net.
The best look(s) of the half came in the 39′ minute as once again, Lebo Moloto led Sean McFarlane beautifully on the right side inside the 18-yard-box with only the Indy keeper to beat. He blistered a shot heading into the upper-90 of the goal, but somehow Tim Trilk got an outstretched hand out the ball for the visitors. However, the ball fell to Noah Powder who unleashed another attempt on goal that was miraculously saved again by Trilk from inside his own goal. Once again, FC Tulsa walked away from a prime scoring chance with nothing to show for it.
Through the first 45+1 minutes, FC Tulsa posted an astounding 1.28 XG, a number that could easily equate to three or four expected goals, but walked into the locker room at halftime with nothing to show for it.
The second half was much quieter than the first half, at least at first. The match got off to a much cagier start and play was nowhere near as open as it was in the first half. Both clubs created a few good scoring chances between the 45′ and 65′ minutes, courtesy of Eric Bird for Tulsa and Solomon Asanté for Indy, but neither were classified as “good chances”…