Sweet Victory for Hartford on the Road, 2-1 over Tulsa

August 25, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release

Hartford Athletic came into ONEOK Field and took three valuable points away from FC Tulsa tonight, winning the match 2-1.

The Green and Blue began tonight’s match with great energy, creating a few scoring chances early on. Just two minutes in, Younes Boudadi and Joel Johnson executed an excellent give-and-go, leading to a doorstep opportunity for Boudadi, but his shot was smothered by Tulsa keeper Austin Wormell. Hartford would take three more shots over the next 15 minutes, and eventually found their first goal in the 20th minute. Luka Prpa lofted a quality ball from his own half into Tulsa’s third to Joel Johnson. The Liberian national had plenty of space and found Ariel Martínez across the Tulsa box, and the 36 year old drilled a perfect strike into the top left corner of the net, giving Hartford a 1-0 lead. Tulsa took eight more shots before the end of the half in their attempt to respond, but only one was on target. The Green and Blue lead would hold after the first 45 minutes.

Hartford Athletic remained steady at the start of the second half, limiting Tulsa’s opportunities early on. The home side owned 69% of possession through the first 15 minutes of the half, but had just one shot on target to show for it. It was in the 80th minute when the door opened for Tulsa after Modou Jadama was called for a handball in Hartford’s box, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity for the home side. Darío Suárez converted the penalty, as Hartford conceded a PK for the third straight match.

Right when it looked as if the air had been blown out of the balloon for Hartford, the visiting side responded relentlessly. In the 83rd minute, Ash Apollon crossed a ball into Tulsa’s box that was met by a well-struck header from Danny Barrera. Austin Wormell made a miraculous quick reaction save initially, but the rebound fell to second half substitute Juan Carlos Obregón Jr., who booted in the deciding goal for Hartford.

The Green and Blue had to survive the final seven minutes of attack from Tulsa, facing six shots. The game’s final play was a Tulsa corner kick in the 96th minute in which Tulsa nearly found their equalizer. Bradley Bourgeois headed a ball to his feet, took a shot that floated towards goal and past Yannik Oettl, but Tulu calmly kicked the shot away from the goal line with his right foot. A heroic blocked shot from the defenseman, who has been quite the bright…