March 30, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – FC Tulsa’s third and final match in seven days could very well end with FC Tulsa in sole possession of first place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. A win over El Paso Locomotive FC would ensure the league’s highest-scoring club is also the league’s point leader across both conferences.
Fresh off the heels of its second consecutive clean sheet, the Tulsa defense has been stout as of late. Bradley Bourgeois and Brett Levis both notched their first start of the season against Pittsburgh this past Tuesday after battling preseason injuries over the first three weeks of the regular season. When factoring those two back into the mix with flexible center-backs/wing-backs Justin Malou and Ruxi, as well as Jorge Corrales who has been exceptional thus far playing center-back for the first time in his career outside of international duty, the depth across Tulsa’s backline is a luxury not afforded to many coaches in this league.
Tulsa’s goalkeeping situation is still up in the air after Michael Nelson, who leads the USL Championship in saves, was removed from the match following a collision with Pittsburgh’s Albert Dikwa on Tuesday. Hometown hero Austin Wormell replaced Nelson in the 21′ minute and went on to make three saves on three shots faced, securing the clean sheet for Tulsa. The Black and Patina is now one of only three sides in the USL Championship with multiple clean sheets alongside Sacramento Republic FC and San Diego Loyal SC.
El Paso Locomotive FC rolls into ONEOK Station after pulling off perhaps the most shocking upset from last weekend, shutting out reigning Eastern Conference champs Louisville City FC 3-0 on the road. However, its victory came at a potential cost valued at Ricardo Zacarias (El Paso’s goal leader) and Marc Navarro (has created the most scoring chances on the squad) who are both somewhere between questionable and doubtful, according to Locomotive FC head coach Brain Clarhaut.
The first $1 Beer Night of the season will be in full swing at ONEOK Field where fans can purchase a Midfield Terrace ticket and have access to beers for just a buck all night long. In addition, it is also College Night where fans can secure a special ticket package that includes an FC Tulsa hat in the colors of their favorite Oklahoma school – the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa, or Oral Roberts University.
Kickoff…