PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Wednesday, August 24th, 2022
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Location: ONEOK Field, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (5-15-5) vs FC TULSA (9-12-4)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-0 loss to Miami FC at home last Saturday. A frustrating loss for Hartford, who out possessed Miami 57.9% to 42.% and put six shots on target to Miami’s four. For the second straight week, they conceded a goal late in the first half via the penalty kick, this time after Luka Prpa got tangled with Mark Segbers in the Hartford box. Kyle Murphy would convert the penalty. Miami found a second goal in the 62nd minute on a beautiful give-and-go between Florian Valot and Aedan Stanley, ending with Valot beating Oettl to the upper right of the net. Hartford created chances to get on the board, recording 13 touches in Miami’s box in the second half, but they were unable to find a goal.
SEARCH COMPLETED
After a two-month-long search almost to the date, Hartford Athletic have named a new Head Coach: U.S. Men’s National Team legend and National Soccer Hall of Famer Tab Ramos. Extremely exciting news for the club, Ramos will begin his coaching duties on September 1st. His first game will be on September 10th at home.
HITTING THE ROAD
After back to back home matches, Hartford Athletic start a three-game road trip in Tulsa on Saturday night. The road has not treated them well, as they currently hold a 1-7-4 record as the visiting team. This will also be Hartford’s second trip to Tulsa, having made the trip back in May, only to have the game postponed due to COVID complications with Tulsa.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hartford Athletic, Tulu, DF #4
Tulu has become a mainstay in the Hartford backline in the second half of this season, starting five consecutive games and making an impact defensively. He made a heroic block against Miami last week on a shot from Kyle Murphy that would have likely given the visiting side an early 1-0 lead. In addition to his defensive presence, he’s been active on corner kicks in the air for Hartford. He headed a shot that was inches from crossing the goal line last week, but was headed back out by a Miami defender. He’s a threat to score in the air and is bound to find the back of the net before the season ends.
FC Tulsa, Austin Wormell, GK #31
Seldom is a goalkeeper on anyone’s “players to watch” list, however, it’s hard not to note Austin Wormell after the performance he had last week. He posted a seven-save shutout and made a miraculous second half save to keep Tulsa tied 0-0 with Indy Eleven. His squad would take a 1-0 lead in the 90th minute, keeping their playoff hopes alive behind his top-tier goalkeeping. Wormell has 54 saves and four clean sheets on the season.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
FC Tulsa are coming off a 1-0 win over Indy Eleven last Saturday. A dramatic game winning goal from Marlon “Machuca” Ramírez in the 90th minute sealed the deal for Tulsa on their home field. They’ve managed a 3-2-0 record over their last five games despite only scoring six goals across that stretch, showing they can earn points without being a top club offensively. Plus, FC Tulsa are quite comfortable at home, holding a 7-3-2 record at Oneok Field. They are led by Rodrigo Da Casta, who has seven goals and 31 chances created.
INJURY REPORT:
Hartford Athletic:
Out: None
FC Tulsa:
Out: Jorge Corrales (Lower Body)
Questionable: Brian Brown (Lower Body)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: For live updates, follow along on twitter using the hashtag #TULvHFD
