Match Preview: ATL UTD 2 at FC Tulsa

Atlanta United 2 visits ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma to take on FC Tulsa on Saturday, July 9. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

MATCH INFORMATION

Saturday, July 9 | ONEOK Field | 8:30 p.m. ET

ATL UTD 2 (4-12-3, 15 points) vs. FC Tulsa (5-10-4, 19 points)

Stream: ESPN+

Link: Watch

ATL UTD 2 played to a 3-3 draw in its last match against Birmingham Legion on Wednesday. The scoresheet included three different goal scorers for the first time this season, as Luke Brennan, Tristan Trager and Nick Firmino scored in the midweek fixture. Firmino headed in a Robbie Mertz free kick in stoppage time to steal a late point at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

TRISTAN TRAGER

The reigning USL Championship Player of the Week is on an incredible run of form, becoming the first player in club history to score in four-straight matches in his last appearance.

Trager earned that distinction with his 67th-minute equalizer against Birmingham Legion, touching down an over-the-top ball from Mertz before rounding the goalkeeper and finding the open net.

In the Air Force Academy alumnus’ 486 minutes played, he’s taken 11 shots; of those 11 shots, nine were on target and six were goals.

LUKE BRENNAN

Brought on as a substitute with Atlanta down 2-0 in the 61st minute, it took Brennan only four minutes on the pitch to head his side back into the game against Birmingham. 

Erik Centeno created an opening to force a cross through, sending a ball into the Legion FC six-yard box toward Brennan. The 17-year-old leapt through the air and directed the Centeno cross into the back of the net, becoming the youngest player to score for ATL UTD 2 this season.

ROBBIE MERTZ

The Atlanta captain has registered four assists across his last two games, becoming the first player in the squad to register two multi-assist matches in a row. 

Mertz’s recent performances have vaulted him to the top of the USL Championship’s assist leaderboard, as he now sits in a tie for first place with six assists.

The Pennsylvania boasts the highest total of goal and assist contributions on ATL UTD 2, adding three goals to his impressive assist tally.

FC TULSA IN 2022

FC Tulsa currently sit in ninth place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference, having drawn its last match with Loudoun United 2-2.

Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo da Costa scored the 30th USLC goal of his career in the dying seconds of the match to secure a point for Tulsa; Da Costa leads the club all-time in goals, assists, and appearances.

Saturday could be the FC Tulsa debut for defender Noah Powder, who was acquired from Indy Eleven on Tuesday in exchange for goalkeeper Sean Lewis.