The following is a press release from Saint Louis FC of the USL.
April 15, 2016 – Matchday 5
Saint Louis FC (1-2-1, 4 Pts.) vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC (1-2-0, 3 Pts.)
Date: Saturday, April 16
Time: 7:30 PM CT
Venue: World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton MO.
PREVIEW: Saint Louis FC Home Opener
LAST TIME OUT: Playing its fourth road game to start the season, Saint Louis FC allowed a goal in the 9th minute to fall behind the Oklahoma City Energy FC. It wasn’t long after that Vince Cicciarelli scored his third goal of the season by deflecting a loose ball off his chest. Cicciarelli earned USL Team of the Week honors for the second week in a row.
Patrick Doody then scored on a free kick in the 35th minute, giving Saint Louis a 2-1 lead heading into halftime. Oklahoma City tied the match in the 60th after a cracker from FC Dallas loanee, Coy Craft. Saint Louis earned a hard-fought point on the road
This was the first out of four meetings between the two sides. The teams will meet again in St. Louis on Saturday, July 30th
THE OPPONENT: The Tulsa Roughnecks entered the league in 2015 with STLFC and are quickly becoming a regional rival. After playing only once last season, with Saint Louis FC winning 2-0, the two teams will face off four times in 2016.
The Roughnecks are coached by David Irving, an English footballer that played for Workington, Everton, The Shamrock Rovers, The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Tulsa Roughnecks, and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Tulsa Roughnecks have started their season 1-2-0 with the lone win coming against Rio Grande Valley Toros in their season opener. Tulsa has lost their last two games against the Swope Park Rangers and Real Salt Lake Monarchs.
The Tulsa Roughnecks finished in seventh place in the Western Conference last season, missing the playoffs by three points. They finished with a record of 11 wins, six draws, and 11 losses. They were led by Forward Sammy Ochoa, who scored nine goals and tallied three assists last season and finished with a team high 21 points.
HOME SWEET HOME: After a difficult offseason for Worldwide Technology Soccer Park highlighted by record breaking flooding of the Meramec River, the park has been entirely restored. After many improvements to the fields as well as the park amenities, Worldwide Technology Soccer Park is more than ready to host the 2016 home opener for Saint Louis FC.
“After a challenging off-season that included the worst flood in recorded history, we are excited to open the doors to a sold-out crowd and get back to business.” said Executive Director Patrick Barry.
INJURY REPORT:
Ryan Thompson – lower body
Jermie Lynch – lower body
Chad Vandegriffe – lower body
