FC Tulsa left with “mixed emotions” after a “frustrating” draw

If FC Tulsa misses the USL Championship playoffs, a look back at its two games against West-leading New Mexico United will be a reminder of what the club could have accomplished this season.

Both of FC Tulsa's meetings with New Mexico ended in draws, most recently 1-1 on Saturday evening at ONEOK Field.

In most situations, getting a point against a conference leader would be a positive development, but the home team absolutely had to win to get three points.

With two regular season games remaining, FC Tulsa (8-13-11, 35 points) is four points behind Orange County for the final playoff spot and OC has one game in hand. As a result, FC Tulsa could be eliminated before hosting Hartford Athletic next Saturday, while OC plays on Wednesday.

“The harsh reality is kind of the culmination of how I think our season is going,” FC Tulsa veteran defender Bradley Bourgeois said. “We seem to find ourselves in a hole we probably shouldn't be in, and then we have to fight, dig, claw and claw our way out of the hole. Many thanks to the boys for getting the goal back and making an advance.” …

“It’s unfortunate not to score that late goal and we haven’t managed to find that late winner all year.”

In their first meeting, New Mexico rallied from a 3-1 deficit to draw 3-3 on August 14th. This time it was FC Tulsa that came back when Aaron Bibout scored a one-timer from 12 yards out, assisted by Harvey St. Clair in the 69th minute. This ended FC Tulsa's goalless streak after 332 minutes. Bibout scored FC Tulsa's last three goals and four of the team's six goals in the ten games he has played since his loan from MLS's LA Galaxy.

“He has a great future ahead of him,” said FC Tulsa coach Mario Sanchez. “I think he will be a player we talk about. 'That kid played in Tulsa.' I can't say enough about what he does in the box.

After an uneventful first half. New Mexico (18-10-4, 58 points) opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a goal from Jacobo Reyes, going solo after a head pass from Daniel Bruce to beat goalkeeper Johan Penaranda.

The game was delayed for 25 minutes at the start of stoppage time because New Mexico defender Arturo Astorga sustained a leg injury that was carried off the pitch.

When play resumed, FC Tulsa had several chances to score. Bibout shot high from 12 meters and Diogo Pacheco missed the goal with a header. And then, in a sign of the desperation of Tulsa's playoff hopes, Penaranda left his net and joined the offensive attack. During an intense final possession, after two teammates' shots were blocked, Penaranda shot high from 15 yards as time expired.

“We had three really good insights,” Sanchez said. “I can’t blame the boys because they left it on the field.”

The result left Sanchez with “mixed emotions.”

Sanchez said: “We really needed three points and the flip side is the boys showed great character. The second half was great. We could have scored a few goals. Unfortunately, we were like that all season long.

“It’s really strange when you look at the table and everyone in the top half we played really well against.”

Bourgeois added: “It's just frustrating because even the East and West conference leaders, the top four in the league, have proven that we can not only compete with the best, but we can certainly beat them. And that, in my opinion, is the most frustrating part that we're going to have to deal with all year.

“We definitely had our chances that we didn't take advantage of and no matter who it was, we definitely fought to be able to beat them. So yeah, it's positive to look at, but I think you can only use so many positives when you know the results aren't there.

FC TULSA 1, NEW MEXICO UNITED 1

Goals: NM, Reyes 6 (Bruce) 55'; Tulsa, Bibout 4 (St. Clair) 69'. Shots: NM 15, Tulsa 10. Saves: NM, Tambakis 1; Tulsa, Penaranda 3. Fouls: NM 12, Tulsa 12. Yellow cards: NM (2), Hernandez, Seymore; Tulsa (1), St. Clair.