TULSA, Okla. – After an impressive turnaround from a difficult 2016 season Tulsa Roughnecks FC has qualified for its first  USL Cup Playoffs campaign. But as far as the Roughnecks have come the side will need to be strong in its first postseason trip as it faces a long road run if it is to make inroads in a highly competitive Western Conference field. Tulsa has proven resilient and has some strong talent in its squad, but will need to raise its level if it's going to make a deep run in the playoffs.

2017 USL Cup Playoffs: Quarterfinal matchup:
No. 2 San Antonio FC vs. No. 7 Tulsa Roughnecks FC – Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field

2017 USL regular season:
Records:
Overall: 14-14-4 (46 points) | Home: 10-6-0 (30 points) | Road: 4-8-4 (16 points)

Goals For: 46 | Goals Against: 46

Leaders:
Goals: 1. Ian Svantesson 11; 2. (tie) Juan Pablo Caffa, Joey Calistri 9; 4. Joaquin Rivas 5

Assists: 1. Juan Pablo Caffa 8; 2. Joey Calistri 6; 3. Modou Jadama 3; 4. (tie) 3 with 2

Saves: 1. Fabian Cerda 86; 2.Bryan Byars 25; 3. Stefan Cleveland 10

Clinched its postseason … Oct. 7, with a 1-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC 2.

Clinched the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference … Oct. 14, following a 4-2 defeat to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Defining moment: After failing to claim the regular-season series in the Black Gold Derby in either of its first two seasons, the Roughnecks finally claimed the coveted wrench at ONEOK Field on August 12. Goals in either half by Joaquin Rivas and Ian Svantesson earned the Roughnecks a 2-1 win against OKC Energy FC to seal the regular-season series between the clubs after Tulsa had claimed a comeback victory by the same score earlier in the season in Oklahoma City. It was also a win which solidified the Roughnecks' place in the top eight in the Western Conference, giving the team the boost of confidence that allowed the side to reach the postseason for the first time, and broke out a major celebration for the Roustabouts on the biggest night in club history so far.

Three keys to a championship run:
1. El Violinista Del Viaducto: Argentinian playmaker Juan Pablo Caffa has been arguably the biggest overseas addition in the USL in 2017 after recording nine goals and a team-leading eight assists to lead the way to a major turnaround for the Roughnecks. The 33-year-old also led the team with 64 shots, and he should continue to be a threat throughout the playoffs to any opposing teams. With his ability to deliver a telling pass in the final third. Caffa will be in the conversation for the league MVP award, after creating 68 scoring chances, the second-highest in the league, and has also been on the mark with some highlight-reel set piece finishes. With 14 years of professional experience in Argentina and Spain, Caffa's experience could also be vital in a potential playoff run for Tulsa.

2. Diversity In Scoring: It’s not easy to stop Tulsa from scoring, choking one area of its attack will just lead to plenty of options through other outlets, with an even split between right and left footed goals with 20 each. Tulsa has also scored five headed goals, all of them coming through Ian Svantesson, who tied for the league-lead with another major aerial threat in FC Cincinnati's Djiby Fall as a result. While Caffa and Svantesson are the obvious threats, the likes of Chicago Fire loanee Joey Calistri and midseason addition Christian Thierjung are also serious threats to an opposing goal.

3. Winning Duels: One of the biggest changes from the 2016 USL season under Head Coach David Vaudreuil has been the Roughnecks' willingness to compete and do the dirty work in midfield to win or maintain possession. The Roughnecks won 51.63 percent of their duels, the fifth-best mark in the league. Tulsa is even more successful in the air, winning 53.1 percent of aerial duels in the regular season. Any team squaring up to the Roughnecks will have to match that level of intensity, and also try to keep the ball moving. With Tulsa managing a 74.75 percent tackle success rate, putting it in 17th place in the league, the battle for opponents could be won on the ground, and not through the air.

QUOTABLE:
“I think it’ll be exciting, but I think we’ve got to that point now where we expect to be in the playoffs, and maybe when we get there we’ll do it in style and we’ll come [into the playoffs] with all the confidence we deserve, where the players know we can compete with everybody.” Tulsa Roughnecks FC Head Coach David Vaudreuil