skip navigation

Roughnecks Cruise Past Phoenix

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 07/22/17, 11:04PM EDT

Share

Svantesson scores his eighth as Tulsa wins in front of 5,647 at ONEOK


Photo courtesy Lori Scholl/Tulsa Roughnecks FC

TULSA, Okla. –  The prolific combination of Juan Pablo Caffa and Ian Svantesson was at it again for Tulsa on Saturday as Roughnecks FC picked up a 2-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC at ONEOK Field Saturday. Svantesson headed home a corner off the foot of Caffa in the 15th minute for the decisive tally. Jacori Hayes pounced on a ball in the box and slid home his first professional goal just before halftime and newcomer Christian Thierjung scored off the bench to add insurance and help Tulsa improve to 6-3-0 at home and 8-8-1 overall. Phoenix was held scoreless for just the second time in its last nine games and will welcome a return home to friendly confines next week after dropping to 6-6-5, a mark that includes a 1-4-3 record on the road.

Scoring:
15’ – TUL – Ian Svantesson (Juan Pablo Caffa)
44’ – TUL – Jacori Hayes
85’ – TUL – Christian Thierjung

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Two of the biggest offseason additions in the league, Svantesson and Caffa have reshaped the Tulsa attack following the departure of 2016 USL Golden Boot contender Sammy Ochoa who now plies his trade for Sacramento Republic FC. The tally was the eighth of the year for Svantesson, three of which have now come off assists from Caffa. The latter has also recorded five goals of his own and now sits with a team-best five assists. Their efforts kickstarted a performance in which Tulsa reached the three-goal plateau for the fourth time in its last six home outings – a stretch that has featured five victories.
     
  • 2. Hayes and Thierjung, a PDL alum who only joined the side earlier in the week, each opened their professional accounts to become the eighth and ninth different players to score for Roughnecks FC this year. Through 17 matches, Tulsa has now totaled 26 goals scored; surpassing last season’s final tally of 25. When the attack is clicking, this team is as dangerous as any in the league. In eight games in which the team has scored two or more goals, Tulsa owns a 6-1-1 record that includes a 2-0 victory against Western Conference frontrunners Real Monarchs SLC.
     
  • 3. Saturday’s match was a pivotal one for both sides who began the day even on points with Roughnecks FC just above the playoff line in eighth and Phoenix looking up from the ninth spot. The result creates some separation for Tulsa who jumps firmly into a spot in the fight for fourth place while Rising FC saw its six match unbeaten run come to an end. As the team’s struggles away from the desert continue, the significance of a showdown with San Antonio FC in Phoenix next week is magnified by the fact that the squad will head out on the read for three straight to begin August.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Juan Pablo Caffa, Tulsa Roughnecks FC – The standout midfielder once again created the difference-making opportunity with his precise delivery and thrived at the center of the attack throughout  

Upcoming Games:
Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Real Monarchs SLC – July 31, 9 p.m. ET, Rio Tinto Stadium
Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Antonio FC – July 29, 11 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos