TULSA – Tulsa Athletic used a first-half goal to earn a 1-0 victory over Brazos Valley Cavalry (Texas) FC in the First Round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday (March 22) at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park.
With the win, Tulsa Athletic’s second in the US Open Cup, the green and yellow play host to FC Tulsa on April 5 at 7 p.m. at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park. Tickets for the match will go on sale Friday for Tulsa Athletic season ticket holders. Tickets for the general public will be available on Monday.
“It feels good to get that first win,” Head coach Jason Rogers said. “I’ll take the win, and let’s get ready for the next round.”
Newcomer Stefan Cvetanovic scored the game-winning goal in the 31st minute when Tulsa Athletic got a takeaway in the back, and Cvetanovic hit a strike to the near post, putting the host team up 1-0 in the first half.
“He’s just a brillant player,” Rogers said of Cvetanovic. “We are very happy to have him.”
After a slow start, Tulsa Athletic started to take control in the final third of the first half. The green and yellow had a chance to go up in the 28th minute, but Joe Garcia’s penalty was saved by BV Cavalry’s Victor Villarreal.
Only moments after the first goal, Titus Grant had an opportunity in the 32nd minute, but his pass across was intercepted by Villarreal to keep the margin at 1-0.
Tulsa Athletic earned their second penalty of the match in the 63rd minute after a handball in the box. However, Jordan Watson’s attempt went high to make the green and yellow 0-2 on penalties in the match.
Brazos finished the match with only 10 men as the visitors were given a red card in the 89th minute. In the final six minutes of action, the two teams combined for four yellow cards and the red card.
Bryson Reed earned the shutout win in goal, totaling five saves in 90 minutes.
“Bryson is special,” Rogers said. “He’s the best goalkeeper in Tulsa. I can tell you that.”
The backline of Chris Taylor, who was named the Man of the March, Alejandro Chavez and Javier Reyes helped keep the pressure off Reed in the back.
“Javo and Ale on the right and left did a wonderful job 1v1 tonight,” Taylor said. “They proved their value in many opportunities.”
The win was the second ever for Tulsa Athletic in the US Open Cup. The green and yellow picked up their first win in the Open Cup a season ago with a 3-0 victory over Azteca (Colo.) FC in Tulsa.
Tulsa Athletic welcomes FC Tulsa to Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the second-ever Tulsa Derby. Tickets will be available online with priority tickets available to our season ticket holders. A live video stream will also be available.
For more information on Tulsa Athletic, go to www.tulsaathletic.com.
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