BENTON, Ark. – Tulsa Athletic begins the 2023 NPSL season on Saturda at Arkansas Wolves. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Benton, Arkansas at the Benton Athletic Complex. The official watch party is at Heirloom Rustic Ales at 2113 E. Admiral Blvd.
The green and yellow open the NPSL season after a magical run in the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Tulsa Athletic defeated Brazos Valley, 1-0, at Hicks Park in the first round of the tournament. In the second round of the US Open Cup, the green and yellow defeated city rival FC Tulsa, 1-0, at Hicks Park to setup a matchup with MLS side Sporting KC. SKC won the third round match at Children’s Mercy Park, but Tulsa Athletic advanced the furthest of any of the amateur clubs in the US Open Cup for 2023.
Tulsa Athletic returns a strong core of players from the 2022 NPSL season when the green and yellow won the Heartland Conference and South Region, advancing to the NPSL Semifinals. Tulsa Athletic has won back-to-back South Region Championships and three-straight Heartland Conference Championship.
For the 2023 season, Tulsa Athletic competes in the Heartland Conference, however, the conference has moved to the Midwest Region. The 2023 Heartland Conference members include Tulsa Athletic, Reign FK (Bartlesville, Okla.), OKC 1889 FC (Oklahoma City), Demize NPSL (Springfield, Mo.), Arkansas Wolves (Benton, Ark.) and newcomer Kansas City Sol (Kansas City).
