TULSA – Tulsa Athletic defeated Azteca FC, 3-0 in the first round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday (March 23) at Case Soccer Stadium to set up the first-ever meeting between Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa.
The second round US Open Cup match is scheduled for April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at ONEOK Field in the first-ever Tulsa Derby.
Tulsa Athletic scored midway through the first half and added two second half goals to pull away to the 3-0 first round win, their first US Open Cup victory in club history.
Aaron Ugbah, who was named the Man of the Match, scored the opening tally in the 25th minute to put the home side up 1-0. Matthew Rogers set up the goal with the assist.
The green and yellow controlled possession in the first 45 minutes and held the 1-0 advantage going into halftime.
In the second half, Tulsa Athletic added two more goals to earn the 3-0 victory and advance to the second round.
After a foul in the box by Azteca FC, the green and yellow were awarded a penalty. Captain Joe Garcia stepped up to the spot and scored for the 2-0 edge in the 72nd minute.
It took Tulsa Athletic only a few more minutes to add to their final tally as Ruben Torres scored his first goal in the green and yellow in the 75th minute with Joe Ruiz earning the assist for the 3-0 score.
For the final 11 minutes, Azteca FC played down a man after Cesar Meza earned a red card.
Tulsa Athletic dominated statistically in the contest, holding a 18-6 advantage in shots and 6-3 edge in shots on target. The green and yellow totaled eight corner kicks with Azteca FC earning only one.
Bryson Reed earned the shutout victory in goal, making three saves.
Tulsa Athletic travel to FC Tulsa on Tuesday, April 5 for a 7:30 p.m. match at ONEOK Field in the US Open Cup Second Round.
