TULSA – Tulsa Athletic pulled out to a 4-1 victory over Peak XI FC to capture the 2025 Central Regional Championship on Saturday (July 19) at Athletic Community Field at Hicks Park.
With the win, Tulsa Athletic moves on to The League for Clubs National Semifinals set for Thursday, July 24 at FC Dallas’s facility in Frisco, Texas. The semifinals contests will take place at 6 or 8:30 p.m. with the opponent yet to be determined.
The green and yellow cruised to a 4-0 advantage en route to the 4-1 victory over the visitors from Colorado.
Erick Diaz put the home side up 1-0 early with a goal in the fifth minute. Diaz hit a free kick from the right side that curled into the goal for the early edge.
Joe Ruiz increased the Tulsa Athletic lead to 2-0 in the 28th minute when he headed in a ball from Diaz. The Ruiz header hit the crossbar and just crossed the line with Diaz earning the assist.
Ruben Torres scored in the 45th minute to put the green and yellow up 3-0. Torres took a free kick from about 20 yards away and his shot went around the wall to the right and found the right corner for the 3-0 margin.
Tulsa Athletic held a 3-0 edge at halftime.
Rafa Zaldivar upped the Tulsa Athletic advantage to 4-0 in the 55th minute with his goal early in the second half. Zaldivar chipped the goalkeeper after a ball from Aiden Ussery.
Peak XI FC scored in the 58th minute for a 4-1 score. The goal was the first goal at Hicks Park since the first home game of the season, more than 400 minutes of action.
Bryson Reed earned the win in goal, allowing the one goal in 90 minutes.
The Central Region Championship is the fourth all-time regional championship for Tulsa Athletic. The green and yellow won the South Region in the NPSL in 2021 and 2022 and won the Midwest Region in 2023. The semifinal appearance will be the fourth in club history.
Tulsa Athletic will play in The League for Club semifinals set for Thursday, July 24 in Frisco Texas at FC Dallas’s facility. Tulsa Athletic is one of three regional champions so far with Napa Valley 1839 FC and Met Oval Academy also earning spots to the semifinals. The final semifinal spot will be decided on Sunday, July 20 when Union 10 FC hosts FC Dallas U23s in the South Region Championship.
For more information on Tulsa Athletic, go to tulsaathletic.com.
