Tulsa Athletic gets another crack at local professional side FC Tulsa as the hosts defeated USL League Two side Brazos Valley Cavalry (Texas) FC, 1-0, in the First Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night at Hicks Park.
Despite missing two penalties, Tulsa Athletic took a 1-0 advantage in the 31st minute of action when Tulsa newcomer Stefan Cvetanovic took the ball away from a Brazo defender. Cvetanovic hit a strike to the near post and put the green and yellow up 1-0 in the first half.
“He’s just a brilliant player,” Tulsa Athletic head coach Jason Rogers said of Cvetanovic, who was a first-team NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Wesleyan last season. “He can score unbelievable goals so we are very happy to have him.”
It only took one. Here’s a clip of Stefan Cvetanovc’s goal in the 1-0 victory in the First Round of the US Open Cup – https://t.co/yjOYY6tTgU
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023
With the win, Tulsa Athletic’s second straight in the first round after defeating Azteca (Colo.) FC, 3-0, last year in Tulsa, the green and yellow play host to FC Tulsa on April 5 at 7 p.m. at Hicks Park. The Tulsa Derby is a rematch from last year’s Second Round match where FC Tulsa defeated Tulsa Athletic 2-1 at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.
“It feels good to get that first win,” Rogers said. “I’ll take the win, and let’s get ready for the next round.”
Brazos Valley Cavalry, who won the Lone Star Division of USL League Two last year, played without any substitutes as the Texas side traveled only 11 players. And Brazos played the final few minutes with only 10 men after a second yellow card was issued to Kyle Davis.
Toby Moore caught up with Head Coach Jason Rogers after his first win in the green and yellow. Hear what he had to say in this postgame interview. https://t.co/larxCmDv5s
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023
Tulsa earned their first penalty after midfielder Joe Garcia was taken down in the box in the 28th minute. Garcia stepped up to take the penalty, but Brazos goalkeeper Victor Villarreal made a kick save to keep the match scoreless.
The second penalty opportunity for Tulsa came in the 63rd minute after a handball. Tulsa’s Jordan Watson’s strike went high and over the goal as the green and yellow went 0-2 from the spot in the match.
Chris Taylor was named our Man of the Match last night after the 1-0 win. Here’s his postgame interview with TATV – https://t.co/7Rk3wyoDf0#TTID
— Tulsa Athletic (@TTownSoccer) March 23, 2023
Tulsa’s 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.”
Tulsa’s back three defense of Chris Taylor, 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 1-v-1 tonight,” Taylor said. “They proved their value in many opportunities”
Villareal from Bravos Valley finished with four saves in 90 minutes.