On Saturday, by 4 p.m., the sun was still shining over downtown Tulsa, and a cold breeze was making us remember that winter is coming, but the energy around ONEOK Field was just heating up for an eventful night.
Outside the stadium, members of United 83 – FC Tulsa’s fan club – started their pregame tailgate. Smoke from hot grills mixed with the sounds of laughter, fans shared stories, raised their drinks. I also got invited to many fan gatherings, to watch soccer at bars around the city, tips that I needed since I am the “new kid in town.”
By 5:30 p.m., the gates opened, and some fans rushed into the stadium under a glowing Oklahoma sunset. A warm orange sky stretched above the downtown skyline as thousands entered ONEOK Field, playoff towels in hand which wrote “BELIEVE” — a rallying cry for every big moment ahead.
(Photo by Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
Inside, anticipation filled the air. Merchandise booths were crowded with fans eager to grab limited-edition scarves and postseason jerseys. The scent of the food vendors and cups of beer being poured one after the other gave a sense of a city festival rather than just a game.
When kickoff arrived at 7 p.m., a crowd of 7,917 fans started watching a game that they will probably never forget. FC Tulsa, dressed in sharp black kits, faced Phoenix Rising FC, the 2023 USL Championship title holders and a big opponent of the team.
The opening half was intense and tactical. Midfielders Giordano Colli (#26) and Jamie Webber (#8) controlled the tempo, while forward Taylor Calheira (#9) pressed relentlessly against the Phoenix back line.
(Photo by Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
Colli almost gave Tulsa the lead early in the match with a free kick in the 12th minute that made the Phoenix goalkeeper dive to stop it. A few minutes later, Webber delivered a long pass into the penalty area which Calheira failed to connect with during his run toward the goal. Tulsa did have a few chances to score, but eventually the first half ended without any goals for either team.
FC Tulsa maintained the team’s offensive pressure throughout the second half of the match. Webber delivered a cross to Calheira who attempted to head the ball, but it missed the crossbar by a small margin during the 50th minute. Later, substitute Alex Dalou (#21) nearly scored, but the Phoenix defense blocked his shot. At the other end, FC Tulsa goalkeeper Tyler Deric (#16) made two key saves to keep Tulsa in the game as fans chanted “TUL-SA! TUL-SA!” around the stadium.
After 90 minutes, the score remained goalless. The match went into extra time, and you could feel that some fatigue had set in the crowd.
Then, in the 122nd minute, the breakthrough arrived. Stefan Lukić (#22) received the ball at the edge of the box, turned, and fired a shot into the top-right corner.
(Photo by Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
The stadium erupted. The fans stood up from their seats while they waved their towels as fireworks illuminated the city’s skyline. Lukić ran toward the corner flag while his teammates surrounded him as the crowd of nearly 8,000 fans erupted into joy. FC Tulsa achieved a 1-0 victory which earned the team a spot in the Western Conference Final.
Head coach Luke Spencer praised his team’s resilience after the match.
“Really proud of the guys — it was a hard-fought match with a lot of tired legs out there,” Spencer said. “We found a way to win.”
For Lukić, the moment carried extra meaning.
“To see the stadium filled like this is incredible,” he said. “We’re changing the culture in Tulsa. Feeling that passion from the fans means everything.”
Defender Lamar Batista (#15) echoed his teammate’s sentiment.
“At the start of the season, we talked about making history,” he said. “To see it happen here is special. But we know we’re not done yet.”
FC Tulsa will host New Mexico United on Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at ONEOK Field for the Western Conference Final.
We have been attending every home game on behalf of the TCC Connection since July, but this game will always stay in our hearts.
If the semifinal was any preview, fans can expect another memorable night — one filled with passion, pride, and the spirit of a city rallying behind its team.
(Photo by Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
Editor’s Note: The biggest challenge I faced in my little time as a journalist was staying calm and professional while FC Tulsa scored. I did get super excited shouted from the top of my lungs and sprinted over to the players. I can’t recall the last time I got so much happiness and excitement from something that I didn’t do myself.
(Photo by Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
