TULSA, OK (April 2, 2022) – New York Red Bulls II (1-4-0, 3 points) fell to FC Tulsa (3-2-0, 9 points) 3-2 on Saturday, April 2, at ONEOK Field.
New York went down to 10 men in the second minute, but responded with the opening goal of the match 15 minutes later. Defender O’Vonte Mullings placed a ball in front of forward Jeremy Rafanello who sent in a strike from outside the box.
Tulsa scored twice in less than 10 minutes to take the lead. Forward J.J. Williams got behind the New York back line and scored his first goal of the season in the 20th minute. Five minutes later, defender Gabi Torres found the back of the net after receiving a ball from midfielder Lebo Moloto.
The home side scored in the opening minute of the second half on a header from Williams to increase their advantage to 3-1. New York cut the deficit in half in the 70th minute, as midfielder John Murphy weaved through the Tulsa defense and placed a ball towards the near corner of the net.
Goalkeepers Giannis Nikopolidis and Derrek Chan, along with defender Daniel De Leon, all made their professional debuts in the match. Midfielder Michael Knapp made his season debut, coming on in the 72nd minute.
Chan tallied seven saves in the contest, one behind AJ Marcucci for the 2022 season-high.
The goal for Rafanello marked the ninth of his USL Championship career. Mullings recorded his first professional assist on the strike. Murphy’s goal was the first in his professional career.
Following the match, New York will return home to face Rio Grande Valley FC for the first time on Friday, April 15. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, with coverage available on ESPN+.
