TULSA, Okla. — Entrenched in a battle to secure a Western Conference playoff spot, the first in club history, Lexington SC matches up with the first-place side in the West on Saturday night, FC Tulsa.
Lexington’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to nine, meaning a combination of the club earning nine points or ninth-place Orange County SC dropping nine points will secure a postseason berth.
Lexington could clinch as early as next weekend — at The Stables in front of the home crowd.
Last time out, LSC flew back from Albuquerque empty-handed. The evening consisted of over three hours of lightning delays, an LSC red card and then the club playing its best soccer of the evening after going down to 10 men.
However, the overall run of form for Head Coach Terry Boss’ side remains tip-top.
LSC has posted an 8W-3L-3D record over its last 14 matches and has scored at least one goal in 14 of its last 16.
The group has never let a strong opponent hold it back, indicated by LSC picking up 27 of its 35 points this season against clubs currently in playoff position — a stat it will look to add to Saturday night.
Marcus Epps, Blaine Ferri and Milo Yosef were all teammates in Tulsa in 2023, and LSC’s Eliot Goldthorp is currently on loan with the Scissortails.
Lexington and Tulsa matched up for the first time in either club’s history on May 18. Tulsa won the contest, 2-0. Since that match, LSC has gone 8W-4L-4D.
Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 8 p.m. ET.
SCOUTING TULSA
FC Tulsa is on track to have its best season in club history under first-year head coach Luke Spencer. One more point earned will give Tulsa its highest single-season point total.
Tulsa sits atop the Western Conference with a 13W-5L-8D record but has sputtered a bit of late. After starting 12W-3L-6D, it has posted a 1W-2L-1D record in its last five outings.
At home, Tulsa is 7W-2L-3D in USL Championship play this season with a +7 goal differential.
Taylor Calheira leads the side with 12 goals, tied for the fifth-most in the league. Owen Damm and Goldthorp are tied for the club lead with four assists apiece while Johan Peñaranda has maintained a 66% save percentage with six clean sheets.
Peñaranda did not appear in Tulsa’s last match vs. Indy Eleven.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Defender Kieran Sargeant’s five assists are tied for the sixth-most in the Western Conference. He is also ranked in the top 10 in chances created in the West with 32.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.