The Royals ended their inaugural season in round 3 of the US Open Cup qualifiers on Saturday, November 16th, in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Tulsa Athletic, the reinging 2023 NPSL champions, showed their class against the Royals throughout the 90 minutes, utilizing crisp and sharp passing movements, and strategic overloads to grind down Woodland.
Woodland entered the match with a thin roster already--they were down defender Tate Lancaster, holding midfielder Jésus Galvan, attacking midfielder Jake Hilpursthauser, and several others from the Select League champonship side who were unable to make the trip.
"In sports there is always a chance to steal a win, and we knew that was going to have to be our road to victory. Tulsa is a quality side. They are run well from Sonny (Dalessandro) at the top, to the last man on the team sheet," owner Ross Harris said.
The Royals were on the defensive from the opening kick. Tulsa tried to make inroads through the Royals defense which debuted new centre-back Joe Keeven. The Royals held their own for the opening third of the half. Gage Pemberton put in a key challenge in the box to deflect a cross out for a corner kick. Spencer Bone had an opportunity to drive at the Tulsa defense early, but was let down by his touch, and Tulsa was able to claim it.
After 13 minutes, Tulsa was able to break the deadlock. After conceding a free kick on the Woodland right side of the penalty box, the ball was crossed near the back post. Greg Fiorentino tried to head it clear, and a miscommunication on defense led to a wide open shot for Tulsa to volley home, courtesy of Ruben Torres.
Tulsa continued to lay seige to the Royals goal, but put a bevy of chances wide of the frame, or were denied by Royals keeper Luke Heaton, who made some remarkable saves all night. Woodland tried to claw their way back in, and had a good spell of possession before Fiorentino had his cross carried by the strong winds into the hands of the Tulsa keeper. Chandler Givler managed to latch onto a turnover in the Tulsa midfield, and hooked a ball back into the penalty box, but just out of reach of the on-rushing Brennan Williams.
Tulsa were not to be denied for long, and the Woodland resistance was broken again when Ruben Torres dribbled through from the left, and Jacob Zammaron was able to slot home cooly into the bottom corner in the 36th minute.
Tulsa nearly increased their lead yet again after a smart slide-rule pass through the Royals penalty box. Heaton managed to get a touch to it, and pop it into the air, only to be cleared off the line by Joe Keeven acrobatically. Shortly following that, after some good teamwork through the midfield, Givler had a great lay off to Brennan Williams who fired a shot just over the top of the cross bar.
The Royals were desperate to make it to halftime without conceding a third, but they would not get what they wanted. A long diagonal ball was controlled well by Ogbah on the Tulsa right, crossed low across the penalty box, and finished by Jacob Zammaron yet again. 3-0, and a devastating goal to give up with 10 seconds to go in the half.
Halftime
Coach Harris tried to shake up the team by bringing on Andres Chavira in place of Michael Okiring. The Royals came out of the 2nd half with some good work rate and endeavor, and managed to create a quality chance after Brett Jackson collected a loose ball in midfield, ran at the Tulsa defense, but just put his shot narrowly wide of the goal.
That would be the last of Jackson's time in this tie, as he suffered a slight hamstring injury, and had to be withdrawn in place of Jordan Flores.
Tulsa had a massive chance deflected wide by Heaton. Tulsa winger Damani Harris managed to spring the offsides trap, and was clean through on goal. Corner to Tulsa. The ensuing corner was volleyed into the net by Jacob Zammaron to complete his hat trick. 4-0.
The match continued to follow in this same vein as Woodland were shown a good example of a team that they are trying to emulate in their build and direction. It wasn't long until goal #5 came on through the efforts Luis Flores.
Woodland would make their final substitutions in the 72nd minute with Josh Sherfy and Andersson Obando stepping onto the field. Woodland would get their best opportunity of the night when a long free kick was crossed into the box, and deflected into the path of Josh Sherfy who worked himself into space on the back post. He had the goal available to him, but managed to scuff his shot, and into the Tulsa keeper's grateful hands.
Tulsa would add their 6th in the 83rd minute through Joe Ruiz. A well played through ball that was timed to perfection, and slotted home after rounding the keeper. Diallo would add a 7th in the 91st minute with a magnificent strike that smashed in off the crossbar and into the goal. An 8th would be added just a minute later through Ruben Carrasco with the final kick of the match.
8-0
"We knew this would be a barometer of where we're at. We learned a good lesson today, and made some mistakes that, Lord willing, we will not waste," coach Harris said after the game. "We saw a well run organization play some good football tonight. We hope for this to be the first of many battles."
This concludes the opening season for Woodland FC. They end with the following accomplishments:
Missed the final 8 of Copa Modelo on goal differential
Select League Champions
Round 3 of US Open Cup qualifiers
An impressive year for a club that was only in their 14th month of existence. Woodland will take the rest of the year off to rest, and recover from a lengthy season. Look forward to a stronger 2025 squad, and for the Royals to retain their league title.
You can watch the match replay here on the Tulsa Athletic broadcast, and enjoy the commentary of David Saunders.
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