The weekend’s action in the Eastern Conference produced notable results on all three days of the weekend’s schedule. Here’s a look at three key talking points coming out of Week 10.

TULSA MAXIMIZES CHANCES, SHOWS GRIT IN BIG ROAD WIN

FC Tulsa went into Friday night’s contest with Rio Grande Valley FC undefeated in five prior visits to H-E-B Park in its history but knew that a far different task awaited it with the new-look Toros having made their home venue one of the tougher to visit so far this season. Thanks to some precise finishing by Rodrigo da Costa and a staunch defensive effort, however, the visitors maintained their impressive record in South Texas in a 2-1 victory that moved the side back above .500 for the season once again.

What’s more, the side did so while dictating its goals for Head Coach Michael Nsien in the build-up to the contest.

“I had the players actually set the match objectives,” said Nsien on Friday night. “I did the presentation for the match, and I asked the players to actually give the match objectives today. Very vocal, the guys were into it. They were clear with what they wanted to accomplish today. They didn’t get the clean sheet that they wanted, but in front of the goal they were putting their bodies on the line and protecting the ‘keeper and doing everything they were supposed to.”

In the middle of it was Da Costa, who produced a pair of fine finishes to give the visitors the goals they needed. Tulsa produced only three shots overall on the night, but the Brazilian’s accuracy made them count in a big way. Now the side can look forward to what is looking like a massive Black Gold Derby on Friday night with positive momentum behind it.

“It’s huge for us getting these three points away, and now we have the whole week to think about OKC,” said Da Costa. “It’s always a good game, and I cannot wait.”

INDY’S ATTACK CLICKS TO BEGIN TURNAROUND

Indy Eleven may have been disappointed to walk away from a game in which it scored three times with only a point to show for it on Saturday night, but after a pulsating Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest that ended in a 3-3 draw against Louisville City FC before almost 11,000 fans at Lynn Family Stadium a major plus for the side was the continued re-emergence of its attack, which has now recorded five goals over the past two games.

Neveal Hackshaw’s goal and assist plus a first goal for the Boys in Blue by Cammy Smith and a classy finish by Manuel Arteaga showed what Indy can be capable of in the attacking third after performances prior to the past two games that lacked real invention. For interim Head Coach Max Rogers, providing new messaging for the players that creates a better structure while allowing them to express themselves has been key to the start of the club’s turnaround.

“When you're attacking, you need structure, you need an idea,” said Rogers. “With that, the players actually become more free because they know the kind of parameters they are working in, and the players have always been quality and have that attacking quality. Again, it's just getting that belief across to them and giving them a structure that then gives them that creativity.”

Indy faces another challenge next Saturday night as it returns home to face Central Division leader Birmingham Legion FC at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, but should enter with renewed confidence of the attacking quality within its squad.

GLASS HALF FULL FOR HARTFORD DESPITE DEFEAT

How you look at Hartford Athletic’s 1-0 defeat on Saturday night to the Atlantic Division leading Tampa Bay Rowdies at Dillon Stadium could come down to whether you’re a glass half-full or glass half-empty sort of person. From this perspective, the Athletic should come away with a lesson that against the top clubs in the USL Championship opportunities can’t be squandered, but that the side is certainly capable of competing strongly with the teams it’s going to be facing not only for a place in the USL Championship Playoffs, but that it will face should it claim the top-four finish it is currently on course for.

“You take the positives, you have to take the positives,” said Hartford Head Coach Harry Watling. “And I think it was, you know, that they were relieved, so I made sure the players knew that the opposition were relieved. So, it was an important game for them, so they respect us, which is, you know, a massive compliment. And we use that as fuel for the next game, it's really important [to do that], but lots of positives to take out of the game.”

Hartford held a small edge in the Expected Goals matchup against the Rowdies and put the visitors on their heels at times with Tampa Bay defender Aaron Guillen making a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. in the first half. Obregon’s missed penalty kick will certainly haunt the Honduran U-23 international for a moment, but the return fixture between the Athletic and the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in two weeks should be a must-see.

ENERGY FC PULLING THROUGH AFTER THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN

The different states of freshness within the Atlanta United 2 and OKC Energy FC squads were evident as the sides met on Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium as the visiting Energy FC squad – which had played twice since Atlanta’s most recent outing on June 16 – was put on its heels early against a fluid Atlanta attack that had its fair share of chances to break the deadlock. But the manner in which Energy FC closed out the game, rallying for a 2-1 victory for its third consecutive win to move into the playoff conversation in the Central Division exemplified the turnaround the side has experienced under interim Head Coach Leigh Veidman in the past 10 days.

“I think you could see early in the game we were quite tired from that,” said Veidman. “Especially coming here against a team who you know want to play. They want to move the ball quickly, they want to break you down short, long, they want to make you run, it took a lot for my guys to dig deep and find a way back into the game, which they did. It’s huge, huge character from the group, and they fully deserved the win.”

What also proved key was the energy the side received from its attacking substitutions, with Tucker Stephenson recording his first goal of the season off the bench and Jaime Chavez providing a threat alongside Frank Lopez that helped the visitors turn the game around after conceding early in the second half.

“The subs helped us immensely today,” said Veidman. “Those guys coming off the bench to give us some energy to get through the game and obviously contributing to the goal in Tucker and Jaime playing a role in that too, it was massive.”

With a few days to recuperate before playing host to Black Gold Derby rival FC Tulsa on Friday night at Taft Stadium, Energy FC is starting to see its efforts rewarded in the points column.

HOUNDS HANDLE RED BULLS II CHALLENGE, CONTINUE TO BUILD 

After three games against more experienced opposition, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC faced a different task on Friday night against the energy brought game-in and game-out by the New York Red Bulls II. Thanks to goals by Todd Wharton and Albert Dikwa, the hosts came away with their first home win of the season at Highmark Stadium with a 2-1 result that provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd on hand and those watching the game elsewhere.

For Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley, the more measured approach his side took to the second half while looking to add to its lead was key, even as the Red Bulls II threatened to find an equalizer while outshooting their hosts 16-11 overall and 5-4 in shots on goal.

“I think we handled the second half better, but it’s a credit to New York, even playing better in the second half, we got some chances but couldn’t get the third goal,” said Lilley. “They had moments where they were dangerous. It was two teams really committed tonight. It was physical. It was end-to-end. I’m sure it was a fun game to watch, but I would’ve liked us to take some of the anxiety out of it.”

Pittsburgh has now claimed three wins in a row and is undefeated in its last four outings to move into second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Tampa Bay Rowdies. After some early hiccups, especially at home, the Hounds are now looking like the challenger most expected them to be in preseason.

“It’s always good to get that first one,” said Wharton, whose goal was his first for the Hounds after his offseason arrival. “That was our 10th game, so I’ve been pushing to impact the game more with goals or assists, so it’s nice to finally get one. More importantly, obviously, is that we won the game, so any time you can help do that directly, it’s a good feeling.”