TULSA, Okla. – JJ Williams scored twice as FC Tulsa took a 3-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II in a back-and-forth contest that saw the Red Bulls II play down a man for almost the full game at ONEOK Field on Saturday night.

New York was reduced to 10 men within the opening two minutes as goalkeeper Giannis Nikopolidis was sent off after bringing down Williams just outside the penalty area to deny a goalscoring opportunity. Despite that, the Red Bulls II took the lead as Jeremy Rafanello thundered home a shot from 25 yards into the top-right corner of the net in the 17th minute. It took only three minutes for the hosts to answer, though, as Williams once again got in behind New York’s back line and this time slotted home his finish into the right side of the net.

The hosts then took the lead in the 25th minute when Gabriel Torres broke forward on the left side and onto a pass by Lebo Moloto before shooting home at the near post for a finish that earned Moloto his 30th regular-season assist in the Championship for his career. Rodrigo da Costa then went close to adding another seven minutes before halftime only for his effort from 15 yards to be punched wide of the left post by substitute goalkeeper Derrek Chan, but less than 30 seconds into the second half Williams notched his second as he headed home a cross by El Salvador international Joaquin Rivas to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

The Red Bulls II pulled their way back within a goal with 20 minutes to go as John Murphy had a shot from the top of the area take a deflection off a defender that sent it past Tulsa goalkeeper Sean Lewis and into the left side of the net. Chan then produced another big save eight minutes later for the visitors to deny Brian Brown as he laced a half-volley from 20 yards toward the top-right corner of the net, and Rafanello had a chance to level with six minutes to go but was unable to find a way past Lewis from a narrow angle on the right.   

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

JJ Williams, FC Tulsa – Williams scored a pair of fine goals, had eight shots and four shots on target overall and completed 18 of 28 passes overall in a strong attacking display.

Scoring Summary
NY – Jeremy Rafanello (O’Vante Mullings) 17’
TUL – JJ Williams 20’
TUL – Gabriel Torres (Lebo Moloto) 25’
TUL – JJ Williams (Joaquin Rivas) 46’
NY – John Murphy 70’

Full Box Score