So much for preseason predictions.

At the start of this year, we thought FC Tulsa would improve, but not quite by enough to reach the USL Championship Playoffs.

Now, the Scissortails look like the favorite to represent the Western Conference in the Championship Final on Saturday, Nov. 22 after a remarkable season that has seen the club take big steps forward in every way.

The club set season-best marks wherever you look. From most wins (16) and points (57) to the most points gained from losing positions (21) to fewest losses in a full season (5), Head Coach Luke Spencer’s side grew formidably month after month to where it left its rivals in the dust, taking the No. 1 seed in the West by a nine-point margin.

“You play the whole season to show you’re consistent, you can consistently win,” said Spencer after his side’s regular-season ending 3-0 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. “Now it’s a question of what we do with the No. 1 seed and how we take advantage of the home-field advantage.”

From the numbers Tulsa has put up at ONEOK Field since the start of June, it’s going to be a task for anyone to knock them off. The Scissortails have gone 8-0-2 at home since then, tying the Charleston Battery for a league-high 25 goals while conceding only 10 times.

What’s more, the side has been impressive putting games away. From sitting last in the league in 2024 with only two goals in the final 15 minutes of games, Tulsa ranked first in that category this year with 16 goals coming in the 76th minute or later.

With the side making its first postseason trip since 2021 – and hosting a playoff game for the first time – that homefield advantage could prove crucial as Tulsa looks to make its mark in November.

“I’m super excited,” said leading scorer Taylor Calheira. “ONEOK Field, I think it’s become a fortress, and the fans have been amazing. We’ve been winning games, so hopefully everyone can come out like they have heading into the playoffs.”

Here are this week’s rankings.