TULSA, OKLAHOMA - Kansas City extended their winning streak to four matches with a 2-0 victory over Tulsa on Wednesday evening at Hurricane Soccer Stadium. The visitors, entering with an 8-2-4 record, controlled much of the play to earn their third consecutive road win.
Jeremy Francou opened the scoring for Kansas City in the 31st minute, finding the back of the net with a well-placed shot to the lower right corner. Raphael Kistmann doubled the advantage in the 59th minute, with Joackim Betina and Bryce Outman providing the build-up play that led to the decisive goal.
The first half saw Kansas City establish their dominance early, generating multiple scoring opportunities. Bryce Outman tested Tulsa's defense with a blocked shot in the 23rd minute, while Jeremy Francou threatened again with a low drive in the 31st minute before finding his breakthrough. Tulsa's Alex Cunningham had the home side's best chance of the half, sending his attempt high in the 13th minute.
After the break, Kansas City maintained their attacking momentum. The visitors made strategic substitutions throughout the second half, with Timothy Ospina and Raphael Kistmann making way in the 66th minute as they looked to protect their lead. Tulsa's Gyuwon Chong managed two blocked shots during the match, but the Golden Hurricane struggled to break through Kansas City's organized defensive structure.
The statistical breakdown favored Kansas City in several key areas. The visitors recorded 5 shot attempts to Tulsa's 7, with both teams putting 2 shots on target. Kansas City earned 6 corner kicks while Tulsa was awarded 10, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the contest. Tulsa's Ian McIntosh received the match's only yellow card in the 15th minute for unsporting behavior.
Several players stood out individually for both sides. Kansas City's Jeremy Francou proved dangerous throughout his time on the pitch, while Raphael Kistmann's clinical finishing made the difference. For Tulsa, Gyuwon Chong showed persistence in attack despite being unable to convert his opportunities. Both goalkeepers were tested, with Kansas City's netminder recording two crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Tactically, Kansas City's approach centered on controlled possession and quick transitions, effectively neutralizing Tulsa's attempts to build through the midfield. The visitors' defensive organization proved particularly effective, with Mathias Baucher and his backline teammates maintaining their shape throughout the match. Tulsa's attempts to push forward in the second half left them vulnerable to counterattacks, which Kansas City exploited effectively.
The result continues Kansas City's impressive form, having won their last four matches across all competitions. Their record improves to 8-2-4, while Tulsa drops to 4-8-2, ending their modest two-game winning streak that included victories over Temple and FIU.
Kansas City's disciplined performance and clinical finishing ultimately made the difference in what was a competitive match despite the final score. The visitors' ability to convert their chances while maintaining defensive solidarity proved to be the winning formula, extending their successful run of form on the road.
Both teams now look ahead to challenging fixtures. Kansas City travels to face Michigan State on October 26, while Tulsa prepares to host Missouri State on October 29 as they seek to bounce back from this defeat.