After breaking attendance records in back-to-back playoff wins at ONEOK Field, FC Tulsa is looking to clinch a spot in the USL Championship final when they kickoff against New Mexico United at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Among the many records FC Tulsa has broken this season, midfielder Stefan Lukic said reaching nearly 8,000 fans at ONEOK Field is the team’s biggest achievement — on or off the pitch.
“Having every seat filled, it’s a dream come true,” Lukic said.
A win tonight means FC Tulsa would host the USL Championship Final at ONEOK Field, where the Scissortails are unbeaten in their last 13 matches. The club’s performance has changed drastically from last season, when FC Tulsa failed to reach the playoffs after finishing 10th in the USL’s Western Conference.
Abdoulaye Cissoko, a French defender who is FC Tulsa’s captain, said the players had to bring crowds into the stadium with their play.
“This season, I feel it was normal to see 2,000 or 3,000 people, because we had not been successful in the past. So we had to earn that,” Cissoko said. “We had to make the game bring people into the stadium. I think that’s what we did. We grew with the city. We grew with the fans.”
Luke Spencer, FC Tulsa’s head coach, said the crowd played a crucial role in Lukic’s walk-off game-winning goal against Phoenix Rising FC last week.
“Before Lukic scored the game winner, it was a free kick, so there’s a stoppage in play and we’re getting organized. But I’m hearing horns going off, people standing up and getting out of their seats, and that drives us on,” Spencer said. “I don’t think we score that goal without the crowd. Hopefully tomorrow night, we’ll be able to repeat that.”
Asked whether he believed Tulsa is a “soccer city,” Spencer said it’s becoming one.
“It’s trending that way,” Spencer said. “I think the positive results on the field have helped, and we’ll look to continue that.”
‘I know how much this city likes soccer’
FC Tulsa’s success this season has been sweet for fans and players alike, but it’s been particularly satisfying for Lukic. Not only has he scored late-winners after being subbed on in consecutive playoff matches, he also has deep pride for Tulsa.
“I love to call Oklahoma my home. To see this many people come to our games… it just helps us tremendously,” Lukic said.
From Serbia, Lukic moved to Bartlesville in 2017 to play college soccer at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He graduated from OWU with a marketing degree in 2021.
“I’ve known how much this city wanted FC Tulsa, and in the past the Tulsa Roughnecks, to be successful. I know how much this city likes soccer, despite that being a surprise to many. I know how many kids in this city play, because I’m involved. I see it,” Lukic said.
Due to his familiarity with the city prior to signing for FC Tulsa in January, Lukic is not surprised by the record-breaking crowds this postseason.
“I knew the moment FC Tulsa makes a team that is successful, the crowd will support it,” Lukic said. “The community will support it.”
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