Honestly, if you've been following the USL Championship for any length of time, you know that some matchups just feel like a coin flip. FC Tulsa vs Birmingham Legion FC is the poster child for that kind of unpredictability. They aren't the biggest rivals in terms of geography, but every time they step onto the pitch at ONEOK Field or Protective Stadium, things get weird. Fast.
Just look at their history. It’s almost perfectly symmetrical. Over 11 matches, both teams have walked away with four wins each, alongside three draws.
The last time they met, back on September 6, 2025, it was a classic case of "almost but not quite" for the home side. Tulsa had the lead late into the game thanks to a Taylor Calheira penalty in the first half. It felt like they were going to squeeze the life out of the clock and take all three points. Then, Jake Rufe happens. In the 84th minute, Rufe found the back of the net to salvage a 1-1 draw for Birmingham.
The Current State of Play
Tulsa has been on a bit of a rollercoaster. They finished the 2025 regular season at the top of the Western Conference with 57 points, which sounds great—and it was—but their playoff exit was a heartbreaker, losing to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on penalties in the final.
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Luke Spencer has taken the reins as manager after Mario Sanchez moved into the Technical Director role. Spencer has been remarkably consistent, averaging about 1.83 points per match. He’s built a squad that relies heavily on a 4-2-3-1 structure, leaning on the goal-scoring prowess of Calheira, who bagged 15 goals last season.
Birmingham is in a different spot. They’ve struggled for consistency lately. They finished the 2025 season toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only 5 wins. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a club that’s usually a lock for the postseason. They’ve been leaking goals, failing to keep a clean sheet in nine straight matches at one point.
Key Personnel to Watch
- Taylor Calheira (Tulsa): He’s the undisputed danger man. If he’s in the box, the Legion defense needs to be on high alert.
- Enzo Martinez (Birmingham): The veteran presence. Even when Birmingham is struggling, Martinez is the engine. He’s the kind of player who can turn a game with one clever pass.
- Abdoulaye Cissoko (Tulsa): A rock at the back. He’s the captain and the guy who organizes a defense that is significantly more disciplined than Birmingham’s.
- Ronaldo Damus (Birmingham): When he’s on, he’s one of the most clinical finishers in the league. The problem is getting him the service.
Tactical Breakdown: Chaos vs. Structure
Birmingham Legion likes to play with a back five, or at least they did in their most recent clash. It’s a 5-3-2 that is designed to absorb pressure and hit on the break with speed. But here's the kicker: they haven't been winning. They’ve gone multiple games without a win, often drawing matches they probably should have lost or losing matches they could have drawn.
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Tulsa is much more methodical. They want the ball. With players like Jamie Webber and Giordano Colli in the midfield, they aim to control the tempo. Basically, Tulsa tries to suffocate you with possession, while Birmingham waits for you to make a mistake so they can sprint into the open space.
It's a clash of philosophies.
You’ve got Tulsa’s "Scissortails" (as they're nicknamed) who have a massive home-field advantage at ONEOK Field. The atmosphere there is tight, and the fans are loud. Birmingham, on the other hand, has become a bit of a "draw specialist" on the road, which is frustrating for supporters but shows they aren't easy to beat, even when they aren't playing well.
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Why This Matchup Matters in 2026
As we head into the 2026 season, both clubs are at a crossroads. Tulsa needs to prove that their run to the 2025 Western Conference title wasn't a fluke. They’ve lost some pieces—midfielder Eliot Goldthorp moved to Pittsburgh—but they’ve brought in reinforcements like all-time USL saves leader Alex Tambakis in goal.
Birmingham needs a complete reboot. Mark Briggs is still at the helm, and he’s kept the core of his defense with Phanuel Kavita and AJ Paterson, but the offense needs a spark. They’ve signed Samuel Shashoua and Sebastian Saucedo to new deals, hoping that continuity will finally lead to results.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking at this matchup from a betting perspective or just trying to win your office pool, keep these three things in mind:
- The Draw is the Trend: Three of the last five meetings have been extremely close, and the 1-1 scoreline is becoming a bit of a habit for these two.
- Watch the First 15 Minutes: Tulsa tends to start fast at home. If they don't score early, Birmingham's defensive shell usually hardens, making it a long night for the attackers.
- The "Rufe" Factor: Birmingham has a knack for late goals. Even if Tulsa is up 1-0 in the 80th minute, don't turn off the TV.
Going forward, the best way to track this rivalry is to keep an eye on the USL Championship standings specifically during the summer "crunch" period. Tulsa’s ability to integrate their new signings like Raheem Somersall will determine if they stay at the top of the West. For Birmingham, it's all about whether they can fix a defense that gave up too many soft goals in 2025. Follow the live match updates on the official USL YouTube channel or FotMob for real-time tactical shifts during the game.