TULSA – Five more players will remain in Tulsa to represent the FC Tulsa crest in the 2020 USL Championship season. Forward Panin Boakye, midfielder Brayan Reyes and keeper Sean Lewis have been re-signed to the club’s 2020 roster while forward Tobenna "Toby" Uzo and keeper Andrew Macrae have had their options exercised, pending league and federation approval.
"We are delighted to announce the return of this core group of players,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “These individuals all have qualities as players and professionals that we value and want to build upon for the 2020 season and beyond. We believe it is important to have a foundation and maintain stability and consistency to our roster with deserving players.”
Nine returning players have now been announced to FC Tulsa’s 2020 roster, including three forwards, two midfielders, two defenders and two keepers.
“It shows a lot of promise as a club for us to maintain our key players as well as bring in other top players to complement them and to continue to move the club towards its goals,” said Nsien. “We have more great news coming as we continue to have discussions with other key players returning from the 2019 season as well as prominent newcomers to our club.”
TULSA – Five more players will remain in Tulsa to represent the FC Tulsa crest in the 2020 USL Championship season. Forward Panin Boakye, midfielder Brayan Reyes and keeper Sean Lewis have been re-signed to the club’s 2020 roster while forward Tobenna “Toby” Uzo and keeper Andrew Macrae have had their options exercised, pending league and federation approval.
“We are delighted to announce the return of this core group of players,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “These individuals all have qualities as players and professionals that we value and want to build upon for the 2020 season and beyond. We believe it is important to have a foundation and maintain stability and consistency to our roster with deserving players.”
Nine returning players have now been announced to FC Tulsa’s 2020 roster, including three forwards, two midfielders, two defenders and two keepers.
“It shows a lot of promise as a club for us to maintain our key players as well as bring in other top players to complement them and to continue to move the club towards its goals,” said Nsien. “We have more great news coming as we continue to have discussions with other key players returning from the 2019 season as well as prominent newcomers to our club.”
Lewis, 27, started 16 matches in net for Tulsa last season and was the first choice keeper when healthy for Coach Nsien’s squad. He recorded five of the club’s eight wins in 2019 while leading the team with 48 saves, a 61.5 save pct. and two clean sheets.
Coach Nsien's Thoughts: "Sean has the skill set to be one of the most well-rounded keepers in the league. He’s shown he can make a key save and also start possession very comfortably. We look forward to Sean finding his best moments this season."
Lewis' Thoughts: "I am so pleased to have extended my contract with FC Tulsa, and I am very excited to be a part of this club as it takes a new direction into the 2020 season."
Lewis, 27, started 16 matches in net for Tulsa last season and was the first choice keeper when healthy for Coach Nsien’s squad. He recorded five of the club’s eight wins in 2019 while leading the team with 48 saves, a 61.5 save pct. and two clean sheets.
Coach Nsien’s Thoughts: “Sean has the skill set to be one of the most well-rounded keepers in the league. He’s shown he can make a key save and also start possession very comfortably. We look forward to Sean finding his best moments this season.”
Lewis’ Thoughts: “I am so pleased to have extended my contract with FC Tulsa, and I am very excited to be a part of this club as it takes a new direction into the 2020 season.”
From Honduras, Reyes, 28, was a fixture on the field for Tulsa in 2019 with 19 starts and 27 appearances overall. As a defensive center midfielder, Reyes’s contributions came primarily in defense where he led the club in both tackles (54) and tackles won (41).
Coach Nsien's Thoughts: "Brayan was 'Mr. Consistency' once he got his rhythm and moments in the game. He is very well-rounded and brings an element of passing and breaking up plays that all teams need in their lineup."
Reyes' Thoughts: "I am blessed and grateful to have re-signed and to be a part this new project at FC Tulsa. I'm looking forward to this upcoming 2020 season. It will be a great year! Vamos Tulsa!"
From Honduras, Reyes, 28, was a fixture on the field for Tulsa in 2019 with 19 starts and 27 appearances overall. As a defensive center midfielder, Reyes’s contributions came primarily in defense where he led the club in both tackles (54) and tackles won (41).
Coach Nsien’s Thoughts: “Brayan was ‘Mr. Consistency’ once he got his rhythm and moments in the game. He is very well-rounded and brings an element of passing and breaking up plays that all teams need in their lineup.”
Reyes’ Thoughts: “I am blessed and grateful to have re-signed and to be a part this new project at FC Tulsa. I’m looking forward to this upcoming 2020 season. It will be a great year! Vamos Tulsa!”
Like Lewis and Reyes, Uzo, 25, will return to Tulsa for his second season with the club. In 2019, the forward from Nigeria made 21 appearances with the club, including nine starts. Uzo was extremely effective when on the pitch, scoring five goals in his 1,014 minutes. Three of those goals came in Uzo’s last four appearances for Tulsa, all starts.
Coach Nsien's Thoughts: "Toby has the tools and characteristics to be a difference maker in the final third. Not only does he have a physical presence, he has the athleticism and technique to make something out of nothing."
Uzo's Thoughts: "Thank God for the opportunity to be a part of a new era. The city of Tulsa grew on me this past season – the fans, community, the coaching and athletic staff. I can’t wait to learn and make my team stronger in whatever way I can and give my all for everyone who believes in this team, including my family. Let’s have a fun 2020."
Like Lewis and Reyes, Uzo, 25, will return to Tulsa for his second season with the club. In 2019, the forward from Nigeria made 21 appearances with the club, including nine starts. Uzo was extremely effective when on the pitch, scoring five goals in his 1,014 minutes. Three of those goals came in Uzo’s last four appearances for Tulsa, all starts.
Coach Nsien’s Thoughts: “Toby has the tools and characteristics to be a difference maker in the final third. Not only does he have a physical presence, he has the athleticism and technique to make something out of nothing.”
Uzo’s Thoughts: “Thank God for the opportunity to be a part of a new era. The city of Tulsa grew on me this past season – the fans, community, the coaching and athletic staff. I can’t wait to learn and make my team stronger in whatever way I can and give my all for everyone who believes in this team, including my family. Let’s have a fun 2020.”
After arriving mid-season in 2019, Boakye, 24, made eight appearances with three starts for Tulsa. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Tulsa went 3-2-2 in his eight appearances.
Coach Nsien's Thoughts: "Panin has incredible 1-v-1 ability. We look forward to him being a vertical threat with his dribbling and change of pace. He brings electricity to our attacking core."
Boakye's Thoughts: "I’m very excited to re-sign with the newly-branded FC Tulsa. Thanks to each and every one of the fans. I can’t wait to get started and make 2020 a historic year!"
After arriving mid-season in 2019, Boakye, 24, made eight appearances with three starts for Tulsa. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Tulsa went 3-2-2 in his eight appearances.
Coach Nsien’s Thoughts: “Panin has incredible 1-v-1 ability. We look forward to him being a vertical threat with his dribbling and change of pace. He brings electricity to our attacking core.”
Boakye’s Thoughts: “I’m very excited to re-sign with the newly-branded FC Tulsa. Thanks to each and every one of the fans. I can’t wait to get started and make 2020 a historic year!”
MacRae, 29, made one appearance, his USL Championship debut, in net for Tulsa in 2019, making a substitute appearance for Tulsa on March 23 in a 4-0 win over Tacoma Defiance. He kept his net clean and was a part of the clean sheet.
Coach Nsien's Thoughts: "Andrew was very steady and reliable last season. When called upon, we expect Andrew to have the quality to keep our level high and consistent. His mentality at training is second to none, and he helps keep the professional environment."
Andrew Thoughts: "I'm really happy to be back in Tulsa for this upcoming season. With the new ownership and the changes they’re making, along with the vision of the gaffer, it’s making next season look very exciting. I can’t wait to get back in, get preseason started and show the league what we’re about."
MacRae, 29, made one appearance, his USL Championship debut, in net for Tulsa in 2019, making a substitute appearance for Tulsa on March 23 in a 4-0 win over Tacoma Defiance. He kept his net clean and was a part of the clean sheet.
Coach Nsien’s Thoughts: “Andrew was very steady and reliable last season. When called upon, we expect Andrew to have the quality to keep our level high and consistent. His mentality at training is second to none, and he helps keep the professional environment.”
Andrew Thoughts: “I’m really happy to be back in Tulsa for this upcoming season. With the new ownership and the changes they’re making, along with the vision of the gaffer, it’s making next season look very exciting. I can’t wait to get back in, get preseason started and show the league what we’re about.”
