FC Tulsa’s 24-man roster features players who have played around the world in over 26 different leagues in more than 18 different countries during their soccer career. For this week’s edition of “Ask FC Tulsa,” the squad was polled to find out what they said was the best match of their career.
The players responded, reminiscing on matches that had a special significance to them, whether it be a major accomplishment for their team, a major accomplishment or milestone for them personally or that it was just a special moment. Here’s what they said:
FC Tulsa’s 24-man roster features players who have played around the world in over 26 different leagues in more than 18 different countries during their soccer career. For this week’s edition of “Ask FC Tulsa,” the squad was polled to find out what they said was the best match of their career.
The players responded, reminiscing on matches that had a special significance to them, whether it be a major accomplishment for their team, a major accomplishment or milestone for them personally or that it was just a special moment. Here’s what they said:
Midfielder Rodrigo Da Costa – Playing for Tulsa Roughnecks FC against Fresno FC in 2019.
“I scored the most beautiful goal of my career, and I also gave a nice assist, and we won that match 2-1.”
Forward Tobenna Uzo – Playing for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC against OKC Energy FC.
“Match tied 0-0, and I got subbed in 72nd minute, scored 73rd minute (took my shirt off) and had an assist 89th minute for teammate Shane Malcolm to win 2-0 (first goal and assist in USL Championship play).”
Defender Kevin Garcia – playing for Houston Dynamo against Club América in the 2019 Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
“Played against Club América's first team. Had the match tying assist to DeMarcus Beasley 1-1 and scored my penalty in the shootout.”
Defender Callum Chapman-Page – playing for South Georgia Tormenta FC against Charleston Battery.
“We actually lost 1-0 but it was the first time I played against a USL Championship team and thought it was easy. Had great stats but just enjoyed the match most of all.”
Midfielder Ciaran Winters – playing for Sporting Kansas City’s development academy against Columbus Crew in the playoffs.
“It was a huge match in the playoffs, we needed to win if we wanted to have a chance to win our group and advance to the quarterfinals. The whole team played amazing. I think I drew 4 or 5 fouls in the first 20 minutes and was just playing really good along with my teammates. I got an assist and had a really great match as we went on to win 4-0.”
Goalkeeper Bryan Byars – playing for Rayo OKC away against Ft. Lauderdale.
“I had a lot of saves, allowed no goals, and we won. We needed to win that match to get into playoffs. It was my first start of the year for Rayo and my first professional shutout.”
Forward Ariel Martínez – playing for Cuba in the Caribbean Cup Final 2012 against Trinidad and Tobago.
“Quedamos campeón del Caribe.”
Trans. “We finished as champions of the Caribbean”
Defender Cyprian Hedrick – Playing for San Antonio FC against Sacramento Republic.
“I fell out of favor with the coaches, so I didn’t get my first minutes or start until this match in June. I had a pretty good match for a defender. Only thing keeping me from having a completely flawless match was scoring a goal. This was the best match because of all the obstacles I had to overcome and all of the things I had to sacrifice daily to finally get the opportunity. (I started and played every minute of every match for the rest of the season after this one). “Doesn’t matter if the odds are stacked up against you. Keep working hard and doing the right things and god will give you the right opportunity to reward all of your hard work and sacrifice. Be ready.”
Defender Maicon – Playing for Brazil U23 versus Haiti.
“Fue un Partido especial”
Trans. “that was a special match.”
Fullback Matt Sheldon – Playing in his first collegiate match at UC Davis.
“In the first preseason game of my freshman year at UC Davis I actually earned a starting spot and I was extremely nervous heading into the game. There were some injuries and I had a great opportunity to start off my collegiate career on the right foot. In the game I played great and actually netted myself a hat trick (this was back when I played striker haha), but I think that my performance in that game set the tone for the rest of the season if not my entire time at Davis.”
Midfielder Rodrigo Da Costa – Playing for Tulsa Roughnecks FC against Fresno FC in 2019.
“I scored the most beautiful goal of my career, and I also gave a nice assist, and we won that match 2-1.”
Forward Tobenna Uzo – Playing for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC against OKC Energy FC.
“Match tied 0-0, and I got subbed in 72nd minute, scored 73rd minute (took my shirt off) and had an assist 89th minute for teammate Shane Malcolm to win 2-0 (first goal and assist in USL Championship play).”
Defender Kevin Garcia – playing for Houston Dynamo against Club América in the 2019 Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
“Played against Club América’s first team. Had the match tying assist to DeMarcus Beasley 1-1 and scored my penalty in the shootout.”
Defender Callum Chapman-Page – playing for South Georgia Tormenta FC against Charleston Battery.
“We actually lost 1-0 but it was the first time I played against a USL Championship team and thought it was easy. Had great stats but just enjoyed the match most of all.”
Midfielder Ciaran Winters – playing for Sporting Kansas City’s development academy against Columbus Crew in the playoffs.
“It was a huge match in the playoffs, we needed to win if we wanted to have a chance to win our group and advance to the quarterfinals. The whole team played amazing. I think I drew 4 or 5 fouls in the first 20 minutes and was just playing really good along with my teammates. I got an assist and had a really great match as we went on to win 4-0.”
Goalkeeper Bryan Byars – playing for Rayo OKC away against Ft. Lauderdale.
“I had a lot of saves, allowed no goals, and we won. We needed to win that match to get into playoffs. It was my first start of the year for Rayo and my first professional shutout.”
Forward Ariel Martínez – playing for Cuba in the Caribbean Cup Final 2012 against Trinidad and Tobago.
“Quedamos campeón del Caribe.”
Trans. “We finished as champions of the Caribbean”
Defender Cyprian Hedrick – Playing for San Antonio FC against Sacramento Republic.
“I fell out of favor with the coaches, so I didn’t get my first minutes or start until this match in June. I had a pretty good match for a defender. Only thing keeping me from having a completely flawless match was scoring a goal. This was the best match because of all the obstacles I had to overcome and all of the things I had to sacrifice daily to finally get the opportunity. (I started and played every minute of every match for the rest of the season after this one). “Doesn’t matter if the odds are stacked up against you. Keep working hard and doing the right things and god will give you the right opportunity to reward all of your hard work and sacrifice. Be ready.”
Defender Maicon – Playing for Brazil U23 versus Haiti.
“Fue un Partido especial”
Trans. “that was a special match.”
Fullback Matt Sheldon – Playing in his first collegiate match at UC Davis.
“In the first preseason game of my freshman year at UC Davis I actually earned a starting spot and I was extremely nervous heading into the game. There were some injuries and I had a great opportunity to start off my collegiate career on the right foot. In the game I played great and actually netted myself a hat trick (this was back when I played striker haha), but I think that my performance in that game set the tone for the rest of the season if not my entire time at Davis.”
