TULSA – Joaquín Rivas’ time in Tulsa has always set records. In his first stint with Tulsa Roughnecks FC from 2017–2018, Rivas netted 17 goals, second most in club history. Included in this was the stellar 12 goal season he produced in 2018 which was top 15 in the league that season and good for the most goals in one season in Tulsa’s USL Championship history.
“It is a very meaningful return that I know will be very exciting,” Rivas said. “I had great success in my two years in Tulsa and I’m looking forward to adding more memories.”
Now, he’ll set another record. Late Tuesday evening, Rivas was called up to the El Salvador national team ahead of the nation’s friendly against the United States Men’s National Team on December 9.
"Getting called up and representing my country is always an honor,” Rivas said. “It is two different levels of pressure when playing for your club team and nation. Playing against the United States will be very challenging even though they are a very young squad. I’ve always looked forward to playing against them since I was a boy."
Rivas will become the first player in FC Tulsa’s history to be called up to the national team while on the roster. Even more exciting would the opportunity to play against the nation which he has called home for nearly all his life, and where he has spent his entire collegiate and professional career.
Rivas has been a USL Championship Staple since coming into the league in 2015, making 99 regular season appearances and adding three playoff appearances. He rejoins Tulsa in year two of this new era of the club, a rebrand which has seen FC Tulsa raise the bar on the pitch across the board.
“With just one year into the rebrand, being able to see the club grow in the right direction had me keeping an eye on it,” Rivas said. “Now it is our job to get the work done and show everyone what the hype is all about.”
Rivas was a part of the first playoff squad in Tulsa’s USL story. Joining him on that 2017 squad was Bradley Bourgeois and Bryan Byars, both of whom were members of the 2020 FC Tulsa squad. Tulsa is coming off of a difficult but incredible 2020 season which saw some of the most memorable moments in ONEOK Field history, as well as the first playoff berth since that 2017 season.
“The fans at ONEOK were always amazing to me from day one,” Rivas said. “Even when we were at our lowest, they never stopped cheering and caring. The first goal I score will be dedicated to them for always being there for me.”
Rivas is also reuniting with a former mentor and coach in Michael Nsien. Nsien was an assistant on the coaching staff of Tulsa Roughnecks’ 2018 squad before being named interim head coach in June of that season.
“Coach Nsien is the reason I returned,” Rivas said. “When a coach wants you and is willing to give you the confidence, as a player that is all you ask for. After that, the rest follows.”
Rivas joins Sean Lewis as the first two players announced to FC Tulsa’s 2021 roster.
TULSA – Joaquín Rivas’ time in Tulsa has always set records. In his first stint with Tulsa Roughnecks FC from 2017–2018, Rivas netted 17 goals, second most in club history. Included in this was the stellar 12 goal season he produced in 2018 which was top 15 in the league that season and good for the most goals in one season in Tulsa’s USL Championship history.
“It is a very meaningful return that I know will be very exciting,” Rivas said. “I had great success in my two years in Tulsa and I’m looking forward to adding more memories.”
Now, he’ll set another record. Late Tuesday evening, Rivas was called up to the El Salvador national team ahead of the nation’s friendly against the United States Men’s National Team on December 9.
“Getting called up and representing my country is always an honor,” Rivas said. “It is two different levels of pressure when playing for your club team and nation. Playing against the United States will be very challenging even though they are a very young squad. I’ve always looked forward to playing against them since I was a boy.”
Rivas will become the first player in FC Tulsa’s history to be called up to the national team while on the roster. Even more exciting would the opportunity to play against the nation which he has called home for nearly all his life, and where he has spent his entire collegiate and professional career.
Rivas has been a USL Championship Staple since coming into the league in 2015, making 99 regular season appearances and adding three playoff appearances. He rejoins Tulsa in year two of this new era of the club, a rebrand which has seen FC Tulsa raise the bar on the pitch across the board.
“With just one year into the rebrand, being able to see the club grow in the right direction had me keeping an eye on it,” Rivas said. “Now it is our job to get the work done and show everyone what the hype is all about.”
Rivas was a part of the first playoff squad in Tulsa’s USL story. Joining him on that 2017 squad was Bradley Bourgeois and Bryan Byars, both of whom were members of the 2020 FC Tulsa squad. Tulsa is coming off of a difficult but incredible 2020 season which saw some of the most memorable moments in ONEOK Field history, as well as the first playoff berth since that 2017 season.
“The fans at ONEOK were always amazing to me from day one,” Rivas said. “Even when we were at our lowest, they never stopped cheering and caring. The first goal I score will be dedicated to them for always being there for me.”
Rivas is also reuniting with a former mentor and coach in Michael Nsien. Nsien was an assistant on the coaching staff of Tulsa Roughnecks’ 2018 squad before being named interim head coach in June of that season.
“Coach Nsien is the reason I returned,” Rivas said. “When a coach wants you and is willing to give you the confidence, as a player that is all you ask for. After that, the rest follows.”
Rivas joins Sean Lewis as the first two players announced to FC Tulsa’s 2021 roster.
