TULSA – Entering the second year of his multiyear contract he signed last offseason, FC Tulsa midfielder Rodrigo da Costa has quickly become a foundation for the club. In two years, da Costa has written his name all over the FC Tulsa record books and will be a crucial piece of the midfield in 2021.
Since he made his first start for Tulsa in the 2019 USL Championship season opener, da Costa has played in 49 of the club’s 50 total matches during that two-year stretch, starting 48 of those. He now ranks 4th in franchise history in both starts and minutes played in franchise history and will continue to climb in 2021.
“Over the last 3 years I’ve experienced many changes within the club, from teammates to ownership,” said da Costa. “The way our season ended last year I couldn’t have been more proud of what we accomplished in the year. Returning to Tulsa means getting to continue to build with the club and get a second chance to finish our season stronger than the last.”
Despite being a constant on the pitch at ONEOK Field, da Costa has seen more change than most in the last two years of the franchise. New ownership, a new front office staff and a new brand were a part of the overhaul of the franchise during the 2019 offseason. Even the pitch alignment changed heading into 2020. However, now he will come back for year 3, one of just four active FC Tulsa players to play three consecutive seasons for the franchise.
“It feels really good coming back for the 3rd year,” said da Costa. “When I first arrived in Tulsa there was a huge lack in trust in the club and that has since then changed completely. I believe the new owners changed that and the fans can already see the difference. FC Tulsa is in a much better place today and my goal is to continue helping the club grow until we reach the top.”
One thing that hasn’t changed during da Costa’s tenure in Tulsa is his head coach on the touchline. He and Coach Michael Nsien will reunite for a third season after Nsien signed an extension following the franchise’s record-breaking 2020 season.
“My relationship with Coach Mike is great,” said da Costa. “He was one of the main reasons for me returning back to Tulsa last year. From the beginning he asked me to trust the process, and I believe we share the same goal – to get the club to a higher level than when we both arrived in 2019.”
He and Coach Nsien made that goal a reality in 2020 as FC Tulsa earned a USL Championship Playoff spot for just the second time in franchise history and set records for best winning percentage and longest unbeaten streak. Da Costa now is ready to show the fans what 2021 will have in store for FC Tulsa.
“I can’t wait to play in front of our fans next year,” said da Costa. “2020 was a crazy year with the amount of fans being restricted due to COVID-19 regulations. We really need the fans to come out and support us this year. We play for them and for the city of Tulsa and because of them we are that much stronger every time we hit the field.”
TULSA – Entering the second year of his multiyear contract he signed last offseason, FC Tulsa midfielder Rodrigo da Costa has quickly become a foundation for the club. In two years, da Costa has written his name all over the FC Tulsa record books and will be a crucial piece of the midfield in 2021.
Since he made his first start for Tulsa in the 2019 USL Championship season opener, da Costa has played in 49 of the club’s 50 total matches during that two-year stretch, starting 48 of those. He now ranks 4th in franchise history in both starts and minutes played in franchise history and will continue to climb in 2021.
“Over the last 3 years I’ve experienced many changes within the club, from teammates to ownership,” said da Costa. “The way our season ended last year I couldn’t have been more proud of what we accomplished in the year. Returning to Tulsa means getting to continue to build with the club and get a second chance to finish our season stronger than the last.”
Despite being a constant on the pitch at ONEOK Field, da Costa has seen more change than most in the last two years of the franchise. New ownership, a new front office staff and a new brand were a part of the overhaul of the franchise during the 2019 offseason. Even the pitch alignment changed heading into 2020. However, now he will come back for year 3, one of just four active FC Tulsa players to play three consecutive seasons for the franchise.
“It feels really good coming back for the 3rd year,” said da Costa. “When I first arrived in Tulsa there was a huge lack in trust in the club and that has since then changed completely. I believe the new owners changed that and the fans can already see the difference. FC Tulsa is in a much better place today and my goal is to continue helping the club grow until we reach the top.”
One thing that hasn’t changed during da Costa’s tenure in Tulsa is his head coach on the touchline. He and Coach Michael Nsien will reunite for a third season after Nsien signed an extension following the franchise’s record-breaking 2020 season.
“My relationship with Coach Mike is great,” said da Costa. “He was one of the main reasons for me returning back to Tulsa last year. From the beginning he asked me to trust the process, and I believe we share the same goal – to get the club to a higher level than when we both arrived in 2019.”
He and Coach Nsien made that goal a reality in 2020 as FC Tulsa earned a USL Championship Playoff spot for just the second time in franchise history and set records for best winning percentage and longest unbeaten streak. Da Costa now is ready to show the fans what 2021 will have in store for FC Tulsa.
“I can’t wait to play in front of our fans next year,” said da Costa. “2020 was a crazy year with the amount of fans being restricted due to COVID-19 regulations. We really need the fans to come out and support us this year. We play for them and for the city of Tulsa and because of them we are that much stronger every time we hit the field.”
