TULSA – Another USL League One standout is making the jump to FC Tulsa in the USL Championship. FC Tulsa has signed former Chattanooga Red Wolves defender Leo Folla for the 2021 season, pending league and federation approval.
The 25-year-old defender comes to Tulsa after two years with Chattanooga where he was a fixture on the Red Wolves backline. Folla made 15 starts in 2019 before a career year in 2020 that included appearances in all but one match and starts in all but two. Overall in his two seasons in Chattanooga, Folla led the Red Wolves in clearances and finished second on the club in interceptions, anchoring the league’s 4th-best defense. He made his first career Team of the Week in August of 2020.
“Leo has a great level of comfort with the ball,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “He’s an aggressive ball winner, that takes his matchups personally. Leo embodies everything we want our club to represent. He is as hardworking and professional as they come and has all of the qualities to play at the USL Championship level. I know he will make the most of his opportunity with the club, and we are very happy to have Leo on our side this year.”
Folla was the captain in a highly successful collegiate career at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, where he attended his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In his final two collegiate seasons, the Terriers were crowned the Northeast Conference regular season and tournament champions, securing NCAA Tournament berths in 2016 and 2017. Saint Francis didn’t lose a conference match in those two campaigns and only allowed three total conference goals over that span. He also has an offensive component to his game, contributing five goals in his collegiate career.
“Signing with FC Tulsa is a huge step forward in my career,” said Folla. “The club is very ambitious and looks to challenge on all fronts for 2021 and the seasons that follow. I'm proud to say that I'm excited to match that ambition and success on the pitch.”
A New York, New York native, Folla was born and grew up on Roosevelt Island in the East River in Manhattan, while also holding Italian and Brazilian passports. He’s the 16th player and sixth defender announced to FC Tulsa’s 2021 roster.
2021 FC Tulsa Roster
Goalkeepers: Daniel Gagliardi, Sean Lewis
Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois, Leo Folla, Kevin Garcia, Mo Jadama, Solomon Kwambe, Matt Sheldon
Midfielders: Eric Bird, Rodrigo da Costa, Lebo Moloto, Ciaran Winters
Forwards: Jerome Kiesewetter, Joaquín Rivas, Marlon Santos, Darío Suárez
TULSA – Another USL League One standout is making the jump to FC Tulsa in the USL Championship. FC Tulsa has signed former Chattanooga Red Wolves defender Leo Folla for the 2021 season, pending league and federation approval.
The 25-year-old defender comes to Tulsa after two years with Chattanooga where he was a fixture on the Red Wolves backline. Folla made 15 starts in 2019 before a career year in 2020 that included appearances in all but one match and starts in all but two. Overall in his two seasons in Chattanooga, Folla led the Red Wolves in clearances and finished second on the club in interceptions, anchoring the league’s 4th-best defense. He made his first career Team of the Week in August of 2020.
“Leo has a great level of comfort with the ball,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “He’s an aggressive ball winner, that takes his matchups personally. Leo embodies everything we want our club to represent. He is as hardworking and professional as they come and has all of the qualities to play at the USL Championship level. I know he will make the most of his opportunity with the club, and we are very happy to have Leo on our side this year.”
Folla was the captain in a highly successful collegiate career at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, where he attended his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In his final two collegiate seasons, the Terriers were crowned the Northeast Conference regular season and tournament champions, securing NCAA Tournament berths in 2016 and 2017. Saint Francis didn’t lose a conference match in those two campaigns and only allowed three total conference goals over that span. He also has an offensive component to his game, contributing five goals in his collegiate career.
“Signing with FC Tulsa is a huge step forward in my career,” said Folla. “The club is very ambitious and looks to challenge on all fronts for 2021 and the seasons that follow. I’m proud to say that I’m excited to match that ambition and success on the pitch.”
A New York, New York native, Folla was born and grew up on Roosevelt Island in the East River in Manhattan, while also holding Italian and Brazilian passports. He’s the 16th player and sixth defender announced to FC Tulsa’s 2021 roster.
2021 FC Tulsa Roster
Goalkeepers: Daniel Gagliardi, Sean Lewis
Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois, Leo Folla, Kevin Garcia, Mo Jadama, Solomon Kwambe, Matt Sheldon
Midfielders: Eric Bird, Rodrigo da Costa, Lebo Moloto, Ciaran Winters
Forwards: Jerome Kiesewetter, Joaquín Rivas, Marlon Santos, Darío Suárez
