TULSA – It’s that time again. Hope springs eternal. Championship aspirations alight. It’s the preseason.
Coming off its best season in franchise history that culminated in a USL Championship Playoffs appearance, FC Tulsa enters this preseason with a new feeling on its shoulders, the weight of expectations. Premier signings mixed with a core of returning talent have changed the perception of FC Tulsa across the league. It’s a feeling fans can get used to.
As the appetizer for the 2021 season approaches, some questions still remain. We have selected the five most burning as the 2021 preseason begins.
TULSA – It’s that time again. Hope springs eternal. Championship aspirations alight. It’s the preseason.
Coming off its best season in franchise history that culminated in a USL Championship Playoffs appearance, FC Tulsa enters this preseason with a new feeling on its shoulders, the weight of expectations. Premier signings mixed with a core of returning talent have changed the perception of FC Tulsa across the league. It’s a feeling fans can get used to.
As the appetizer for the 2021 season approaches, some questions still remain. We have selected the five most burning as the 2021 preseason begins.
1) WHO WILL WEAR THE ARMBAND IN 2021?
1) WHO WILL WEAR THE ARMBAND IN 2021?
While FC Tulsa kept almost all of its core together from 2020, one player that the team did not retain was Captain Ariel Martínez. Martínez’s absence opens up the arm band for someone new in 2021. Head Coach Michael Nsien did confirm that the leadership structure of Captain/Vice Captain will remain in place for this upcoming season but didn’t give an indication of which way he was leaning so far in preseason camp.
“I think, so far, in our group there are a lot of exceptional leaders,” said Nsien. “We’ve returned guys that were in leadership positions for us last year, with the addition of guys who have been captains in other teams.
While FC Tulsa kept almost all of its core together from 2020, one player that the team did not retain was Captain Ariel Martínez. Martínez’s absence opens up the arm band for someone new in 2021. Head Coach Michael Nsien did confirm that the leadership structure of Captain/Vice Captain will remain in place for this upcoming season but didn’t give an indication of which way he was leaning so far in preseason camp.
“I think, so far, in our group there are a lot of exceptional leaders,” said Nsien. “We’ve returned guys that were in leadership positions for us last year, with the addition of guys who have been captains in other teams.
"So, we’ll observe and see which guys the players naturally gravitate towards and have good command, good presence, and overall know how we want to function as FC Tulsa. I think we have a great selection of players to choose from.”
Those returners Nsien is referring to likely includes 2020 Vice Captain Bradley Bourgeois, who regardless of title will continue to be a vocal leader of the defense out on the pitch and a community leader around Tulsa. As Vice Captain, Bourgeois would get the armband if Martínez was subbed off or didn’t start.
Bourgeois’ fellow backline mate Kevin Garcia could be another returning option for Nsien to wear the “C.” As a 26-year-old in 2016 with Rio Grande Valley FC, Garcia served as the team’s captain, taking RGVFC to its highest-ever finish while leading the league’s best defense. One new face with a history of captaincy in the USL Championship is defender Mo Jadama. The centerback from The Gambia has served as a team captain in each of his stints with Portland Timbers 2 and Atlanta United 2 over the previous few seasons.
Regardless of who ends up with the honor of serving as FC Tulsa’s captain, there is no doubting the 2021 club is full of leadership options.
“So, we’ll observe and see which guys the players naturally gravitate towards and have good command, good presence, and overall know how we want to function as FC Tulsa. I think we have a great selection of players to choose from.”
Those returners Nsien is referring to likely includes 2020 Vice Captain Bradley Bourgeois, who regardless of title will continue to be a vocal leader of the defense out on the pitch and a community leader around Tulsa. As Vice Captain, Bourgeois would get the armband if Martínez was subbed off or didn’t start.
Bourgeois’ fellow backline mate Kevin Garcia could be another returning option for Nsien to wear the “C.” As a 26-year-old in 2016 with Rio Grande Valley FC, Garcia served as the team’s captain, taking RGVFC to its highest-ever finish while leading the league’s best defense. One new face with a history of captaincy in the USL Championship is defender Mo Jadama. The centerback from The Gambia has served as a team captain in each of his stints with Portland Timbers 2 and Atlanta United 2 over the previous few seasons.
Regardless of who ends up with the honor of serving as FC Tulsa’s captain, there is no doubting the 2021 club is full of leadership options.
2) CAN FC TULSA'S DEFENSE GET EVEN BETTER?
2) CAN FC TULSA’S DEFENSE GET EVEN BETTER?
FC Tulsa had one of the best defenses in the USL Championship in 2020, never allowing more than two goals in a match and just a paltry 16 total in the club’s 15 regular season matches. That unit only got better during the offseason with additions of former MLS defenders Jorge Corrales and Mo Jadama, and USL League One standout Leo Folla.
The position group already included returners Bradley Bourgeois, Matt Sheldon, Kevin Garcia and Solomon Kwambe, giving Tulsa one of the deepest backlines in the league.
FC Tulsa had one of the best defenses in the USL Championship in 2020, never allowing more than two goals in a match and just a paltry 16 total in the club’s 15 regular season matches. That unit only got better during the offseason with additions of former MLS defenders Jorge Corrales and Mo Jadama, and USL League One standout Leo Folla.
The position group already included returners Bradley Bourgeois, Matt Sheldon, Kevin Garcia and Solomon Kwambe, giving Tulsa one of the deepest backlines in the league.
Bourgeois in particular has a history of being on elite USL Championship defenses, from Rio Grande Valley FC’s 2016 squad that allowed the second fewest goals to his 2018 and 2019 seasons with Nashville SC where no defense conceded less over that time frame. He knows a thing or two about defense.
“We have a lot of guys that are going to push each other,” said Bourgeois. “We have a standard we’ve set that only motivates the team, and makes the group stronger. It’s about pushing the group on and making the group better than it was last year. This defense looks really good on paper. It looks really good with the experience that we have, and the mentality that we have. With the group so far, it’s shaping up to be a good one.”
Bourgeois in particular has a history of being on elite USL Championship defenses, from Rio Grande Valley FC’s 2016 squad that allowed the second fewest goals to his 2018 and 2019 seasons with Nashville SC where no defense conceded less over that time frame. He knows a thing or two about defense.
“We have a lot of guys that are going to push each other,” said Bourgeois. “We have a standard we’ve set that only motivates the team, and makes the group stronger. It’s about pushing the group on and making the group better than it was last year. This defense looks really good on paper. It looks really good with the experience that we have, and the mentality that we have. With the group so far, it’s shaping up to be a good one.”
3) IS JEROME KIESEWETTER THE MISSING INGREDIENT?
3) IS JEROME KIESEWETTER THE MISSING INGREDIENT?
While FC Tulsa had plenty of firepower in 2020, the biggest offseason splash came at the center forward position. Tulsa scored enough to win matches and make the USL Championship Playoffs, but it can never hurt to have more goals in a competitive Central Division in 2021.
Enter U.S. international striker Jerome Kiesewetter.
The center forward who scored 10 goals in his first 10 career USL Championship matches in 2019 will take the pitch for Tulsa this season looking to continue his assault on the league record book.
While FC Tulsa had plenty of firepower in 2020, the biggest offseason splash came at the center forward position. Tulsa scored enough to win matches and make the USL Championship Playoffs, but it can never hurt to have more goals in a competitive Central Division in 2021.
Enter U.S. international striker Jerome Kiesewetter.
The center forward who scored 10 goals in his first 10 career USL Championship matches in 2019 will take the pitch for Tulsa this season looking to continue his assault on the league record book.
His addition to an already potent group of wingers such as returners Darío Suárez and Marlon Santos, along with fellow newcomer Joaquín Rivas, gives FC Tulsa a frontline that rivals the best in the Central Division.
So, what secret sauce can Jerome bring to the FC Tulsa offense in 2021?
“At the end of the day, the whole team scores goals,” said Kiesewetter. “Maybe, I’m more likely to do so because I play closer to the goal, but this whole team can score. I’m here to score, though. That’s why coach brought me in and puts me in that position. We have to score to win, but it takes the whole team. We have to create chances, and us guys up front have to finish them.”
For Kiesewetter, the recipe for goalscoring success comes down to the team developing chemistry on the pitch, which will be built throughout the six-week long preseason.
“It’s chemistry and positioning,” said Kiesewetter. “We have to get to know each other and play to each other’s strengths. We have to spend time on the pitch together, building chemistry and scoring goals. We have to create chances and score. We have to score to win, but it takes the whole team. We have to create chances, and us guys up front have to finish them.”
His addition to an already potent group of wingers such as returners Darío Suárez and Marlon Santos, along with fellow newcomer Joaquín Rivas, gives FC Tulsa a frontline that rivals the best in the Central Division.
So, what secret sauce can Jerome bring to the FC Tulsa offense in 2021?
“At the end of the day, the whole team scores goals,” said Kiesewetter. “Maybe, I’m more likely to do so because I play closer to the goal, but this whole team can score. I’m here to score, though. That’s why coach brought me in and puts me in that position. We have to score to win, but it takes the whole team. We have to create chances, and us guys up front have to finish them.”
For Kiesewetter, the recipe for goalscoring success comes down to the team developing chemistry on the pitch, which will be built throughout the six-week long preseason.
“It’s chemistry and positioning,” said Kiesewetter. “We have to get to know each other and play to each other’s strengths. We have to spend time on the pitch together, building chemistry and scoring goals. We have to create chances and score. We have to score to win, but it takes the whole team. We have to create chances, and us guys up front have to finish them.”
4) CAN RODRIGO DA COSTA KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING?
4) CAN RODRIGO DA COSTA KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING?
No one on FC Tulsa may have been affected more by the COVID-19 in 2020 than midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. Coming off an amazing debut USL Championship season in 2019 where he was named an All-League player, da Costa had a roller coaster 2020. He scored FC Tulsa’s first and only goal before the pandemic struck in March and again scored the club’s first goal when the season re-started in July.
Looking like he may be in line for another All-League season, da Costa proceeded to go the next 12 consecutive matches without scoring, something that never happened in 2019.
No one on FC Tulsa may have been affected more by the COVID-19 in 2020 than midfielder Rodrigo da Costa. Coming off an amazing debut USL Championship season in 2019 where he was named an All-League player, da Costa had a roller coaster 2020. He scored FC Tulsa’s first and only goal before the pandemic struck in March and again scored the club’s first goal when the season re-started in July.
Looking like he may be in line for another All-League season, da Costa proceeded to go the next 12 consecutive matches without scoring, something that never happened in 2019.
“I had some definite personal issues during COVID, not just with my wife but in Brazil too,” said da Costa. “That sometimes took me away from the game mentally, but these last couple months I’ve been working on my mindset, trying to separate things and leave my problems off the field when I step on it. I think I’ve found the right mindset, but that’s no excuse for what happens with my performance on the field.”
Looking like it was going to be a lost season, da Costa rediscovered his form in the season finale, scoring a goal. He then added another one in Tulsa’s playoff loss to El Paso, bookending his season with two goals in the first two matches and two in the final two. That momentum could be the ticket to a big 2021 for da Costa.
“I had a lot better confidence towards the end of the season,” said da Costa. “Now, I hope I can keep that confidence and help the team and bring success this preseason so we can get better as a team. Hopefully we can start hot and on the right foot, so we can build something special this year.”
“I had some definite personal issues during COVID, not just with my wife but in Brazil too,” said da Costa. “That sometimes took me away from the game mentally, but these last couple months I’ve been working on my mindset, trying to separate things and leave my problems off the field when I step on it. I think I’ve found the right mindset, but that’s no excuse for what happens with my performance on the field.”
Looking like it was going to be a lost season, da Costa rediscovered his form in the season finale, scoring a goal. He then added another one in Tulsa’s playoff loss to El Paso, bookending his season with two goals in the first two matches and two in the final two. That momentum could be the ticket to a big 2021 for da Costa.
“I had a lot better confidence towards the end of the season,” said da Costa. “Now, I hope I can keep that confidence and help the team and bring success this preseason so we can get better as a team. Hopefully we can start hot and on the right foot, so we can build something special this year.”
5) WOULD KEVIN GARCIA CELEBRATE A GOAL AGAINST HOUSTON DYNAMO?
5) WOULD KEVIN GARCIA CELEBRATE A GOAL AGAINST HOUSTON DYNAMO?
FC Tulsa’s preseason kicks off in a big way with a match against Houston Dynamo FC of MLS on Wednesday, March 24, and one man on the Tulsa touchline will have a different view of the Dynamo.
Garcia was a member of the Dynamo from 2017-2019, contributing to a U.S. Open Cup title while making 30 MLS appearances. The preseason match will be his first match against his former club.
Will Garcia stand by soccer tradition and withhold a goal celly against a former club, or will the defender break out a move?
FC Tulsa’s preseason kicks off in a big way with a match against Houston Dynamo FC of MLS on Wednesday, March 24, and one man on the Tulsa touchline will have a different view of the Dynamo.
Garcia was a member of the Dynamo from 2017-2019, contributing to a U.S. Open Cup title while making 30 MLS appearances. The preseason match will be his first match against his former club.
Will Garcia stand by soccer tradition and withhold a goal celly against a former club, or will the defender break out a move?
“I think I’d go with a celebration,” said Garcia with a laugh. “I don’t score too many goals, so I think I’d have something prepared to go if I scored. I’m itching to get back to Houston, to get in front of them and give them a good competitive match. Eric [Bird], Bradley [Bourgeois] and I have already spoken about it, so we’re excited to get back there, and if either of us scores a goal, we’ll have something ready.”
Bourgeois and Bird don’t have the playing history that Garcia does with Houston, but each was signed by the Dynamo before being loaned to RGVFC. Garcia, on the other hand, did mention that he has been keeping up with his former teammates and friends over the offseason through text and social media, and is excited to play against them this Spring.
“I think I’d go with a celebration,” said Garcia with a laugh. “I don’t score too many goals, so I think I’d have something prepared to go if I scored. I’m itching to get back to Houston, to get in front of them and give them a good competitive match. Eric [Bird], Bradley [Bourgeois] and I have already spoken about it, so we’re excited to get back there, and if either of us scores a goal, we’ll have something ready.”
Bourgeois and Bird don’t have the playing history that Garcia does with Houston, but each was signed by the Dynamo before being loaned to RGVFC. Garcia, on the other hand, did mention that he has been keeping up with his former teammates and friends over the offseason through text and social media, and is excited to play against them this Spring.
