TULSA – Joaquín Rivas is on fire, and the nation is taking notice. On Tuesday morning, the USL Championship announced that Rivas was named the Player of the Week for Week 3, following his two-goal performance in FC Tulsa’s 2-0 win over Indy Eleven on Saturday night. Not only did the two goals give Rivas the early lead in the league’s Golden Boot race, but the brace also made the Salvadoran international FC Tulsa’s all-time leading goalscorer with 21 career goals in a Tulsa uniform. Rivas won Player of the Week going away, receiving 72 percent of the vote from a National Media Panel.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Rivas. “After not getting [Player of the Week] Week 1, it made me even hungrier to get it this time. I knew I had to do it again, and to get three points and player of the week is awesome. I’m very excited to get this honor.”
In addition to Rivas’ honor, FC Tulsa captain Bradley Bourgeois was named to his second consecutive USL Championship Team of the Week. The defender registered an assist on Rivas’ opening goal against Indy and dominated defensively in the shutout, winning eight of 13 duels and six of eight aerial duels. He also led FC Tulsa with two blocks, helping keeper Sean Lewis to his second clean sheet of the season.
“I know it’s an individual award, but it’s not possible without the team,” said Bourgeois. “It comes with team success. It’s good to see guys getting recognized, and to be honest with you I’m happier to see Joaquín [Rivas] get Player of the Week. It’s all about the team.”
It’s been a stellar start to Rivas’ second stint in Tulsa through just three matches in 2021. Already this season, Rivas has recorded his 100th career USL Championship appearance, broken the Black Gold Derby’s all-time scoring record, broken the FC Tulsa franchise scoring record and now has earned his first career Player of the Week honor.
“It’s good to see players getting accolades,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “I know our guys love to put the team first, and they’ll mention this is why they’ve got awards. With what we’re doing and the success we’re having, we expect players to get put into the limelight. We want to keep our heads down and work, though. We want to be humble, but to keep getting our guys promoted. Bradley has been a great leader for us, and he’s a big part of the success we’re having. I’m very happy to see him getting this award. With Joaquín, we feel like he’s been one of the top players in the league this season. It’s good to see him getting the recognition he deserves.”
Rivas is the fifth Tulsa player in the club’s seven-year history to win a USL Championship Player of the Week award and the first since FC Dallas loanee Jesus Ferreira in Week 26 of the 2018 season. With Rivas and Bourgeois’ inclusion on the Team of the Week, FC Tulsa is the only club in the league to have multiple players on each of the first two Championship Teams of the Week in 2021.
FC Tulsa has a bye week this week before continuing its roadtrip next Wednesday, May 19 against Atlanta United 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
TULSA – Joaquín Rivas is on fire, and the nation is taking notice. On Tuesday morning, the USL Championship announced that Rivas was named the Player of the Week for Week 3, following his two-goal performance in FC Tulsa’s 2-0 win over Indy Eleven on Saturday night. Not only did the two goals give Rivas the early lead in the league’s Golden Boot race, but the brace also made the Salvadoran international FC Tulsa’s all-time leading goalscorer with 21 career goals in a Tulsa uniform. Rivas won Player of the Week going away, receiving 72 percent of the vote from a National Media Panel.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Rivas. “After not getting [Player of the Week] Week 1, it made me even hungrier to get it this time. I knew I had to do it again, and to get three points and player of the week is awesome. I’m very excited to get this honor.”
In addition to Rivas’ honor, FC Tulsa captain Bradley Bourgeois was named to his second consecutive USL Championship Team of the Week. The defender registered an assist on Rivas’ opening goal against Indy and dominated defensively in the shutout, winning eight of 13 duels and six of eight aerial duels. He also led FC Tulsa with two blocks, helping keeper Sean Lewis to his second clean sheet of the season.
“I know it’s an individual award, but it’s not possible without the team,” said Bourgeois. “It comes with team success. It’s good to see guys getting recognized, and to be honest with you I’m happier to see Joaquín [Rivas] get Player of the Week. It’s all about the team.”
It’s been a stellar start to Rivas’ second stint in Tulsa through just three matches in 2021. Already this season, Rivas has recorded his 100th career USL Championship appearance, broken the Black Gold Derby’s all-time scoring record, broken the FC Tulsa franchise scoring record and now has earned his first career Player of the Week honor.
“It’s good to see players getting accolades,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “I know our guys love to put the team first, and they’ll mention this is why they’ve got awards. With what we’re doing and the success we’re having, we expect players to get put into the limelight. We want to keep our heads down and work, though. We want to be humble, but to keep getting our guys promoted. Bradley has been a great leader for us, and he’s a big part of the success we’re having. I’m very happy to see him getting this award. With Joaquín, we feel like he’s been one of the top players in the league this season. It’s good to see him getting the recognition he deserves.”
Rivas is the fifth Tulsa player in the club’s seven-year history to win a USL Championship Player of the Week award and the first since FC Dallas loanee Jesus Ferreira in Week 26 of the 2018 season. With Rivas and Bourgeois’ inclusion on the Team of the Week, FC Tulsa is the only club in the league to have multiple players on each of the first two Championship Teams of the Week in 2021.
FC Tulsa has a bye week this week before continuing its roadtrip next Wednesday, May 19 against Atlanta United 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
