TULSA – We are back for Part Two of our FC Tulsa Midseason Watch List, where we analyze the races for some key end of the season awards! In today’s edition, we will highlight some individuals who have stood out on the defensive side of the ball and might be in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year.
Let’s jump right in.
FRONT RUNNER – Eric Bird
“Wait,” you say, “He’s not a defender!” True, but let’s see what the numbers tell us.
Did you know that midfielder Eric Bird currently leads FC Tulsa in total tackles and tackles won? In fact, he ranks 16th overall in the USL Championship in tackles won. He’s also tied for third in interceptions and is third in duels won on the team, constantly winning back possession for FC Tulsa.
In FC Tulsa’s defensive half, Bird has a pass percentage near 90%, despite having the second most passes on the team this season.
The most telling stat might be this final one – when Bird plays a full 90 minutes, FC Tulsa is 4-1-1 in 2021. After experiencing a head injury early in the season that caused him to miss two matches, Bird has played in every other match, starting each of the last 11.
RUNNER UP – Bradley Bourgeois
FC Tulsa’s captain and reigning Defensive Player of the Year has had a solid start to 2021. Bourgeois is second on the team in interceptions, second in blocks and third in clearances, even while missing five matches this summer due to injury. He’s won 58% of his duels this year and 60% of his aerial duels, winning possession for FC Tulsa on 50/50 balls.
His versatility should be noted as well as Bourgeois has lined up at both center back and right back throughout the season.
Bourgeois has also chipped in offensively on occasion, with one assist in 2021. While it won’t go down in the scoresheet, his never give up attitude directly resulted in Marlon’s match winner on Saturday over Birmingham when Bourgeois kept the ball alive, despite falling to the ground in the chaos.
HONORABLE MENTION – Jorge Corrales
FC Tulsa’s locked in starting left back from MLS has looked the part for most of the 2021 season. Corrales leads the team in interceptions, is fourth in tackles and is fourth in clearances. His pace and effort on the left side routinely cause problems for opposing teams no matter what side of the pitch the ball is on.
Corrales has missed three matches representing Cuba in both World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup, but has started every other match this season for FC Tulsa. Offensively, he’s got two assists this season, one in each of the first two matches, and has created the second most chances on the team with 13, behind Rodrigo da Costa.
DARK HORSE – Matt Sheldon
FC Tulsa re-signing Matt Sheldon this past offseason might have flown under the radar when considering all of the other moves made to bolster the defense this offseason. On paper, it may have seemed like Sheldon was on the outside of the Starting XI looking in, but his versatility, combined with injuries and international absences, has meant Sheldon has started 15 of the 16 matches.
He’s played left wing, right wing, left back and his natural right back at different points this season. The Bellevue, Wash. Native ranks first on the club in aerial duels won, second in totals duels, third in blocks and third in interceptions in 2021. On the offensive end, he’s recorded two assists and even bagged his first professional goal in FC Tulsa’s win on Saturday.
Don’t count out Sheldon in this race, especially if he continues to chip in all over the pitch.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Watch List where we look at who had the best first half of the season amongst the new faces to FC Tulsa.
TULSA – We are back for Part Two of our FC Tulsa Midseason Watch List, where we analyze the races for some key end of the season awards! In today’s edition, we will highlight some individuals who have stood out on the defensive side of the ball and might be in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year.
Let’s jump right in.
FRONT RUNNER – Eric Bird
“Wait,” you say, “He’s not a defender!” True, but let’s see what the numbers tell us.
Did you know that midfielder Eric Bird currently leads FC Tulsa in total tackles and tackles won? In fact, he ranks 16th overall in the USL Championship in tackles won. He’s also tied for third in interceptions and is third in duels won on the team, constantly winning back possession for FC Tulsa.
In FC Tulsa’s defensive half, Bird has a pass percentage near 90%, despite having the second most passes on the team this season.
The most telling stat might be this final one – when Bird plays a full 90 minutes, FC Tulsa is 4-1-1 in 2021. After experiencing a head injury early in the season that caused him to miss two matches, Bird has played in every other match, starting each of the last 11.
RUNNER UP – Bradley Bourgeois
FC Tulsa’s captain and reigning Defensive Player of the Year has had a solid start to 2021. Bourgeois is second on the team in interceptions, second in blocks and third in clearances, even while missing five matches this summer due to injury. He’s won 58% of his duels this year and 60% of his aerial duels, winning possession for FC Tulsa on 50/50 balls.
His versatility should be noted as well as Bourgeois has lined up at both center back and right back throughout the season.
Bourgeois has also chipped in offensively on occasion, with one assist in 2021. While it won’t go down in the scoresheet, his never give up attitude directly resulted in Marlon’s match winner on Saturday over Birmingham when Bourgeois kept the ball alive, despite falling to the ground in the chaos.
HONORABLE MENTION – Jorge Corrales
FC Tulsa’s locked in starting left back from MLS has looked the part for most of the 2021 season. Corrales leads the team in interceptions, is fourth in tackles and is fourth in clearances. His pace and effort on the left side routinely cause problems for opposing teams no matter what side of the pitch the ball is on.
Corrales has missed three matches representing Cuba in both World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup, but has started every other match this season for FC Tulsa. Offensively, he’s got two assists this season, one in each of the first two matches, and has created the second most chances on the team with 13, behind Rodrigo da Costa.
DARK HORSE – Matt Sheldon
FC Tulsa re-signing Matt Sheldon this past offseason might have flown under the radar when considering all of the other moves made to bolster the defense this offseason. On paper, it may have seemed like Sheldon was on the outside of the Starting XI looking in, but his versatility, combined with injuries and international absences, has meant Sheldon has started 15 of the 16 matches.
He’s played left wing, right wing, left back and his natural right back at different points this season. The Bellevue, Wash. Native ranks first on the club in aerial duels won, second in totals duels, third in blocks and third in interceptions in 2021. On the offensive end, he’s recorded two assists and even bagged his first professional goal in FC Tulsa’s win on Saturday.
Don’t count out Sheldon in this race, especially if he continues to chip in all over the pitch.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Watch List where we look at who had the best first half of the season amongst the new faces to FC Tulsa.
