TULSA – Two of FC Tulsa’s key pieces over its last two Playoffs campaigns are back in gold in 2022. Midfielder Eric Bird and goalkeeper Sean Lewis will return to the FC Tulsa roster after signing multi-year deals last offseason. While both players fought injuries throughout 2021 that caused each to miss matches, both are critical pieces of FC Tulsa’s spine in the center of the pitch.
Over the past two seasons, Bird has been the pivot man in Tulsa’s central midfield, playing in 39 total matches for FC Tulsa. One of the best ball winners in the league, Bird has finished in the top 12 in each of the past two seasons in the USL Championship in tackles won, and that includes missing eight matches in 2021 with an injury.
Even while missing a quarter of the 2021 season, Bird led FC Tulsa in tackles and tackles won and finished fourth in interceptions. He took home the club’s Community Man of the Year award at the end of the season for his work around Tulsa.
Lewis logged a career season in 2020 with FC Tulsa, winning Team MVP and posting a career-best save pct. of 78.5%. Over the last two seasons, Lewis has posted seven clean sheets while earning 23 results in his 32 total matches in net during the FC Tulsa-era of the club. His 21 wins in net since the start of 2019 for Tulsa are the most for any Tulsa keeper in franchise history.
In 2021, the Michigan native was only able to play in 17 matches after suffering an injury in preseason that never healed and required offseason surgery. Now healthy, Lewis is ready to return between the posts for FC Tulsa the coming season.
Bird and Lewis are the first two players officially announced to FC Tulsa’s 2022 USL Championship roster. More player announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks. Follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or download the FC Tulsa App to stay tuned to all the latest news on Oklahoma’s pro soccer team.
Head Coach Michael Nsien
“Eric Bird for two seasons has been the engine of our team. Despite some injuries last season, he still had a good year. When Eric wasn’t available the team missed his presence and qualities on the field. We look forward to him having a great offseason and coming back at his very best. Sean was also hampered by injuries last year, but we all know from his 2020 season, a healthy Sean Lewis is among the very top of goalkeepers in the USL.”
Midfielder Eric Bird
“It’s year three, and I can honestly say I have adopted Tulsa as a home away from home,” said Bird. “The city, the people, the history, I am excited to continue to build a relationship with the community and have an impact on and off the field. On the pitch, we all know we have unfinished business, and I am anxious to get back at it and build on the foundation of success we’ve laid. There is absolutely a chip on my shoulder from last year, and I know the team and fans share that as well, so that’s what we will use to propel us next year and work towards what this community deserves – a championship title.”
Goalkeeper Sean Lewis
“I am so pleased to be able to continue to call Tulsa my home! From the owners, to the staff, to the fans, everyone involved with the club has been so good to me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to return for a fourth year. I am excited to work towards bringing even more success to the club that has treated me so well.”
TULSA – Two of FC Tulsa’s key pieces over its last two Playoffs campaigns are back in gold in 2022. Midfielder Eric Bird and goalkeeper Sean Lewis will return to the FC Tulsa roster after signing multi-year deals last offseason. While both players fought injuries throughout 2021 that caused each to miss matches, both are critical pieces of FC Tulsa’s spine in the center of the pitch.
Over the past two seasons, Bird has been the pivot man in Tulsa’s central midfield, playing in 39 total matches for FC Tulsa. One of the best ball winners in the league, Bird has finished in the top 12 in each of the past two seasons in the USL Championship in tackles won, and that includes missing eight matches in 2021 with an injury.
Even while missing a quarter of the 2021 season, Bird led FC Tulsa in tackles and tackles won and finished fourth in interceptions. He took home the club’s Community Man of the Year award at the end of the season for his work around Tulsa.
Lewis logged a career season in 2020 with FC Tulsa, winning Team MVP and posting a career-best save pct. of 78.5%. Over the last two seasons, Lewis has posted seven clean sheets while earning 23 results in his 32 total matches in net during the FC Tulsa-era of the club. His 21 wins in net since the start of 2019 for Tulsa are the most for any Tulsa keeper in franchise history.
In 2021, the Michigan native was only able to play in 17 matches after suffering an injury in preseason that never healed and required offseason surgery. Now healthy, Lewis is ready to return between the posts for FC Tulsa the coming season.
Bird and Lewis are the first two players officially announced to FC Tulsa’s 2022 USL Championship roster. More player announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks. Follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or download the FC Tulsa App to stay tuned to all the latest news on Oklahoma’s pro soccer team.
Head Coach Michael Nsien
“Eric Bird for two seasons has been the engine of our team. Despite some injuries last season, he still had a good year. When Eric wasn’t available the team missed his presence and qualities on the field. We look forward to him having a great offseason and coming back at his very best. Sean was also hampered by injuries last year, but we all know from his 2020 season, a healthy Sean Lewis is among the very top of goalkeepers in the USL.”
Midfielder Eric Bird
“It’s year three, and I can honestly say I have adopted Tulsa as a home away from home,” said Bird. “The city, the people, the history, I am excited to continue to build a relationship with the community and have an impact on and off the field. On the pitch, we all know we have unfinished business, and I am anxious to get back at it and build on the foundation of success we’ve laid. There is absolutely a chip on my shoulder from last year, and I know the team and fans share that as well, so that’s what we will use to propel us next year and work towards what this community deserves – a championship title.”
Goalkeeper Sean Lewis
“I am so pleased to be able to continue to call Tulsa my home! From the owners, to the staff, to the fans, everyone involved with the club has been so good to me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to return for a fourth year. I am excited to work towards bringing even more success to the club that has treated me so well.”
