Honduran Scored 11 Goals in 15 Matches in 2021 Liga Nacional Apertura Season
TULSA – FC Tulsa is adding one of Honduras’ best scorers to its 2022 attack. The club has signed Honduran forward “Machuca” to its 2022 roster, pending league and federation approval. Marlon Roberto Ramírez Aráuz, who goes by Machuca, is coming off a career-best 2021 calendar year that included finishing second in Honduras’ Liga Nacional Apertura Golden Boot race with 11 goals in 15 matches for Lobos de la UPNFM this past Autumn.
His biggest moment of 2021 came early in the season when the 27-year-old former CD Marathón forward scored the equalizer in a 2-2 draw against MLS’ Portland Timbers in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
Machuca has spent the bulk of his pro career in Liga Nacional, the top-flight league in Honduras, with several clubs including Marathón, UPNFM, and F.C. Montagua. Alongside league play, he’s made four Champions League appearances throughout his career, in which he has scored twice. As a young player, Machuca earned four caps for the Honduran U20 National Team and was named to the U23 National Team.
In 2018, Machuca helped lead Marathón to the Liga Nacional title with 27 appearances for the club that season and started a Supercopa de Honduras match for Marathón as well.
“Machuca’s profile is one that I will always want in my teams,” said head coach Michael Nsien. “He’s very quick over the first 10 yards with the ball. He’s decisive and can beat players 1v1, but he’s intelligent enough to know when to slow down the attack and allow his teammates to take better positions. Machuca can play in every attacking position on the field and be a threat. I expect Machuca to score and create chances for us.”
The 2022 season won’t be the first in the USL Championship for Machuca. As an 18-year-old, the Honduran made one appearance in 2014 with Charleston Battery. He also spent a portion of the 2013 season in the MLS Reserve League with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 and part of the 2018 season in the Egyptian Premier League with Enppi SC.
“I want to thank God for His blessings,” said Machuca. “His word says, ‘Cry out to me and I will answer you,’ and He has heard my prayers. I thank Him for this new opportunity that He’s given me. Thanks to my family, friends, and to Lobos de la UPNFM who opened the doors for me. Thanks to Tulsa, my new home team, for opening the door to this new challenge that I am joyfully looking forward to. I have all the desire and enthusiasm to do things well, and I will win over the Tulsa fans and make them proud.”
Machuca joins Darío Suárez and Rodrigo da Costa as forwards announced to FC Tulsa’s 2022 roster.
2022 FC Tulsa Roster
Keepers: Sean Lewis, Austin Wormell
Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois, Jorge Corrales, Johnny Fenwick, Matheus Silva
Midfielders: Eric Bird, Kembo Kibato, Lebo Moloto, Ciaran Winters, Petar Čuić
Forwards: Darío Suárez, Rodrigo da Costa, Machuca
