Winners Were Chosen by a Combination of Fan Vote, Coach Vote, and Player Vote
TULSA – As is tradition at FC Tulsa, the End of the Year Player Awards ceremony was held earlier this week at Cabin Boys Brewery to honor seven individual players for their club contributions in 2022. The winner of each award was voted on by fans, the FC Tulsa coaching staff, and the players themselves.
The awards voted on included the #ForTulsa Community Man of the Year, Young Player of the Year (U-23), Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Unsung Hero, Goal of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. Below are the winners:
#ForTulsa Community Man of the Year – Adrián Diz Pe
Adrián Diz Pe was named the #ForTulsa Community Man of the Year after a season in which the center-back attended several community events and always went out of his way to make everyone feel welcome in just his first year living in Tulsa.
Diz Pe always made an effort to include everyone at events, made a genuine connection with those in attendance, and shared the importance of community involvement with FC Tulsa.
Diz Pe was presented the award by last years Community Man of the Year award winner, Eric Bird.
Young Player of the Year – Kembo Kibato
Kembo Kibato won last season’s Newcomer of the Year award and followed it up with 2022’s Young Player of the Year award.
Kibato made 28 appearances for FC Tulsa with a career-high 18 starts. The 22 year old lineup up as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and left-back last season while creating nine scoring chances in total. He also finished the season with the highest passing accuracy mark on the club.
Defensive Player of the Year – Bradley Bourgeois
The Defensive Player of the Year award once again goes to captain Bradley Bourgeois, the winner of the award in 2021 as well.
Bourgeois led FC Tulsa in blocks, ranked second in interceptions, and third in clearances while winning over two-thirds of his duels throughout the season.
His impressive career continued throughout last season as the native Texan played through injuries at a very high level, and Bourgeois’ communication across the backline is second-to-none.
Offensive Player of the Year – Darío Suárez
FC Tulsa’s 2022 Offensive Player of the Year award goes to the Cuban Darío Suárez who always seems to give the club a jump start when its needed.
Suárez finished tied for the club lead in 2022 with nine goals while logging five assists, the top mark at FC Tulsa. By the end of the season, Suárez rose up the all-time Tulsa soccer rankings and now finds himself tied for second in franchise history in both goals (27) and assists (10).
Suárez also remained perfect from the penalty spot once again in 2022 – he has never missed a penalty kick for Tulsa and leads the club in PKs scored (6) and conversion pct. (100%).
Unsung Hero – Eric Bird
Eric Bird is one of the most stable midfield presences in the USL Championship. Whether he has the ball at his feet or he is getting into position to swipe it from his opponent, Bird proved to be a pivotal piece for FC Tulsa once again in 2022.
Bird finished the season with one goal and three assists while also finishing top-three in interceptions, tackles attempted, and tackles won on the club.
His midfield play both sparked fast breaks for FC Tulsa and stopped them for the opposition while his leadership and organization was crucial both on and off the pitch.
Goal of the Year – Machuca
Machuca’s goal vs. Birmingham Legion FC on March 19 was named FC Tulsa’s goal of the year.
After the Birmingham keeper abandoned his net to add an extra player into the box on a 90+3′ minute free kick opportunity, Suárez came away with the ball and set Machuca free down the pitch. Machuca had one man to beat on his break and rainbowed a shot from 35 yards out into the back of the net, securing the 3-1 Tulsa victory.
Machuca would finish the season with three goals before his 2022 campaign was cut short due to injury.
Most Valuable Player – Austin Wormell
Austin Wormell, who did not even begin the 2022 season as FC Tulsa’s starting goalkeeper, was named the club’s MVP.
Wormell racked up three USL Championship Team of the Week awards, including the title of Player of the Week back in Week 24. The Tulsa native finished third in the league with a 75.8% save pct. while making 71 saves, the ninth-most in the USL Championship.
At only 24 years old, it is safe to say Wormell is one of the top goalkeepers in the league.
