Fernandez Aided 2017 Squad to First Playoff Appearance in Club History
TULSA – A familiar face is making his return to Tulsa in 2023. The club has signed its former 2017 midfielder and 2018 USL Championship Western Conference champion Collin Fernandez to a multi-year deal ahead of next season.
Fernandez, the 25-year-old midfielder from Illinois, was a critical part of FC Tulsa’s 2017 squad that reached the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. He logged one assist in 28 appearances while playing a defensive role and concluded the campaign with an 86.6% passing accuracy mark and a 58.3% duel win rate.
“Collin is unique in the fact that he’s a true box-to-box midfielder,” said FC Tulsa head coach Blair Gavin. “Defensively, he’s feisty, he gets into duels, and he’s someone that’s relentless when it comes to trying to get the ball back. Offensively, he has the vision and composure to play final passes or create chances himself. We’re very excited to have him.”
Fernandez re-joins FC Tulsa off the heels of a tremendous 2022 season in which he appeared 24 times for Sporting Kansas City II in MLS Next Pro. Fernandez was awarded the captain’s armband on 19 occasions as he set a single-season career-high record with four assists to pair with one goal scored. Defensively, Fernandez won 59% of his duels and averaged 3.67 interceptions per 90 minutes played.
Despite his young age, Fernandez has plenty of professional experience. He kicked off his career as the fifth homegrown signing in Chicago Fire history back in 2014 and made a handful of MLS appearances for the Fire between the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Over his USL Championship career consisting of stints with Austin Bold FC, Phoenix Rising FC, Saint Louis FC, Tacoma Defiance, FC Tulsa, and Louisville City FC, Fernandez has amassed 113 appearances with eight goals and seven assists. In 2018, Fernandez won the Western Conference with Phoenix Rising FC and was a member of the club in 2019 when it won 20 consecutive matches, a USL Championship record.
In addition to his domestic career, Fernandez has capped seven times for the United States U18 squad and five more times for the U20 team. Fernandez elected to instead represent Peru internationally in 2016 and made two appearances for its U20 side as well.
“When I heard of all the special things going on in Tulsa, I knew it’s where I wanted to be,” said Fernandez. “I can’t wait to get to work with the staff and my future teammates. See you soon FC Tulsa fans, I’m stoked to be back on your side!”
Collin Fernandez joins Bradley Bourgeois and Marcus Epps as players named to FC Tulsa’s 2023 roster thus far.
FC Tulsa 2023 Roster
Goalkeepers:
Defenders: Bradley Bourgeois
Midfielders: Collin Fernandez
Forwards: Marcus Epps
