Mendoza Becomes the Youngest Player in Franchise History to Sign with FC Tulsa
Mendoza Becomes the Youngest Player in Franchise History to Sign with FC Tulsa
TULSA – FC Tulsa history has been made. The club has inked 14-year-old Tulsa native Renan Mendoza to an Academy deal for the 2023 USL Championship season, making Mendoza the youngest player in franchise history to sign a contract with FC Tulsa.
The Union High School freshman concluded the 2022 season as an FC Tulsa trialist and rejoined the squad for its 2023 preseason campaign. Mendoza caught the eye of new gaffer Blair Gavin and FC Tulsa subsequently awarded Mendoza with the club’s first Academy contract offer of the season.
“Renan is someone who at his young age shows a lot of composure and joy for the game,” said FC Tulsa head coach Blair Gavin. “We are excited to work with him and help him to develop his skills moving forward.”
Born on June 30, 2008, Mendoza joined Tulsa Soccer Club (TSC) in 2017 where he has competed at the youth level for the past seven years and led his squad in scoring each season.
In addition to his time at TSC, Mendoza was named to the U-15 United States Futsal National Team to compete in Lisbon, Portugal in 2022. The attacking midfielder also participated in the 2021 Portimão International Cup held in Portugal where he represented Cadence FC with six goals and two assists in six matches en route to a fourth-place finish.
“I am excited about the opportunity of playing with experienced pro players and trying to learn as much as I can from them on and off the pitch,” said Mendoza. “When I first started training, I was timid and nervous, but as the training sessions went on, the players around me were making me feel comfortable and giving good advice that helped improve my game. I also would like to thank God, my family, my coaches, TSC and Tulsa Soccer Academy, and Coach John Michael who’s helped me since I was eight.”
FC Tulsa is set to open the 2023 USL Championship campaign with two matches on the road, the first of which will take place on March 11, before its home opener on March 25 vs. Loudoun United FC.
Tickets to the Home Opener can be purchased here.
FC Tulsa 2023 Roster:
Goalkeepers: Dallas Odle, Austin Wormell
Defenders: Angel Bernal, Bradley Bourgeois, Chase Bromstedt, Jorge Corrales, Brett Levis, Justin Malou, Ruxi
Midfielders: Eric Bird, Rodrigo da Costa, Collin Fernandez, Blaine Ferri, Renan Mendoza, Christopher Pearson, Luca Sowinski
Forwards: Moses Dyer, Marcus Epps, Siad Haji, Watz Leazard, Darío Suárez, Milo Yosef
