Hughes, Bird, Epps all Receive Honors
Hughes, Bird, Epps all Receive Honors
TULSA – Three FC Tulsa players were named to the Week 26 Team of the Week by the USL Championship on Tuesday afternoon. Keegan Hughes, Eric Bird, and Marcus Epps all received the honor following Tulsa’s 2-1 win over San Antonio FC on Sunday.
Hughes made just his second start for FC Tulsa on Sunday since being acquired on loan by the club from Columbus Crew in early August. The center-back won all five of his attempted tackles, won seven of his 10 aerial duels, and six of 10 duels on the ground. In addition, Hughes made seven clearances, nine recoveries, and two interceptions.
Eric Bird, the Man of the Match as voted on by the fans, accounted for FC Tulsa’s opening goal in the 14’ minute and later assisted Marcus Epps’ score to boot. Defensively, the Tulsa captain won all six of his tackles while completing 70% of his passes.
Forward Marcus Epps was credited with the assist on Bird’s early goal, then capped the evening with his eighth goal of the season to secure all three points for Tulsa. Epps tallied three shots total, putting two on target, and connected on 73% of his passes as well.
The Team of the Week awards mark the first of the current campaign for Hughes, the second for Bird, and the third for Epps.
The last time three or more FC Tulsa players appeared alongside one another in a single Team of the Week dates back to Week 19 of the 2021 season.
FC Tulsa is back in action on Saturday when the club hosts Phoenix Rising FC on Vamos Tulsa Night at ONEOK Field. Tickets to the match are available here.
FC Tulsa 2023 Team of the Week Awards:
Week 3 – Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps
Week 4 – Brett Levis
Week 10 – Eric Bird
Week 12 – Phillip Goodrum
Week 13 – Michael Nelson
Week 17 – Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week)
Week 19 – Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week), Marcus Epps
Week 20 – Phillip Goodrum, Adam Armour
Week 26 – Keegan Hughes, Eric Bird, Marcus Epps
