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TAMPA – League honors are already rolling in for the team at the top of the USL Championship table. FC Tulsa defenders Jorge Corrales and Bradley Bourgeois were named to the league’s first 11-member Team of the Week of the campaign for their performance in Saturday’s 2-0 shutout win over Sporting KC II. Midfielder Rodrigo da Costa also received honorable mention, appearing on the Team of the Week bench.

Corrales has starred for FC Tulsa on the backline through two regular season matches, recording an assist in each contest. The Cuban left back’s cross to da Costa, setting up FC Tulsa’s first goal against Sporting KC II, made him one of just two players this year to already have multiple assists. That assist was one of three key passes on the evening for Corrales, who also put in a stout defensive shift in Saturday’s victory. He won nine of 10 duels and recorded four interceptions while completing 35 of his 42 passes.  

On the right side of the backline, Bourgeois was just as strong. The FC Tulsa captain completed all four of his tackles, made five interceptions and performed 15 defensive recoveries, all of which led the team. He chipped in offensively as well, completing two crosses and recording one key pass.

While da Costa wasn’t included in the USL Championship’s Team of the Week, the midfielder did score a goal and add an assist in FC Tulsa’s home opener to receive honorable mention.

The Team of the Week honors come one day after forward Joaquín Rivas was nominated as one of five finalists for the USL Championship’s Goal of the Week for Weeks 1 and 2 after his beautiful looping goal against OKC Energy FC on April 24. The Goal of the Week is a fan-voted honor, and the winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon.

TAMPA – League honors are already rolling in for the team at the top of the USL Championship table. FC Tulsa defenders Jorge Corrales and Bradley Bourgeois were named to the league’s first 11-member Team of the Week of the campaign for their performance in Saturday’s 2-0 shutout win over Sporting KC II. Midfielder Rodrigo da Costa also received honorable mention, appearing on the Team of the Week bench.

Corrales has starred for FC Tulsa on the backline through two regular season matches, recording an assist in each contest. The Cuban left back’s cross to da Costa, setting up FC Tulsa’s first goal against Sporting KC II, made him one of just two players this year to already have multiple assists. That assist was one of three key passes on the evening for Corrales, who also put in a stout defensive shift in Saturday’s victory. He won nine of 10 duels and recorded four interceptions while completing 35 of his 42 passes.  

On the right side of the backline, Bourgeois was just as strong. The FC Tulsa captain completed all four of his tackles, made five interceptions and performed 15 defensive recoveries, all of which led the team. He chipped in offensively as well, completing two crosses and recording one key pass.

While da Costa wasn’t included in the USL Championship’s Team of the Week, the midfielder did score a goal and add an assist in FC Tulsa’s home opener to receive honorable mention.

The Team of the Week honors come one day after forward Joaquín Rivas was nominated as one of five finalists for the USL Championship’s Goal of the Week for Weeks 1 and 2 after his beautiful looping goal against OKC Energy FC on April 24. The Goal of the Week is a fan-voted honor, and the winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon.

FC Tulsa forward Joaquín Rivas' chip over OKC Energy FC to make it 2-0 last week is up for the USL Championship Goal of the Week. Rivas' shot is up against four other contenders from the first two weeks of USL action. 

Fans can vote below for Joaquín Rivas once per day until Thursday, May 6 at 11 a.m. CT.

FC Tulsa forward Joaquín Rivas’ chip over OKC Energy FC to make it 2-0 last week is up for the USL Championship Goal of the Week. Rivas’ shot is up against four other contenders from the first two weeks of USL action. 

Fans can vote below for Joaquín Rivas once per day until Thursday, May 6 at 11 a.m. CT.

TULSA – Tonight for its 2021 USL Championship home opener at ONEOK Field, FC Tulsa will begin a new tradition to celebrate their Man of the Match. After each home match, the fan-voted Man of the Match will get the honor of signing custom FC Tulsa cleats. The cleats were sourced by Silhouette Sneakers & Art and owner Venita “Coop” Cooper, designed by Aaron Whisner, the co-founder Clean Hands Inc. and painted by local artist Alexander Tamahn.

“I think it’s incredible that FC Tulsa reached out and sought opportunities to collaborate,” said Cooper, who’s store Silhouette resides in Greenwood. “We are right across the street from each other. For Silhouette to be able to collaborate with an organization like FC Tulsa that brings the community together is really exciting.”

Fans are able to vote for the FC Tulsa Man of the Match through FC Tulsa’s Official App, available on the App Store and Google Play Store. In the 75th minute of each home match, all FC Tulsa App users are sent a push notification to vote for the Man of the Match. After home victories, the Man of the Match will sign the cleats in front of sections 113 and 114 to celebrate with the FC Tulsa supporters.

“Representation matters,” said Tamahn. “I know that there are all kinds of people from all walks of life that love the game of soccer. Having that locally in their community makes us all that much proud to be here, to engage and to see ourselves with those trajectories available.”

Tickets to tonight’s match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., are still available starting at just $15 at www.fctulsa.com/tickets. Following the match, FC Tulsa will have a Fireworks Show for all fans in attendance

TULSA – Tonight for its 2021 USL Championship home opener at ONEOK Field, FC Tulsa will begin a new tradition to celebrate their Man of the Match. After each home match, the fan-voted Man of the Match will get the honor of signing custom FC Tulsa cleats. The cleats were sourced by Silhouette Sneakers & Art and owner Venita “Coop” Cooper, designed by Aaron Whisner, the co-founder Clean Hands Inc. and painted by local artist Alexander Tamahn.

“I think it’s incredible that FC Tulsa reached out and sought opportunities to collaborate,” said Cooper, who’s store Silhouette resides in Greenwood. “We are right across the street from each other. For Silhouette to be able to collaborate with an organization like FC Tulsa that brings the community together is really exciting.”

Fans are able to vote for the FC Tulsa Man of the Match through FC Tulsa’s Official App, available on the App Store and Google Play Store. In the 75th minute of each home match, all FC Tulsa App users are sent a push notification to vote for the Man of the Match. After home victories, the Man of the Match will sign the cleats in front of sections 113 and 114 to celebrate with the FC Tulsa supporters.

“Representation matters,” said Tamahn. “I know that there are all kinds of people from all walks of life that love the game of soccer. Having that locally in their community makes us all that much proud to be here, to engage and to see ourselves with those trajectories available.”

Tickets to tonight’s match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., are still available starting at just $15 at www.fctulsa.com/tickets. Following the match, FC Tulsa will have a Fireworks Show for all fans in attendance

TULSA – FC Tulsa is riding high heading into its 2021 USL Championship home opener against Sporting Kansas City II on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. The club is fresh off a 3-1 beatdown of in-state rival OKC Energy FC last weekend, a win that pushed FC Tulsa to the top of the Central Division standings and extended its franchise record regular season unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Standing in the way of running that streak to nine is Sporting KC II, the last team to beat FC Tulsa in 90 minutes. That match, back on August 29, 2020, saw SKCII upset Tulsa in a 2-1 contest at ONEOK, one of just two losses FC Tulsa took throughout 2020.

A win and some revenge on Saturday night in the first of four meetings between Sporting KC II and FC Tulsa this year would propel Tulsa into sole possession of the top spot in the USL Championship table.
 

BE AT THE MATCH
Tickets to the match are available for as low as $10 if fans purchase in advance of matchday, and $15 on matchday. Click here to get yours and be at ONEOK to cheer on FC Tulsa.
 

SCOUTING SPORTING KC II
Sporting Kansas City II is the second team for Sporting KC in MLS. As an MLS 2 team, Sporting KC II is made up of a lot of Academy players and young talent striving to one day join the MLS club. While SKCII’s motivation might be a bit different than FC Tulsa, the team has historically been one of the most successful MLS2 teams in USL Championship history, making the USL Championship Finals in both 2016 and 2017.

One player to watch is forward Ropapa Mensah, who will be a familiar face to two of the FC Tulsa players, Bradley Bourgeois and Lebo Moloto. The trio played together at Nashville SC in 2018 and 2019, helping lead the club to two consecutive USL Championship Playoffs appearances.
 

THINGS TO KNOW
1) Rivas’ Big Week
It’s been quite the week for forward Joaquin Rivas. Against rival OKC Energy FC on Saturday night, Rivas made his 100th career USL Championship regular season appearance. He made the start even more memorable when he scored the match’s first two goals, sealing the FC Tulsa victory. Rivas then celebrated his 29th birthday on Monday. A goal this weekend would put the Salvadoran into a tie for FC Tulsa’s all-time goalscoring mark, held by Sammy Ochoa (20).

2) Fireworks During and After the Match
As has become tradition at FC Tulsa home matches at ONEOK Field, there will be fireworks during and after Saturday’s match. When FC Tulsa scores a goal, fireworks and pyrotechnics will go off behind each net and along the touchlines. Then after the match, fans can stay at ONEOK for a Fireworks Show, presented by FC Tulsa.

3) ONEOK is Going Cashless
Saturday evening’s match will be the first “cashless” event at ONEOK, to help make it more convenient and safer for all fans in attendance. Fans who make use of the numerous concession offerings or browse through FC Tulsa merchandise will need to pay via credit or debit card. For fans who bring only cash, ONEOK Field will have reverse ATMs for fans to deposit cash and receive a Visa debit card to use at the match.
 

HOW TO WATCH
While FC Tulsa hopes that every soccer fan in Tulsa is in attendance at ONEOK Field on Saturday night, every match this season, home and road, will be broadcast locally throughout Tulsa on My41. Fans will also be able to stream the match on ESPN+. 

As always, follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and download the FC Tulsa App to get all news, highlights and updates throughout the match.

TULSA – FC Tulsa is riding high heading into its 2021 USL Championship home opener against Sporting Kansas City II on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. The club is fresh off a 3-1 beatdown of in-state rival OKC Energy FC last weekend, a win that pushed FC Tulsa to the top of the Central Division standings and extended its franchise record regular season unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Standing in the way of running that streak to nine is Sporting KC II, the last team to beat FC Tulsa in 90 minutes. That match, back on August 29, 2020, saw SKCII upset Tulsa in a 2-1 contest at ONEOK, one of just two losses FC Tulsa took throughout 2020.

A win and some revenge on Saturday night in the first of four meetings between Sporting KC II and FC Tulsa this year would propel Tulsa into sole possession of the top spot in the USL Championship table.
 

BE AT THE MATCH
Tickets to the match are available for as low as $10 if fans purchase in advance of matchday, and $15 on matchday. Click here to get yours and be at ONEOK to cheer on FC Tulsa.
 

SCOUTING SPORTING KC II
Sporting Kansas City II is the second team for Sporting KC in MLS. As an MLS 2 team, Sporting KC II is made up of a lot of Academy players and young talent striving to one day join the MLS club. While SKCII’s motivation might be a bit different than FC Tulsa, the team has historically been one of the most successful MLS2 teams in USL Championship history, making the USL Championship Finals in both 2016 and 2017.

One player to watch is forward Ropapa Mensah, who will be a familiar face to two of the FC Tulsa players, Bradley Bourgeois and Lebo Moloto. The trio played together at Nashville SC in 2018 and 2019, helping lead the club to two consecutive USL Championship Playoffs appearances.
 

THINGS TO KNOW
1) Rivas’ Big Week
It’s been quite the week for forward Joaquin Rivas. Against rival OKC Energy FC on Saturday night, Rivas made his 100th career USL Championship regular season appearance. He made the start even more memorable when he scored the match’s first two goals, sealing the FC Tulsa victory. Rivas then celebrated his 29th birthday on Monday. A goal this weekend would put the Salvadoran into a tie for FC Tulsa’s all-time goalscoring mark, held by Sammy Ochoa (20).

2) Fireworks During and After the Match
As has become tradition at FC Tulsa home matches at ONEOK Field, there will be fireworks during and after Saturday’s match. When FC Tulsa scores a goal, fireworks and pyrotechnics will go off behind each net and along the touchlines. Then after the match, fans can stay at ONEOK for a Fireworks Show, presented by FC Tulsa.

3) ONEOK is Going Cashless
Saturday evening’s match will be the first “cashless” event at ONEOK, to help make it more convenient and safer for all fans in attendance. Fans who make use of the numerous concession offerings or browse through FC Tulsa merchandise will need to pay via credit or debit card. For fans who bring only cash, ONEOK Field will have reverse ATMs for fans to deposit cash and receive a Visa debit card to use at the match.
 

HOW TO WATCH
While FC Tulsa hopes that every soccer fan in Tulsa is in attendance at ONEOK Field on Saturday night, every match this season, home and road, will be broadcast locally throughout Tulsa on My41. Fans will also be able to stream the match on ESPN+. 

As always, follow @FCTulsa on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and download the FC Tulsa App to get all news, highlights and updates throughout the match.

TULSA – Big offseason signings, three goals and a Black Gold Derby victory to start the season have FC Tulsa at No. 7 in the USL Championship Power Rankings, released Wednesday. FC Tulsa earned its highest ranking in the new era of the franchise after its season-opening 3-1 road win over OKC Energy FC last Saturday night.

It’s a four-spot jump for FC Tulsa following the final regular season Power Rankings of 2020, where the club clocked in at 11 after a three-match win streak to close the season and earn a USL Championship Playoffs berth.

FC Tulsa was second-highest ranked team in the Central Division behind Louisville City FC (4th), the only other team in the league with a win in 2021 on its record. Birmingham Legion FC (9th) and Indy Eleven (11th) give the Central the only division with four teams in the top 11 of the Rankings. A clear gap exists between the top four teams in the Central and the bottom four as Memphis 901 FC was ranked 22nd, followed by OKC Energy FC (24th), Atlanta United 2 (27th) and Sporting KC II (29th). That foursome also makes the Central the only division with four of the bottom 10 teams in the league.

As a reminder, the top four teams in the Central Division will qualify for the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs. FiveThirtyEight.com has FC Tulsa with a 66% chance to make it back-to-back postseason berths.

FC Tulsa returns to ONEOK Field on Saturday night in its regular season home opener against Sporting KC II. Tickets to the match start at just $10 and are going quickly, so lock in your seat today!

TULSA – Big offseason signings, three goals and a Black Gold Derby victory to start the season have FC Tulsa at No. 7 in the USL Championship Power Rankings, released Wednesday. FC Tulsa earned its highest ranking in the new era of the franchise after its season-opening 3-1 road win over OKC Energy FC last Saturday night.

It’s a four-spot jump for FC Tulsa following the final regular season Power Rankings of 2020, where the club clocked in at 11 after a three-match win streak to close the season and earn a USL Championship Playoffs berth.

FC Tulsa was second-highest ranked team in the Central Division behind Louisville City FC (4th), the only other team in the league with a win in 2021 on its record. Birmingham Legion FC (9th) and Indy Eleven (11th) give the Central the only division with four teams in the top 11 of the Rankings. A clear gap exists between the top four teams in the Central and the bottom four as Memphis 901 FC was ranked 22nd, followed by OKC Energy FC (24th), Atlanta United 2 (27th) and Sporting KC II (29th). That foursome also makes the Central the only division with four of the bottom 10 teams in the league.

As a reminder, the top four teams in the Central Division will qualify for the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs. FiveThirtyEight.com has FC Tulsa with a 66% chance to make it back-to-back postseason berths.

FC Tulsa returns to ONEOK Field on Saturday night in its regular season home opener against Sporting KC II. Tickets to the match start at just $10 and are going quickly, so lock in your seat today!

TULSA – FC Tulsa is continuing to strengthen its Pathway to Pro with three Academy Contract signings to its 2021 roster. Forward Promise Akinpelu and defenders Jesus Hernandez and Piercen Fisher have all signed with the club, pending league and federation approval. The three teenagers have been training with the club during the preseason as trialists.

“Jesus and Piercen have been with us since the beginning of preseason,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “They have shown the ability to compete, improve, and adapt to a professional environment. Promise came in and really impressed us, at such a young age, he can physically compete at this level. This environment will be great for all of our academy players to develop rapidly.”

Akinpelu, a 19-year-old Canadian, hails from Brampton, Ontario and was a member of Toronto FC’s Academy from 2012-2015. Following his time in the Academy system for TFC, Akinpelu played for a local club, Vaughan Azzurri, that competes in League1 Ontario. While with Vaughan, Akinpelu was a part of two League1 Ontario Championship teams (2016, 2018) and two L1 Cup winners (2016, 2018). Prior to joining FC Tulsa, Akinpelu played in the Treća HNL, the Croatian third division, for NK Trnje.

Hernandez, an 18-year-old native of Tulsa, joins the squad from the local youth soccer scene in Tulsa. First playing for West Side Alliance where he won a State Championship, and most recently for Tulsa Soccer Club, Hernandez is currently a member of the Tulsa Soccer Academy where he is enrolled in Epic Charter Schools. He will graduate with his high school diploma in 2022.

Fisher, a 16-year-old from South Tulsa, signs with FC Tulsa also from Tulsa Soccer Club. A former Blitz United youth player, Fisher moved to TSC in 2015 and has enjoyed significant success early in his club career. While with TSC, Fisher has won two ECNL National Championships, was a Dallas Cup finalist as a U-13 player and was a 2017 Regional Champion.

Akinpelu, Hernandez and Fisher join Martin Martinez-Leyva and Tony Mota as Academy Contract players on FC Tulsa’s roster, and all but Akinpelu are native to Tulsa. Ciaran Winters, who was the club’s first Academy player, signed in 2020, made his professional debut last Saturday in FC Tulsa’s 3-1 victory over OKC Energy FC.

FC Tulsa returns to ONEOK Field on Saturday for its regular season home opener against Sporting Kansas City II at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for the match.

TULSA – FC Tulsa is continuing to strengthen its Pathway to Pro with three Academy Contract signings to its 2021 roster. Forward Promise Akinpelu and defenders Jesus Hernandez and Piercen Fisher have all signed with the club, pending league and federation approval. The three teenagers have been training with the club during the preseason as trialists.

“Jesus and Piercen have been with us since the beginning of preseason,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “They have shown the ability to compete, improve, and adapt to a professional environment. Promise came in and really impressed us, at such a young age, he can physically compete at this level. This environment will be great for all of our academy players to develop rapidly.”

Akinpelu, a 19-year-old Canadian, hails from Brampton, Ontario and was a member of Toronto FC’s Academy from 2012-2015. Following his time in the Academy system for TFC, Akinpelu played for a local club, Vaughan Azzurri, that competes in League1 Ontario. While with Vaughan, Akinpelu was a part of two League1 Ontario Championship teams (2016, 2018) and two L1 Cup winners (2016, 2018). Prior to joining FC Tulsa, Akinpelu played in the Treća HNL, the Croatian third division, for NK Trnje.

Hernandez, an 18-year-old native of Tulsa, joins the squad from the local youth soccer scene in Tulsa. First playing for West Side Alliance where he won a State Championship, and most recently for Tulsa Soccer Club, Hernandez is currently a member of the Tulsa Soccer Academy where he is enrolled in Epic Charter Schools. He will graduate with his high school diploma in 2022.

Fisher, a 16-year-old from South Tulsa, signs with FC Tulsa also from Tulsa Soccer Club. A former Blitz United youth player, Fisher moved to TSC in 2015 and has enjoyed significant success early in his club career. While with TSC, Fisher has won two ECNL National Championships, was a Dallas Cup finalist as a U-13 player and was a 2017 Regional Champion.

Akinpelu, Hernandez and Fisher join Martin Martinez-Leyva and Tony Mota as Academy Contract players on FC Tulsa’s roster, and all but Akinpelu are native to Tulsa. Ciaran Winters, who was the club’s first Academy player, signed in 2020, made his professional debut last Saturday in FC Tulsa’s 3-1 victory over OKC Energy FC.

FC Tulsa returns to ONEOK Field on Saturday for its regular season home opener against Sporting Kansas City II at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for the match.