Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Born: January 6, 1995
Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi
College: University of South Florida
Previous Club: Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
MARCUS EPPS BIO
FC TULSA
2023
Marcus Epps returns to FC Tulsa on his multi-year contract for the 2023 season.
2022
FC Tulsa acquired Marcus Epps on July 27, 2022 via trade from Phoenix Rising FC in exchange for JJ Williams.
Epps made 10 appearances for Tulsa before the end of the season, settling in nicely to the new offensive scheme towards the end of the season. The winger played 348 of FC Tulsa’s final 360 minutes of the year, scoring both of his goals on October 8 vs. Monterey Bay F.C. His two-goal performance marked the first brace of Epps’ professional career.
2022 – Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
After a career-year with San Antonio FC, Epps made the move to one of the 2022 Eastern Conference favorites, Phoenix Rising FC. Epps saw his numbers drop off a bit as the club has struggled this season, but the play-making midfielder still posted respectable numbers. Epps appeared for Phoenix 18 times, scoring one goal and coming up with two assists. He also made three Open Cup appearances for Phoenix as well.
2021 – San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Epps had a tremendous 2019 campaign with San Antonio FC as the club made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champions, Orange County SC. Epps played in all 32 matches for San Antonio with 30 starts, leading the club in both categories, as well as minutes played (2,633). He scored a career-high six goals and logged a career-high five assists in the regular season and would add another goal in the playoffs. Epps played 298 of San Antonio’s 300 total playoff minutes before the team lost 5-3 in penalties to Orange County.
2020 – Portland Timbers 2 (USL Championship)
Epps’ contract was not renewed by New York heading into 2019, so he signed with Portland Timbers 2 for one season, the USL Championship affiliate of the MLS Timbers’ side. In 13 appearances, Epps captained the squad 10 times and scored four goals to go along with one assist.
2019 – Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship)
On August 2, it was announced that New York had loaned Epps to Memphis 901 FC for the remainder of the 2019 season. He tallied three goals for Memphis and one assist through 15 appearances, 14 of which were starts.
2019 – New York Red Bulls (MLS) / New York Red Bulls II (USL Championship)
2019 was a busy season for Epps as he was rostered on three different clubs throughout the year. New York Red Bulls traded a Second-Round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2019 MLS Waiver Draft, which New York used to select Epps. He would make three MLS appearances for Red Bulls with one start before being loaned to its USL Championship squad, New York Red Bulls II.
With Red Bulls II, Epps made 16 starts in 18 appearances, serving as the captain three times. The midfielder scored two goals and logged four assists, three of which came in his first four appearances for the side.
2017-2018 – Philadelphia Union (MLS) / Bethlehem Steel (USL Championship)
The Philadelphia Union selected Epps 25th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, and the Mississippi native got his professional career started with the Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia’s USL Championship affiliate. Epps made 13 USL Championship appearances with one goal and one assist with Bethlehem before making his debut with the MLS club on May 27, 2017. He finished the season with 19 MLS appearances and two goals to go along with his first two Open Cup appearances and first Open Cup goal.
2018 played out similarly for Epps. He began the campaign with the Bethlehem Steel once again, making 12 appearances and pairing two goals with two assists. Epps also got three more Open Cup appearances under his belt and scored once during the competition. He was then called back up to the Union squad and made his first appearance of the season with the MLS team on May 28. Epps finished the 2018 MLS season with one goal and 609 minutes played.
College
Marcus Epps attended the University of South Florida where he played for the Bulls from 2013-2016. The midfielder totaled 75 appearances over his collegiate career, scoring eight goals. As a junior, Epps was named to the American Athletic Conference Second Team after starting 19 of the Bulls’ 20 matches and scoring four goals on 26 shots taken.
Youth
Prior to attending USF, Epps spent time with the Chicago Fire Academy and was named to the 2012 US Soccer Academy Development Winter Showcase Select Team.
