August 6, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release
TULSA – FC Tulsa landed three selections to USL Championship Team of the Week 22, it was announced Tuesday. Head coach Mario Sanchez earned Coach of the Week honors, midfielder Edwin Laszo cracked the league’s starting lineup and forward Phillip Goodrum earned a bench nod.
The honors come after a historic 3-1 victory over San Antonio FC which saw the club rally from an early deficit to take its first road win at San Antonio in 10 visits.
“These are team awards because we all get recognized by having good games,” Sanchez said. “In general, that game was hands down our most complete game, and ironically, we gave up a goal. I thought we defended really well against a team that puts a lot of balls in the box and is very direct.”
Sanchez notched Coach of the Week after piecing together weeks of strong defensive play. Entering the contest allowing one goal in its past five matches, FC Tulsa only had six points to show for the stint. However, the club responded on Saturday, tying a season-high three goals to push to 25 points (6-7-6) and enter Week 23 in striking distance of a playoff seed.
A key piece in the victory, Laszo nailed a long-range screamer, which was featured on SportsCenter, to put FC Tulsa ahead in the 49th minute of a play. An all-around effort, the Columbian midfielder also won 2-of-3 tackles and 10-of-18 duels while making seven recoveries and two interceptions in central midfield.
The performance marked Laszo’s second goal of the season for FC Tulsa and his second appearance on USL Championship Team of the Week, debuting on the list in Week 5.
Laszo’s star-studded goal came from Goodrum, who tapped a direct free kick to him for the assist. Goodrum earned his bench appearance after logging a goal, an assist, two tackles and nine duels won in the evening. The 27-year-old got FC Tulsa on the board with a diving header in the 42nd minute and stayed active in his 12th straight full 90.
Goodrum has made the USL Team of the Week four times this season, starting in Week 2 and earning bench selections in Week 9, 16 and 22.
The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.
The complete lineup for the Week 22 USL Championship Team of the Week is below:
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 22
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