TULSA – As preseason training gets into full swing, FC Tulsa defenders Bradley Bourgeois and Cyprian Hedrick, as well as Head Coach Michael Nsien and Club President James Cannon spoke with members of the media after the morning session Friday about the club’s transformation ahead of the 2020 season.
“A lot has changed, starting with the kind of players we're bringing in, the quality of players we're bringing in, to the gear we're wearing,” said Cyprian Hedrick. “Everything is just more world-class, and everything just projecting on a higher level. So for us, it makes it easier to make sure we're doing our job and giving everything we have.”
Club President James Cannon emphasized the framework for excellence that the new staff has put into place.
“We just wanted to raise the bar,” Cannon said. “Elevate performance on the field, the results, the excitement for the games, and the fan experience. So, I think we want to start the fundamentals. get the team right, get the players right, the product on the field right, and the matchday experience. We're really excited about that.”
Cannon highlighted the high level of play exhibited this early into preseason preparation, and Bradley Bourgeois agreed.
“It comes down to how the team is jelling together,” he added. “Not only on the field but off of it. In the locker room. There’s no one who feels like they're bigger than the other, and the personalities are really starting to jell together.
“It's going to take more than just 6 weeks of preseason, obviously. It's going to take a collective group who has the same mindset, the same goals, and who want to absolutely put everything into it. From the time that they step into the facility, even when they go home, how we prepare, and how we get ready for the next game, our mindset is really going to be huge this year. We think we have the talent; we feel like we have the quality, and the work rate has to be there. I feel like if we all buy into that, we're going to be trouble.”
The stress on the day-to-day improvement is echoed throughout the team and staff, and that has become a pervasive attitude around FC Tulsa.
“We expect that our players will be able to compete at the highest level in this league.” Head Coach Michael Nsien told reporters. “We have a lot of technical, athletic, quick players that the ball should be moving at a good speed and the results should be, at home: we want it to be a fortress and win, constantly. The away games are very demanding in this league, different altitudes, different climates, but we feel like even on the road this year, we're going to give teams some problems. We want the fans to be excited. Hopefully, with our style of play, the fans are enthusiastic and it's enjoyable and they come out to watch and it just creates an atmosphere that teams to struggle to be here and that our fans and the players overwhelm them.”
As preseason continues and Tulsa gears up for its 6-match preseason schedule, Cannon hinted at the big things to come for FC Tulsa.
“We're going to be revealing new kits, a new look for the team. So, stay on the lookout for that, and we will be adding some neat things to our game day experience.”
FC Tulsa will play its first preseason match on February 8 against Oklahoma Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. at Titan Sports Complex.
Purchase your season tickets before prices go up on February 1 by clicking here.
TULSA – As preseason training gets into full swing, FC Tulsa defenders Bradley Bourgeois and Cyprian Hedrick, as well as Head Coach Michael Nsien and Club President James Cannon spoke with members of the media after the morning session Friday about the club’s transformation ahead of the 2020 season.
“A lot has changed, starting with the kind of players we’re bringing in, the quality of players we’re bringing in, to the gear we’re wearing,” said Cyprian Hedrick. “Everything is just more world-class, and everything just projecting on a higher level. So for us, it makes it easier to make sure we’re doing our job and giving everything we have.”
Club President James Cannon emphasized the framework for excellence that the new staff has put into place.
“We just wanted to raise the bar,” Cannon said. “Elevate performance on the field, the results, the excitement for the games, and the fan experience. So, I think we want to start the fundamentals. get the team right, get the players right, the product on the field right, and the matchday experience. We’re really excited about that.”
Cannon highlighted the high level of play exhibited this early into preseason preparation, and Bradley Bourgeois agreed.
“It comes down to how the team is jelling together,” he added. “Not only on the field but off of it. In the locker room. There’s no one who feels like they’re bigger than the other, and the personalities are really starting to jell together.
“It’s going to take more than just 6 weeks of preseason, obviously. It’s going to take a collective group who has the same mindset, the same goals, and who want to absolutely put everything into it. From the time that they step into the facility, even when they go home, how we prepare, and how we get ready for the next game, our mindset is really going to be huge this year. We think we have the talent; we feel like we have the quality, and the work rate has to be there. I feel like if we all buy into that, we’re going to be trouble.”
The stress on the day-to-day improvement is echoed throughout the team and staff, and that has become a pervasive attitude around FC Tulsa.
“We expect that our players will be able to compete at the highest level in this league.” Head Coach Michael Nsien told reporters. “We have a lot of technical, athletic, quick players that the ball should be moving at a good speed and the results should be, at home: we want it to be a fortress and win, constantly. The away games are very demanding in this league, different altitudes, different climates, but we feel like even on the road this year, we’re going to give teams some problems. We want the fans to be excited. Hopefully, with our style of play, the fans are enthusiastic and it’s enjoyable and they come out to watch and it just creates an atmosphere that teams to struggle to be here and that our fans and the players overwhelm them.”
As preseason continues and Tulsa gears up for its 6-match preseason schedule, Cannon hinted at the big things to come for FC Tulsa.
“We’re going to be revealing new kits, a new look for the team. So, stay on the lookout for that, and we will be adding some neat things to our game day experience.”
FC Tulsa will play its first preseason match on February 8 against Oklahoma Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. at Titan Sports Complex.
Purchase your season tickets before prices go up on February 1 by clicking here.
