Tulsa Roughnecks FC News Release - www.tulsaroughnecksfc.com
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
TULSA, Okla. - Tulsa Roughnecks FC and head coach David Irving today finalized contract details on the first two players in the organization's history. The club announced that midfielder Oscar Jimenez and defender Ben Brewster have agreed to contracts to play for the Roughnecks during the club's inaugural 2015 season in the USL.
The two are the first official signings to be announced by the club with several more player contracts and transfers to be finalized by the USSF and FIFA in the coming days.
Jimenez played collegiately at Western Washington University and was a four-year starter in the midfield for the Vikings. He was the team's captain his senior year and matched a school record with 22 career assists. Jimenez finished his career in the school's top ten in points (69), games (72) and goals (17). He was named to the all Great Northwest Conference Team three times and to the All West Region Team twice.
After his collegiate career, Jimenez has played for the Sounders FC U23 team the past two summers. He has also served as an assistant coach for his alma mater.
"Oscar is a player that I recently saw in San Diego and fits the type of player we are looking for," said Irving. "He has got a great work ethic and has been with the Seattle Sounders as well as having a good college career at Western Washington University. He is a smart player who has a good range of passing and can work both sides of the ball. I believe he can play at the next level and is only maturing as a player."
Jimenez is a native of Orange County, California.
Brewster was a four-year starter during his collegiate career at Bowdoin College in
Brunswick, Maine. He received honors following each of his four seasons with the Division III Polar Bears.
Brewster was named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year following his freshman season. The defender earned second team All-Conference honors after his sophomore year and first team All-Conference honors after each of his final two seasons. He was also named First Team All-New England following his junior and senior seasons.
Brewster completed his decorated collegiate career by back-lining a Bowdoin defense that allowed just 16 goals his senior season. His play earned him a spot on the First Team All-American Team as named by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
"Ben has had a good college career and has played at the PDL level," said Irving. "He is someone that I nearly signed last season. He can play a few positions on the field, and I am looking forward to working with him as I believe he can play at this level and will only develop further."
He was one of only seven Division III players that were eligible for the 2014 MLS Draft. He has played two seasons in the PDL for Seacoast United in Hampton, New Hampshire. As team captain in 2014, he led Seacoast to the Northeast Regular Season Championship with an 11-1-2 record.
Brewster is a native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
The Roughnecks will begin official training next week in preparation for their first season in USL. Tulsa will open the regular season on Saturday, March 28 by hosting the Oklahoma City Energy at ONEOK Field.
Season ticket packages are currently on sale at TulsaRoughnecksFC.com or by calling (918)744-5901. In addition, individual tickets are available for the first four games of the regular season, plus for a preseason friendly game with Saint Louis FC on March 21, at TulsaRoughnecksFC.com.
