TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Monday it had signed El Salvador international Joaquin Rivas to a new contract ahead of the 2022 USL Championship, retaining one of the most prominent players in the club’s history. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

A decorated Tulsa veteran, Rivas ranks first all-time in club appearances (85) and is tied for the club lead in goals with teammate Rodrigo da Costa (24). Rivas is also second on the all-time franchise list in starts (72) and minutes played (6,561), trailing da Costa in both categories. Rivas also owns notable single-season marks in FC Tulsa, with his 12 goals in the 2018 season are the most in a campaign in club history.

On some of the biggest stages the world has to offer, Rivas has represented FC Tulsa on international stage, appearing 24 times in his career for El Salvador, 12 of which have come during 2022 World Cup Qualifying. In total, Rivas has found the back of the net four times for his country, three of which came in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Not only does he score for “La Selecta,” but he distributes as well, totaling three assists to go along with his goal tally. In one of the biggest matches of its history, Rivas and El Salvador will face the United States in World Cup Qualifying on Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, airing nationally on ESPN2.

“Joaquin is coming off a great year for both club and country,” said Tulsa Head Coach Michael Nsien. “He has had some special years for our club and I’m sure he looks forward to building upon his legacy in Tulsa. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings for him and FC Tulsa. I’m sure it will be full of great moments.”

After graduating from UNLV, Rivas spent one season with Kitsap Pumas in USL League Two in 2014 before beginning his career in the USL Championship the following season with Sacramento Republic FC. Rivas then arrived for his first stint in Tulsa, arriving at the club in 2017 before his historic 2018 season the next year. Rivas then spent the following two seasons with Saint Louis FC before signing back with FC Tulsa in 2021. He scored seven goals last season despite missing significant time on international duty, including one of Tulsa's two goals in its Eastern Conference Quarterfinal playoff match. In addition to his seven tallies, Rivas set a single-season career high in assists with three.

Both Rivas and newly-signed FC Tulsa center-back Ronald Rodríguez have been called into the El Salvador squad for its next three CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers and are likely to feature against the United States on Thursday night. El Salvador will also play at Honduras on Sunday night before hosting Canada next Wednesday, February 2.