TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Wednesday it had re-signed standout forward Phillip Goodrum ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Goodrum joined FC Tulsa through a blockbuster transfer with Memphis 901 FC on May 22, 2023. In his debut for FC Tulsa against Louisville City FC a few days later, Goodrum provided an immediate jolt to the team, scoring the game-winning goal in the 89th minute. He went on to equal the club’s single-season scoring record with 12 goals in 21 appearances, matching the mark set by Joaquin Rivas during the 2018 campaign.

“I couldn’t be happier to return to FC Tulsa for 2024.” Goodrum said, “Ever since I first arrived at the club, it has felt like home. I can’t wait to get started with the guys this year.”

Goodrum made his debut in the Championship in the abbreviated 2020 campaign for Atlanta United 2 after being selected in the MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United FC. His breakout campaign came in 2022 after joining Memphis 901 FC when he recorded 21 regular season goals to finish second in the Championship’s Golden Boot race, earning All-League First Team honors.

Overall, the 26-year-old has recorded 40 goals in 98 appearances across the regular season and playoffs in the Championship. He will now aim to lead Tulsa back to its first appearance in the USL Championship Playoffs since the 2021 season.

Analysis

In re-signing Phillip Goodrum, FC Tulsa retains one of the league’s sharpest finishers over the past two seasons and comes out the clear winner of the deal that saw the club part with Rodrigo Da Costa to acquire him last May. Goodrum’s 12 goals – scored at a strike rate of a goal every 157.2 minutes – helped keep Tulsa in the postseason picture last campaign, even if they ultimately came up short.

Goodrum will be hoping to maintain the form that has placed him second only to Milan Iloski in goals scored with 33 over the past two regular seasons. With an Expected Goals mark of 30.14xG in that span, his pace certainly seems sustainable, and the potential of his re-ignited partnership with midfielder Jeremy Kelly – signed this offseason as a free agent – augurs well for what’s to come.