After a rebrand last month, FC Tulsa infused talent into their 2020 roster with the addition of a Cuban duo of stars.

It’s one thing to remake your club with a new crest, name, and colors, but it’s a completely different thing to do that AND add high-level talent. FC Tulsa, the artist formerly known as the Roughnecks, have followed a rebrand last month with a pair of big signings yesterday. The club announced they’ve added two former Cuban national team players: Ariel Martinez, and Dario Suarez. Both players arrive from Miami FC after leaving their native Cuba over the last decade.

Nicknamed the Cuban Messi, Ariel Martinez could be one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league. Let’s put his skills in perspective for an average fan of the USL Championship. For the past few seasons, including in 2017 for Tulsa, Juan Pablo Caffa has been one of the best playmakers in the league. Martinez has the same vision and precision passing the ball, but despite being 33 years old, he possesses more pace on the ball and dribbling ability. With his unique skill set, he could play on the wing or as a number ten.

Martinez’s partner in the attack for Miami was Dario Suarez. The 27-year-old will provide pace and finishing to the FC Tulsa offense. Super Dario is a true goalscorer that can be effective running in behind the defense or shooting from distance. He’s more of a mobile striker than one that would hold up play with physicality.

They will follow the footsteps of another former Cuban national team player, Jorge Luis Corrales. The Montreal Impact defender played for the Roughnecks in 2017. When talking about the duo that he described as having a lot of talent, Corrales told me that he hasn’t had a chance to speak to Martinez or Suarez yet, but that he had a unique experience in Tulsa.

FC Tulsa appear comfortable spending some money to go after quality players after a season that saw them finish third from the bottom of the Western Conference table.