Kosuke Kimura takes player-coach appointment at USL's Tulsa Roughnecks

After a successful career in MLS (one MLS Cup with Colorado Rapids and a Supporters' Shield with the New York Red Bulls), Kosuke Kimura had a brief stint in Poland with Widzew Lodz before settling into back-to-back spells in NASL with Atlanta Silverbacks and Rayo OKC. Both those clubs ended their one and only season with Kimura aboard in somewhat troubled circumstances: for the second time in two years, Kimura effectively found himself needing a new team.

Fortunately, he has found one. Kimura has landed a player-coach gig with Tulsa Roughnecks in USL. The Roughnecks have a new head coach for 2017. David Vaudreuil was an assistant coach for Rayo OKC last year, and he has persuaded Kimura to join him in Tulsa. The 32-year-old Kimura will get the chance to match wits with a former teammate (at the Rapids) and coach (at RBNY), Mike Petke, in the Western Conference of USL. Petke is head coach of Real Monarchs this season.

Tulsa Roughnecks have also announced the appointment of veteran Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts in a player-coach role.