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OKC Energy FC

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Oklahoma City Energy FC
Full nameOklahoma City Energy Football Club
FoundedJuly 2, 2013 (11 years ago) (2013-07-02)
GroundTaft Stadium
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Capacity7,500
OwnerProdigal LLC
PresidentBob Funk, Jr.
Head CoachJimmy Nielsen
LeagueUSL
20167th, Western Conference
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals
Websitehttp://energyfc.com/
Current season

Oklahoma City Energy Football Club is an American professional men's soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prodigal LLC was awarded the franchise on July 2, 2013.[1][2] They played their inaugural season in the United Soccer League in 2014.

History

Prodigal LLC, led by Oklahoma City businessman Bob Funk, Jr., pursued a bid for a franchise in the United Soccer League's Professional Division (USL Pro) in early 2013. Prodigal was awarded the USL Pro franchise on July 2, 2013, with an intended launch date of 2014.

On December 20, 2013, Energy FC announced an affiliation agreement with 2013 MLS Champions Sporting Kansas City. Also, recently retired SKC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was named head coach.[3][4]

On March 25, 2014, OKC Pro Soccer owner and founder of Oklahoma City's Fields & Futures program Tim McLaughlin joined the club as an ownership partner, bringing a secured lease to Taft Stadium, where Energy FC began play in 2015. The club's 2014 home schedule was played at Pribil Stadium on the campus of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. [5]

Prodigal LLC formerly operated the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League and formerly owned the Oklahoma City Dodgers (formerly Redhawks) Pacific Coast League baseball team and the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.[1]

2014

Main article: 2014 Oklahoma City Energy FC season

The Energy won their first game in a pre-season contest against University of Nebraska-Omaha 1-0 on March 8, 2014. They went 5-0-1 in preseason games against local colleges. They won their USL Pro debut 2-0 against Orange County Blues FC on April 5 in Irvine, California. Orlando City SC defeated the Energy 2-1 in their first home match on April 26. After winning two of their first three league matches, the Energy went on a six-game losing streak. Then they went undefeated in their next 8 games (4-0-4), including four consecutive shutouts. A second six-game losing streak ended their playoff hopes and the Energy finished in 10th place, five points behind Harrisburg for the last playoff spot. Defender Gareth Evans was named to the All-League Second Team.

Stadium

For the 2014 season, home games were played at Pribil Stadium on the campus of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and introduced their team kits and logo.[6][7][8]In 2015, the club moved to Taft Stadium.[9]

Club culture

Supporters

The Energy has one recognized supporter group: The Grid.[10]

Rivalries

Energy FC's main rival are the Tulsa Roughnecks FC in the Black Gold Derby, with both teams being located in Oklahoma. The supporters group of both teams established a trophy, a 4-foot wrench painted with the colors of each team on either side, which is awarded to the regular season winner of the derby.[11]

The team also has a minor rivalry against Rayo OKC, a North American Soccer League team located in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. Due to playing in different leagues, the teams only face each other during the US Open Cup competition.

Affiliated teams

The Energy FC is formally associated with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.[12][13] They were affiliated with Sporting Kansas City from 2014 through 2015.[14]

Sponsorship

Local family-owned bank, First Fidelity, became the inaugural jersey sponsor in 2014.[15]


Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Avg. Attendance
2014 3 USL Pro 10th Did not qualify Third Round 3,784
2015 3 USL 2nd, Western Conference Finals Fourth Round 4,635
2016 3 USL 7th, Western Conference Semifinals Fourth Round 4,950

Players and staff

Roster

As of 9/24/2016 [16]

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Cody Laurendi  Puerto Rico
3 DF Kyle Hyland  United States
9 FW Danni König  Denmark
12 MF Daniel Gonzalez  United States
16 GK Jacob Lissek  United States
18 GK C. J. Cochran  United States
19 DF Michael Harris  United States
20 FW Daniel Jackson  United States
22 DF Kalen Ryden  United States
23 MF Luis Martinez  Mexico
24 GK Ray Clark  United States
26 DF Coady Andrews  United States
30 FW Andy Craven  United States
— MF Alejandro Covarrubias  United States
— FW Alex Dixon  United States
— DF Sam Fink  United States
— FW Miguel Gonzalez  Mexico
— MF Juan Guzman  United States

Current staff

References

  1. ^ a b "Oklahoma City to Join USL PRO in 2014". United Soccer Leagues (USL). July 2, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  2. ^ "Funk Lays Out Vision For Oklahoma City". United Soccer Leagues (USL). August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "Energy FC Partners With Sporting KC". United Soccer Leagues (USL). December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "JIMMY NIELSEN NAMED HEAD COACH OF OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY FC". December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  5. ^ "Oklahoma City Businessman Tim McLaughlin Joins Oklahoma City Energy FC as Partner". The Oklahoman (NewsOK). March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  6. ^ "OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY FC". Oklahoma City Energy FC. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  7. ^ "OKC Energy Unveil Name, Colors". United Soccer Leagues (USL). November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  8. ^ "Pro soccer: City's new USL Pro soccer team will be called Energy". Daily Oklahoman. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "KÖNIG'S LATE GOAL LIFTS ENERGY FC PAST SEATTLE". www.energyfc.com. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  10. ^ "The Grid". Energy FC. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  11. ^ Czubinski, Grant (June 3, 2016). "Black Gold Derby Brings Added Heat in Oklahoma". United Soccer League. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  12. ^ "FC Dallas announces USL affiliation with Oklahoma City Energy FC". FC Dallas. January 11, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "Energy FC, FC Dallas Announce New Partnership". United Soccer League (USL). January 11, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Sporting Kansas City announces USL team, ends affiliation with Oklahoma City Energy FC". The Oklahoman. October 21, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "OKC Energy FC lands jersey sponsor". Soccer America Daily. Mar 13, 2014. USL PRO expansion team OKC Energy FC has landed First Fidelity Bank as a founding partner and jersey sponsor for its inaugural season.
  16. ^ Oklahoma City Energy Player Roster
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