Oklahoma City Energy FC
 | |||
| Full name | Oklahoma City Energy Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | ||
| Stadium |
Taft Stadium Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | ||
| Capacity | 7,500 | ||
| Owner | Prodigal LLC | ||
| President | Bob Funk, Jr. | ||
| Head Coach | Jimmy Nielsen | ||
| League | USL | ||
| 2015 |
2nd, Western Conference Playoffs: Conference Finals | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
|
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Oklahoma City Energy Football Club is an American professional men's soccer team 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 (Redhawks) Pacific Coast League baseball team and the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.[1]
2014
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]
-
Taft Stadium, Oklahoma City
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 |
Players and staff
Current roster
As of 1/15/2016 [10]
| No. | Position | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goalkeeper | Laurendi, CodyCody Laurendi |  United States
|
| 4 | Defender | Hedrick, CyprianCyprian Hedrick |  Cameroon
|
| 5 | Defender | Evans, GarethGareth Evans |  Wales
|
| 7 | Midfielder | Dalgaard, SebastianSebastian Dalgaard |  Denmark
|
| 9 | Forward | König, DanniDanni König | Denmark
|
| 10 | Midfielder | Sanchez, ChuyChuy Sanchez |  Mexico
|
| 11 | Forward | Townsend, CaseyCasey Townsend | United States
|
| 12 | Midfielder | Gonzalez, DanielDaniel Gonzalez | United States
|
| 17 | Midfielder | Tóth, PéterPéter Tóth |  Hungary
|
| 22 | Defender | Ryden, KalenKalen Ryden | United States
|
| 23 | Midfielder | Martinez, LuisLuis Martinez | Mexico
|
| 24 | Goalkeeper | Clark, RayRay Clark | United States
|
| 25 | Midfielder | Byskov, MichaelMichael Byskov | Denmark
|
| 26 | Defender | Andrews, CoadyCoady Andrews | United States
|
| — | Midfielder | Frimpong, EvansEvans Frimpong |  Ghana
|
| — | Defender | Hyland, KyleKyle Hyland | United States
|
| — | Forward | Jackson, DanielDaniel Jackson | United States
|
| — | Goalkeeper | Lissek, JacobJacob Lissek | United States
|
| — | Forward | Rideout, JordanJordan Rideout |  England |
Current staff
- Jimmy Nielsen: Head Coach
-
James Ritchie: Assistant Coach - Mark Howard: Assistant Coach
- Chris Spendlove: Assistant Coach
- Zane Brugenhemke (2016)
Sponsorship
Local family-owned bank, First Fidelity, became the inaugural jersey sponsor in 2014.[11]
References
- 1 2 "Oklahoma City to Join USL PRO in 2014". United Soccer Leagues (USL). July 2, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Funk Lays Out Vision For Oklahoma City". United Soccer Leagues (USL). August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Energy FC Partners With Sporting KC". United Soccer Leagues (USL). December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ↑ "JIMMY NIELSEN NAMED HEAD COACH OF OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY FC". December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Oklahoma City Businessman Tim McLaughlin Joins Oklahoma City Energy FC as Partner". The Oklahoman (NewsOK). March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
- ↑ "OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY FC". Oklahoma City Energy FC. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ↑ "OKC Energy Unveil Name, Colors". United Soccer Leagues (USL). November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ↑ "Pro soccer: City's new USL Pro soccer team will be called Energy". Daily Oklahoman. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ↑ "KÖNIG’S LATE GOAL LIFTS ENERGY FC PAST SEATTLE". www.energyfc.com. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
- ↑ Oklahoma City Energy Player Roster
- ↑ "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.
External links
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