Ground Capacity 7,500 President Bob Funk, Jr. League United Soccer League Head coach Jimmy Nielsen Ground Taft Stadium | Owner Prodigal LLC Website Club home page Manager Jimmy Nielsen Founded 2013 | |
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Full name Oklahoma City Energy Football Club 2016 7th, Western Conference
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals Location Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Profiles | ||
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OKC Energy FC is an American professional men's soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prodigal LLC was awarded the franchise on July 2, 2013. They played their inaugural season in the United Soccer League in 2014.
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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.
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.
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.
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.In 2015, the club moved to Taft Stadium.
Supporters
The Energy has one recognized supporter group: The Grid.
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.
Affiliated teams
The club is formally associated with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. They were affiliated with Sporting Kansas City from 2014 through 2015.
Sponsorship
Local, family-owned First Fidelity Bank became the inaugural jersey sponsor in 2014.
Roster
As of 1/12/2017