Impressive win against an established NASL foe in Minnesota United.

Impressive considering they had like 5 players suspended.

INJURED:
Sebastian Velasquez

WALKING WOUNDED:
Robbie Findley
Marvin Chavez

SUSPENDED:
Michel
Derek Boateng
Giorgio Samaras
Billy Forbes

Surprised that with all the injured, walking wounded & suspensions--Rayo OKC continues to be competitive. Rayo OKC have good player prospects and a future in metropolitan OKC.

Now there's a lot of talk about the potential of MLS coming to OKC following 2020. OKC Energy FC ownership continue to monitor benchmarks before they pursue MLS. Just don't think the MLS model will be a productive investment for an ownership group (Funks-McLaughlin) in a small market (under 2 million metro) like ours. Combined OKC (NASL-USL) attendance is approximately 11,000 for our two minor league franchises.

Oklahoma City:


27th - 631,346 (Urban population)
41st - 1,358,452 (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
43rd - 701,070 (TV Households)
168th Per Capita Income - $36,797
Major sports dollars' competition: National Basketball Association

MLS smallest market: Salt Lake City


124th - 192,672 (Urban Population)
48th - 1,170,266 (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
34th - 884,900 (TV Households)
21st Per Capita Income - $48,594
Major sports (National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer)


The NBA model is a great fit for small markets 1.2 - 1.6 (Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Memphis, OKC, Milwaukee) with strong ownership groups.

Chris Brannick
‏
@chrisbrannick85
Working on it now. Rayo OKC majority investor Rayo Vallecano de Madrid might be considering a sale following its relegation last month.
[/QUOTE]

In a world where everybody gets along and does what's best for Oklahoma City, we could easily end up with a shared ownership group that promotes both teams at both levels. But knowing the two ownership groups involved, that will never happen.

I hope they stick around though.

This bites...

http://newsok.com/rayo-okcs-future-in-question-following-relegation-of-spanish-club/article/5502788

This bites...

http://newsok.com/rayo-okcs-future-in-question-following-relegation-of-spanish-club/article/5502788

Not a surprise. Parent club gets relegated, loses a boatload of money because of it, ready to start unloading excess baggage.

I blame the Canadian County Sheriff.

Dupe

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/06/07/gibson-kimura-and-menjivar-named-to-nasl-team-of-the-week
12672

RAYO OKC RECIEVES SEBASTIEN IBEAGHA ON LOAN

12767
http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/07/12/rayo-okc---tampa-bay-rowdies-recap
Rayo OKC has received Sebastian Ibeagha on loan for the remainder of the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) season.

Ibeagha (pronounced: Ibby-AH-ga), was signed by the Houston Dynamo earlier this year and has spent the majority of the season on loan with the team’s USL affiliate, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, making two appearances. The 6-2 center back played for Deer Creek High School before moving to Houston in 2008. Ibeagha started his professional career playing for Danish side AC Horsens. While with Horsens, Ibeagha spent time on loan with FC Fredericia (Denmark) and Fram Reykjavik (Iceland). Ibeagha represented the United States’ U20 National team from 2010 through 2011, making seven appearances.

Rayo OKC head coach Alen Marcina had this to say about his new additions: “Adding Sebastien will provide strength in areas I think we have struggled so far. He brings pace and athleticism to back line. He is extremely motivated and we are excited to bring more local talent to the club. We welcome him to the Rayo Family.”

12768

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/07/13/rayo-okc-receives-devon-sandoval-on-loan
RAYO OKC RECEIVES DEVON SANDOVAL ON LOAN
12769
Rayo OKC has received Major League Soccer (MLS) veteran Devon Sandoval on loan for the remainder of the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) season.

Sandoval, an Albuquerque, N.M. native, is under contract with Real Salt Lake and has played the past three seasons in North America’s first division league. The 6-1 forward has made 72 appearances for Salt Lake in his time with the club, appearing in 72 matches with 36 starts and scoring seven goals.

Sandoval was sent to the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL on loan in 2014 and made five appearances for the club and scored three goals. He was also sent on loan to the Real Monarchs of the United Soccer League (USL) in 2015 and made one appearance for the club.

Rayo OKC head coach Alen Marcina had this to say about his new addition: “Adding Devon will improve our attack. As the season progresses we are constantly looking to improve our roster in order to put out the best product for our fans. Devon provides presence up front, makes intelligent runs, and he is hungry and ambitious. We are excited to welcome him to the Rayo Family.”

RAYO OKC PULLS OFF THRILLING COMEBACK
Rayo Comes Back from 2-0 Deficit to Draw with Puerto Rico FC
12770

What a game! THIS tie feels SOOO much different than the one 2 weeks ago! :-)

12771

The New York Cosmos are coming to town Saturday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. Miller Stadium.

Should be a great event: For ticket information - https://www.rayookc.com/full-schedule#tabs-3

12774

Game Day!
12780
Rayo OKC hosts New York Cosmos tonight at Miller Stadium!
8pm

.

Rayo OKC 3 - New York Cosmos 0

Rayo OKC beat the undefeated New York Cosmos 3 - 0 at Miller Stadium:

http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/07/16/rayo-okcs-michel-scores-twice-to-send-cosmos-to-first-fall-season-loss

NASL Standings: http://www.nasl.com/standings

Great game last night. Great atmosphere!
Georgio Samaras tallied his first goal of the season!
OKC is now in 2nd place, after last night's win. We are 1 point behind Cosmos.

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/07/18/rayo-okc-captain-michel-named-nasl-player-of-the-week
RAYO OKC CAPTAIN MICHEL NAMED NASL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rayo OKC has increased its unbeaten streak to six games, getting three goals from midfielder Michel in two league encounters this past week. The Brazilian veteran has been named North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week for his efforts in Rayo OKC’s 2-2 draw against Puerto Rico FC and 3-0 win over the New York Cosmos, the league announced Monday.

“I am extremely honored and happy to be named NASL Player of the Week,” Michel said. “To be honest, I have to give the credit to my teammates. The whole group deserves this honor with our performances in the last two games. It was especially difficult to come back against Puerto Rico, but we kept our heads up and got a positive result.”

The Supporter's Group will be helping Rayo OKC with a drive to assist Stand Waite Elementary School.
If anyone would like to donate, it would greatly appreciated.

Items will be collected at the July 30th Home game.

Here are the Basic details:

· Plain white polos were requested and will be donated to Stand Watie Elementary of the OKCPS system

· Any brand

· Elementary aged children, so various youth sizes 6/8, 10/12, 14/16, adult S, M should cover it

· Need to be new, but getting at discount stores or outlets is fine – like TJ Maxx, Ross, Target, Walmart, etc. All fine

· There is a Buy One Get One offer as wel, for people who donate.
The BOGO offer is actually two (2) offers: 1) BOGO beverage at the concessions stands or on select beer from the beer sales stands at the game that night, and BOGO premium ticket purchase offer for the August 20 game (Club and Premium West seats). This is to encourage those that already have seats to participate (other than perhaps the goodness of their hearts!) to bring items in exchange for a benefit they can use (the beverages)

· If they want to collect at the tailgate area that’s fine – then they can bring all of them over at once to the SE gate and give to the folks collecting all the items there – or just take them to that gate

RAYO OKC DEFEATS TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 1-0, GO TOP OF THE TABLE IN NASL!

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/07/27/rayo-okc-defeats-tampa-bay-rowdies-1-0
12814

RAYO OKC AND MINNESOTA UNITED FC DRAW, 2-2
12820

Rayo OKC on a run now. Unbeaten in 8 out the last 9 games. We play NY Cosmos this weekend for 1st place in NASL!

RAYO OKC AND MINNESOTA UNITED FC DRAW, 2-2
12820

Rayo OKC on a run now. Unbeaten in 8 out the last 9 games. We play NY Cosmos this weekend for 1st place in NASL!

Proud of how both Oklahoma City's two professional soccer teams have played (NASL RayoOKC/USL OKC Energy FC). What's more impressive; both franchises have their games televised.

Wish there were someway; these organization could join forces--get the City of Oklahoma City to build a state-of-the-art Riverfront stadium (7,000-9,000 seats) flexible for expansion.

We have two franchises (combined) that average 10,000 plus fans. Just think what the impact would be if we had a nice riverfront stadium. Our community soccer base is diverse and strong.

With expansion fees estimated to be at $200 now, I don't see how we get a team.
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2921608/mls-expansion-fee-could-go-as-high-as-$200-million

With expansion fees estimated to be at $200 now, I don't see how we get a team.
http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2921608/mls-expansion-fee-could-go-as-high-as-$200-million


Understand your concern:

A group spent $350 million in 2006 (10 years ago) to purchase an NBA franchise that eventually called OKC home.

MLS is no where on the level of the NBA; however, MLS is on more solid financial footing than the old NASL model of the 70s-80s when Oklahoma had a team (original Tulsa Roughnecks). The current MLS model doesn't mirror the NBA's small market model.

MLS stadium ready model requires a minimum of 18,000 seats. We may see a future minimum around the 25,000-seat range.

A 7,000-9,000 seat riverfront stadium would go over well for our current NASL or USL. We want to have the facility expansion capabilities in place.

MLS may not be the our only future goal for a riverfront venue with expansion capacity.

Laramie,
don't get me wrong I would love a MLS team. would love to see it happen but with the current economy right now in okc I don't think its possible.

Laramie,
don't get me wrong I would love a MLS team. would love to see it happen but with the current economy right now in okc I don't think its possible.

Certainly not now.

The current MLS model puts more financial support into the league vs. the individual franchise. Doubt if you'll see more than 24-28 franchises by 2024. That's why future expansion will be so costly.

You could see OKC on the radar post 2020 if some kind of start-up facility completed. Funk missed a golden opportunity back in the early 2000s (pre Thunder) to purchase an MLS franchise when the initial ground work was crafted ($10 million franchise fee). He opted to purchase the PCL Redhawks instead.

UCO wanted to partner with Funk to expand Wantland Stadium in Edmond to 25,000. Robert Funk also talked about obtaining an NHL franchise during that period.

francosy: Hearing that many BIG changes could be happening in #RayoOKC Front Office. Spaniards are here and can't get around with $.
francosy: Spaniards have advised #RayoOKC staff and players that changes are coming. People could get fired, players might have to move in together...
francosy: Some have described today as a 'hostile or weird' day in #RayoOKC day..
https://twitter.com/francosy/status/761039537199915008

Breaking News: Rayo OKC head coach Resigned and Sold Out Strategies is no longer part of Rayo OKC

Breaking News: Rayo OKC head coach Resigned and Sold Out Strategies is no longer part of Rayo OKC

http://newsok.com/rayo-okc-coach-steps-down/article/5512579

This has become a weird mess overnight...

with SOS leaving the team I don't see them back next year.

This has become a weird mess overnight...

This is not a good sign for Oklahoma City. The two franchises (NASL/USL) together has shown us the overall strength potential of our market (MSA).

If we lose the NASL; will Funk/McLaughlin continue to push our market to its potential?

This is not a good sign for Oklahoma City. The two franchises (NASL/USL) together has shown us the overall strength potential of our market (MSA).

I know it looks bad on the surface to have a minor league team folding, but even as a member of The Grid I feel comfortable saying that the folding of Rayo OKC won't be due to the local market, the on-field performance, or the management of an ownership team that I despise.

The Spanish side took a beating at home and got relegated to a lower division. They are broke and they can't justify spending any money on a minor league team in Oklahoma when their own team in Spain can't even compete and their stadium is crumbling. They are trying to cut their losses and are making some hard, and horrible, choices here in Oklahoma to save money (or maybe even try to make a tiny bit of money). If it wasn't for the Spanish owners, I think Rayo OKC would be doing fine right now.

Reports were that they were seeking a buyer of their share of Rayo OKC, and if true then it is a bit concerning that they weren't able to find anyone to buy it.


If we lose the NASL; will Funk/McLaughlin continue to push our market to its potential?

Their response will be the deciding factor there, that's for sure. The two ownership groups hate each other, and they won't do anything to help each other out (at least that's my opinion). But since SOS already left Rayo OKC that might make things a bit easier for the Energy to be the "good guy" and try to safe the face of soccer in OKC.

The vast majority of fans are not going to know, nor are they going to care, about the specific reasons why the Spaniards are doing what they are doing. They are going to see "soccer failing" in Oklahoma City, and many new fans who spend money on shirts and scarves are going to be pissed off and wondering if they are even going to finish the season.

If the Energy is wise they will step in and try to act with compassion rather than schadenfreude. Actively try to market yourself to the fans that Rayo OKC captured. Hold special events where people can trade in scarves/shirts/jerseys. Make it clear that it sucks for soccer that Rayo folded, but that soccer is still here if you really want it.

There is going to be a group of people that will never step foot inside of Taft. And there are people at Taft that would make their life miserable if they tried.

But the Energy have a shot at picking up a good chunk of the Rayo fans if they play their cards right.

I haven't followed Rayo closely, but I do remember when they were first announced there was a lot of grumbling about the Spanish owners and how poorly he managed his other team in Spain. It may have been right here that I read it, but I remember thinking it didn't portend a bright future. It's unfortunate this is happening because I think OKC will very soon be ripe for an MLS team that could be our second uniting sports force.

I haven't followed Rayo closely, but I do remember when they were first announced there was a lot of grumbling about the Spanish owners and how poorly he managed his other team in Spain. It may have been right here that I read it, but I remember thinking it didn't portend a bright future. It's unfortunate this is happening because I think OKC will very soon be ripe for an MLS team that could be our second uniting sports force.

Rayo Vallecano got relegated which means they lost a butt load of money and are now scrambling and cutting their losses.

http://www.rayookc.com/news/2016/08/07/rayo-okc-snaps-cosmos-record-setting-home-win-streak-in-1-1-draw
12859
RAYO OKC SNAPS COSMOS' RECORD-SETTING HOME WIN STREAK IN 1-1 DRAW

just check tickets for tonights match and there is so many tickets left available for tonights match i won't be surprise after what happen with this team that only 2,000-3,000 people will show up tonight.

Well, I'm sure that all the bad publicity these past few weeks isn't helping the team any and I wouldn't be surprised if people are going to stay at home if they think that the team is just on life support to finish up the season before shutting down.

Which sucks for the players, especially since they are doing really well right now. Even if the team is done after this season, fans should stay with their team and see them through to the end and support them while they (hopefully) finish the season up on a high note. Let them go out on top of the table and quit in style.

Attendance hasn't been that good with either team of late. Totally disappointed with our Energy FC who can't buy a goal. Really disappointed with attendance for both franchises which has fallen of late--figures as of August 1, 2016:

35. Oklahoma City Energy FC - 5,097 for eight home games (Total = 40,777) .
40. Rayo OKC - 4,416 for ten home games (Total = 44,160).

Source: http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/

Which is part of the reason why, if Rayo OKC won't be back after this year, the Energy FC front-office need to start on a goodwill mission towards Rayo fans. At least that's my opinion. Get at least some of those butts into the seats at Taft for next season.

Which is part of the reason why, if Rayo OKC won't be back after this year, the Energy FC front-office need to start on a goodwill mission towards Rayo fans. At least that's my opinion. Get at least some of those butts into the seats at Taft for next season.

Agree,

If worst comes to worst for Rayo OKC; Oklahoma City Energy FC should begin that goodwill mission (ASAP) with Rayo OKC and attempt to secure some of the their quality NASL players.

There will be a push to upgrade the USL a level up to tier II (same as the NASL).

There's mutual respect for both franchises. Believe that one franchise will be an asset for the OKC metropolitan area.

Oklahoma City Energy FC should begin plans to build their own soccer specific stadium or partner with the City, preferably near the riverfront core development. An 8,000 - 10,000 seat starter for future MLS expansion could draw a solid following of 7,000-8,000 downtown vs. the Taft Stadium location.

Tough 2 - 1 loss to Miami FC for Rayo OKC, this team just can't get a break.

http://www.nasl.com/match-center/1219/okc-vs-mia Attendance = 1,251

Ouch

Breaking News: Rayo OKC Minority Owner Sean James has removed 40 of 92 artificial turf pallets and the team did not give him permission to remove the pitch and they have no idea where he put it. As of now September 11th game will be happening they don't know which type of field the team will be playing on. Via James Poling from Newsok.com

Very strange and does not exactly inspire confidence in the leadership of this franchise.

So from what I could gather via Twitter:

-The Spaniards didn't want to spend money on the turf at the very beginning, and just wanted to play on the football field
-He purchased the turf himself because he was concerned about playing on the football field
-Some new conflict now between use of the turf or installation costs
-he took "his" turf

NASL needs to end Rayo OKC asap.

Rayo OKC falls to Minnesota United 1-0. Michel got a red card in the 88 minute which means he will be out the next game

i fell bad for Rayo OKC.... Sunday Night attendance was 926. I think this is the end of NASL in OKC.

i fell bad for Rayo OKC.... Sunday Night attendance was 926. I think this is the end of NASL in OKC.

Huh? Can someone give me a recap of what's happened? I know the big club got relegated, but did they officially sell Rayo OKC off already?

I thought they were doing really well and pulling in thousands. For what it's worth, Tulsa's USL team has also tanked and could be done for after this year. Is the soccer bubble bursting again, or is it just these local teams?

First I've heard that of Tulsa...I know the team is awful but I've always thought the soccer culture in Tulsa was stronger than OKC

Huh? Can someone give me a recap of what's happened? I know the big club got relegated, but did they officially sell Rayo OKC off already?

I thought they were doing really well and pulling in thousands. For what it's worth, Tulsa's USL team has also tanked and could be done for after this year. Is the soccer bubble bursting again, or is it just these local teams?
The main owner of Rayo OKC let go half of the front office including the game operations crew. Sold Out strategies Brad Lund group is no longer part of Rayo OKC.

Are they even doing any kind of promotions anymore to let people know that they are still playing? And how was the field issue resolved?

Are they even doing any kind of promotions anymore to let people know that they are still playing? And how was the field issue resolved?

Last story I read on NewsOk said the field issue is not resolved...

Last story I read on NewsOk said the field issue is not resolved...

Well, they did play up there the other night so they at least temporarily put it back together. Not sure of the future.

So, if it is true what I read and a guy got thrown out of the stadium for sitting the national anthem, somebody just picked up a lawsuit.