happens every time there is an oil boom Jerry. The oilies get all puffed up and think they're high society and start building huge wine cellars.
Funk Jr's main problem with running hockey in town is he has a real disdain for the people who are the actual hockey lovers in town. Definitely some elitism at work there and it sure seems blazer fans took notice.

I see Edgar's lunacy knows no boundaries, it stretches across multiple topics.

Again, if there are old Blazers fans staying at home because of why you say, then aren't really die hard hockey fans.

Why would Funk Jr. waste lots of money just to drive hockey fans out of town or to just kill soccer here? That's as goofy as those that think people buy businesses that lose money "for the tax write off". LOL.

Of course he didn't intend to kill hockey in OKC. No doubt he had high hopes. He just doesn't know what he's doing. Seems odd you'd want him to lead a new sports venture. Funk is one of our religious right plutocrats, and Brad Lund seems to be persona non grata for some reason. Who would you choose to lead your new operation?

Because I don't care if someone is a religious right plutocrat, it has zero to do with their ability to run a sports franchise.

From what I can tell, people supporting Lund and NASL were huge pre-Funk Blazer fans. Problem is, OKC has had a lot of new people move to this city since the Blazers were here, and what they see in the Energy thus far is a professional operation who appears to have their stuff in order. There is zero outside bias from being jolted over their precious lower level minor league hockey team that was popular in pre-Thunder OKC.

I heard that Funk was the one that blocked the sale of the redhawks to the rangers

I heard that Funk was the one that blocked the sale of the redhawks to the rangers

Jeez! Are you feeding the GD troll?

Design Our Scarf! (http://www.oklahomacityfc.com/fans/scarf-contest)
7486

Oklahoma City FC invites fans to design club scarf » Local News » The Edmond Sun (http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x360404025/Oklahoma-City-FC-invites-fans-to-design-club-scarf)

Oklahoma City FC Invites Fans To Design Club Scarf - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/25263754/oklahoma-city-fc-invites-fans-to-design-club-scarf)

2015 games will be played in Yukon, per Twitter. https://twitter.com/OklahomaCityFC

2015 games will be played in Yukon, per Twitter. https://twitter.com/OklahomaCityFC

So now both teams will be playing in high school football stadiums. The key, I think, will be which one gets out first. Whoever builds their own stadium, or gets a lease to play in Bricktown Ballpark, will fire the final shot in this war, IMHO

So now both teams will be playing in high school football stadiums. The key, I think, will be which one gets out first. Whoever builds their own stadium, or gets a lease to play in Bricktown Ballpark, will fire the final shot in this war, IMHO

On some level I almost would have expected they might do a minor revamp of the older stadium that was just replaced a year or two ago if they were picking one of the two (note it was mostly replaced due to moving the high school, the field is in great shape since they put in a really nice artificial turf and sub-surface two or three years before it was replaced), they both are artificial turf but at least if you used the old one it could be changed to only soccer lines. They could also do it in whatever colors and logos they want (for reference Yukon's colors are Red, White and while not official but highly common Black) since it pretty much is a practice field for middle schools now.

Who wants to go to Yukon for soccer? Not me (no offense). Edmond, maybe, I might be convinced. Norman, yes. Yukon? Just doesn't grab me. It's a fine place, I just don't immediately think of other things to possibly do like with Norman or Edmond...

Who wants to go to Yukon for soccer? Not me (no offense). Edmond, maybe, I might be convinced. Norman, yes. Yukon? Just doesn't grab me. It's a fine place, I just don't immediately think of other things to possibly do like with Norman or Edmond...

Edmond's were probably out since the high schools only have like a tenth the seating capacity they will have with Yukon (or most of the other high schools), I could see Moore's or Douglass before Norman's just due to it being 1/3 farther out than any of the other suburbs. After finding the full press release, I think it may be more to do with the athletic support facilities, media facilities & private suits in the new Yukon stadium than anything else

The Edmond High Schools play football at Wantland Stadium on the campus of UCO. It has a capacity of 10,000.

The Edmond High Schools play football at Wantland Stadium on the campus of UCO. It has a capacity of 10,000.

That makes more sense, the fields by the high schools look like they barely would have enough for a parents section. Are the stands scaled for the track events/soccer?

I can see this team moving to Lawton or enid before they score 1 goal.

they will follow the footsteps of the Calvary or the USBL team.

I can see this team moving to Lawton or enid before they score 1 goal.

they will follow the footsteps of the Calvary or the USBL team.

Moving to Lawton was one of the most bizarre moves I have ever heard a team do, I wonder if they were just keeping the team active till they could find a buyer. I doubt the league would approve them if they have any say in relocation sites, it seems hard to believe a city outside a top 50 MSA would be allowed with all the options, outside the top 100 should be a guaranteed no. Lawton is number 300 on the list of MSAs, Enid's population is low enough it is not even rated as a metropolitan area.

So now both teams will be playing in high school football stadiums. The key, I think, will be which one gets out first. Whoever builds their own stadium, or gets a lease to play in Bricktown Ballpark, will fire the final shot in this war, IMHO

NASL Oklahoma City FC is one year away (2015). They've had their key investor switch over to the rival USL Pro (Oklahoma City Energy); taking with him the rights to the lease of Taft Stadium. The Oklahoma City Energy has gotten a head start.

NASL Oklahoma City FC are still moving forward despite these turn of events. Let's support this group, give them a look; they deserve a fair shake. Yukon High School Stadium will be rocking in 2015.


Who's It Gonna Be, The Energy or OKC FC?

We have two groups who have invested in Oklahoma City. When the dust clears, one of these groups will survive. The USL-Pro Oklahoma City Energy has stated that their goal is to eventually bring an MLS franchise to Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City FC will debut in the NASL in 2015; they want to bring what will be the 'highest level' of soccer for Oklahoma City. Let's support one or both. The OKC community needs to be united when the dust clears; inasmuch one of these groups will be left standing.


..."The key, I think, will be which one gets out first. Whoever builds their own stadium, or gets a lease to play in Bricktown Ballpark, will fire the final shot in this war".---borchard

Would love to see the Bricktown Ballpark used as a multi use facility with the possibility of being expanded to 20,000-plus for soccer or American football.

Bricktown Ballpark (Right field 325, Center 400, Left field 325): Does this stadium have the room for a soccer field configuration? Those in 'the know' please give us some feedback...


https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608043395014069500&pid=15.1

Can the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark be configured or retrofitted for multi use?

Source: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickasaw_Bricktown_Ballpark)



http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

News (http://www.oklahomacityfc.com/news)
The Yukon Public Schools Board of Education has taken a critical step forward in bringing the North American Soccer League (NASL) to Oklahoma City. On Monday, the Board unanimously approved a resolution directing Superintendent Dr. Jason Simeroth to enter into a multiyear lease with Oklahoma City FC to host professional soccer games at Miller Stadium beginning in spring 2015.

Oklahoma City FC has been working diligently since January to bring the NASL to the metro area. The NASL is a professional soccer league established in the United States and Canada with 10 teams playing in 2014. Oklahoma City FC will join a thriving NASL that includes the reigning Soccer Bowl champion New York Cosmos, as well as the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Minnesota United FC, Ottawa Fury FC, San Antonio Scorpions FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Jacksonville Armada FC and Virginia Cavalry FC will join Oklahoma City FC as expansion franchises in 2015.

“This is an important step in the effort to get back on track in Oklahoma City,” noted NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “Now we can begin to finalize the process with Oklahoma City FC and focus on bringing Oklahoma City some great professional soccer. Our Board of Governors will review the ownership group and the stadium plan at our next meeting on June 4.”

The $17 million Miller Stadium opened in 2011. It is widely regarded as the premier high school stadium in Oklahoma. The stadium has fixed seating of 6,500, and can be expanded to hold almost 12,000 fans. It features a split-level press box for working media and private suites. A 24,000-square-foot wellness center sits in the south end of the complex; it includes state-of-the-art dressing rooms, physical therapy facilities, coaches’ offices and a weight room. The stadium also features a large video board on the north end of the facility.

“I am thrilled we are able to offer the Yukon community the experience of professional sports right here at home; opportunities such as this don't come along every day,” Simeroth said.

“When Sold Out Strategies approached us to partner with them, we jumped at the chance. The impact this will have on our community and school district will be nothing but positive. We look forward to hosting a professional soccer team in our state-of-the-art facilities and invite the community and businesses to help us welcome Oklahoma City FC in the spring of 2015,” he said.
Oklahoma City FC, managed by Sold Out Strategies, also fields Academy teams in the men’s National Premier Soccer League and Women’s Premier Soccer League. Academy home games are played at Casady School in Oklahoma City. The men’s home opener is slated for May 23 against the Fort Worth Vaqueros; the women open on May 25 against FC Tulsa Spirit.

“Miller Stadium is spectacular,” said Brad Lund, spokesperson for Oklahoma City FC’s ownership group. “We look forward to creating the NASL’s best home-field advantage.”
The NASL features a split-season schedule running from April to early November, with a four-week break during the 2014 World Cup. The Spring and Fall champions, along with the two teams with best combined Spring/Fall records, meet in a four-team single- elimination tournament known as The Championship.

For more information, go to OklahomaCityFC.com or call (405) 232-NASL(6275).

http://dailytrackpic.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/yukon-high-school.png
Yukon High School Millers' Stadium: seating capacity 6,500


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Who wants to go to Yukon for soccer? Not me (no offense). Edmond, maybe, I might be convinced. Norman, yes. Yukon? Just doesn't grab me. It's a fine place, I just don't immediately think of other things to possibly do like with Norman or Edmond...I don't really see the problem. Yukon is growing and becoming cool. Nothing really special about it, but not bad either.

I don't really see the problem. Yukon is growing and becoming cool. Nothing really special about it, but not bad either.


Yukon is cool? yea I see a bunch of hipsters moving out there.... Yukon, del city, Blanchard all one in the same.

Yukon is cool? yea I see a bunch of hipsters moving out there.... Yukon, del city, Blanchard all one in the same.

Fail...... Yukon > del city To be a realist here, ther's a different class of folks out west as opposed to those in Del City.

The sports facilities in Yukon are better than any in central Oklahoma. Players may not be very good in some sports, but the facilities rival Jenks, Union and Owasso.

Really. Are hipsters cool ?

Again, no offense to Yukon was intended. I was just saying there are other things about Edmond and Norman that entice me to make a trip there so I can do multiple things while out there if there was also soccer. Yukon is a fine place, but there's nothing else I want to do there. The same would go for the Mid-Del area. Just an opinion.

Where's that green-chile New Mexican food restaurant opened by a native chef? Isn't that in Yukon? Aren't a couple of craft beers brewed in Yukon? How much further is Red Rock? I'd have to do some more reconnaissance, but I think Yukon could merit some consideration.

Yep, The Green Chile Cafe. It's on Rt 66 in Yukon and it's really good.
This is my opinion:
OKC FC will be playing in a new high school football stadium in a less than desirable location with artificial turf, football lines, and a video screen.
OKC Energy will be playing in a new high school football stadium in a less than desirable location with artificial turf, football lines, and a video screen.
Whoever moves into their own soccer-specific stadium (OR into Bricktown Ballpark) first, will win.

Yukon is cool? yea I see a bunch of hipsters moving out there.... Yukon, del city, Blanchard all one in the same.hipsters in Yukon? Seriously???? I know people that love there. There are not large populations of hipsters.

i know people that love there.
tmi

NASL is going to crash and burn. I'm no soccer fan but I dig the Energy logo. If that grabs me, why do I want to like another soccer team?


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I was reading in the paper today and it made it seem that the nasl team wasn't going to happen. Was talking about the people who originally wanted the nasl team teaming up with funk so they wouldn't be competiting and about the energy renovating the Taft stadium for their use. I guess now I'm confused.

I was reading in the paper today and it made it seem that the nasl team wasn't going to happen. Was talking about the people who originally wanted the nasl team teaming up with funk so they wouldn't be competiting and about the energy renovating the Taft stadium for their use. I guess now I'm confused.


The main backer, Tim McLaughlin, pulled out of the NASL group and joined with Funk and the Energy. With him he brought the lease to Taft and the use of the field at OCU.

The NASL group found other backers, with "more money than McLaughlin" according to some, and have decided to move forward. You are welcome to decide for yourself why that is.


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Oh gotcha. I'm almost thinking the NASL is never going to even play a game in OKC.

I didn't see it, but my wife said this morning on KFOR, a guy from the NASL group was interviewed. Her 10 second summary to me was that they are going forward full steam ahead and addressed going head to head with the Energy competing for the OKC soccer fans. I tried to find a recap online with no luck.

I can tell you, after talking to two of the owners, that they are really committed to bring the NASL to Oklahoma City. They believe it's a going to be a great thing for the city. They have the full support of the NASL president, and the rest of the league. I'm excited about it. We'll see what happens. I have always been on Team OKCFC. I loved the games last year at OCU. I like that they are a true grass-roots organization. The whole thing started with the formation of Oklahoma FC, which was the coming together of (2) separate soccer groups in this area.
From that, they first started a Women's team in the WPSL. Then they started the OKC FC men's team last year in the PDL. The support they got from the start is what really made them want to look higher. The ensuing fight is well-documented. I am glad that now that a venue has been finalized they are pushing forward with media efforts to get their name out, and let people know who they are. What i will REALLY look forward to is next year in the U.S. Open Cup and the possibility that the Energy and OKC FC will be paired against each other.

tmitmi? What does that mean? Too much information? Too many infractions? Too much indigestion? OKCretro 'liked' it, so I'm assuming it was in disagreement of me.

tmi? What does that mean? Too much information? Too many infractions? Too much indigestion? OKCretro 'liked' it, so I'm assuming it was in disagreement of me.

I think it was a joke about you missing a word. You said: "i know people that love there" and probably meant "i know people that love it there." Joking about you making it sound like you know people that make love there.

I think it was a joke about you missing a word. You said: "i know people that love there" and probably meant "i know people that love it there." Joking about you making it sound like you know people that make love there.ah.. I see. I completely missed that :p

Saw an ad in the Mustang Times today advertising a men and women's OKC FC game. Thought it was pretty interesting.

7969

There were 1200-1300 people at the game in Yukon. I thought this was a great turnout for;
1. an amateur game, with about a week's lead time of promotion.
2. energy had a home game at the same time
3. Thunder v Spurs Game 6 was going on downtown as well.

I think this is a very good sign for soccer in OKC.
BTW, next home game is Sunday, June 15 against the wankers from Tulsa! :-)

This Sunday night, at Casady, OKC FC plays Tulsa Athletics. Would be great to have a ton of people come out and have a really raucous atmosphere for those wankers from up the turnpike. :-)

Awesome game. OKC FC beat Tulsa Athletics 5-2! That was the first regular season loss in two years for Tulsa. I love all of the one-off t-shirts that are being lately. I'm gonna look into making one that just says OKC > Tulsa :-)

Glad to see the enthusiastic interest in soccer in our city (World Cup, USL-Pro, NASL). This is exemplary of the diversification of where sports is headed in our city.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Glad to see the enthusiastic interest in soccer in our city (World Cup, USL-Pro, NASL). This is exemplary of the diversification of where sports is headed in our city.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

I heard that more people watched the USA vs Ghana match of the World Cup than watched the NBA and NHL finals. If that's true, I'd say soccer is really starting to carry some weight in the USA.

I heard that more people watched the USA vs Ghana match of the World Cup than watched the NBA and NHL finals. If that's true, I'd say soccer is really starting to carry some weight in the USA.

More than NHL, yes, NBA, not so much. Washington D.C. is the soccer capital of America | For The Win (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/world-cup-ratings-washington-dc-espn-record-usa-ghana)

The world cup team represents the entire nation where the NHL and NBA finals were about 4 cities. Additionally the NHL final game was on a Friday night which would attract fewer viewers than on a Sun-Thur. night. All in all it is hard to compare between these entities. I would be curious as to the numbers in LA, NY, San Antonio, and Miami going head to head with soccer.

I heard that more people watched the USA vs Ghana match of the World Cup than watched the NBA and NHL finals. If that's true, I'd say soccer is really starting to carry some weight in the USA.
I heard the numbers this morning.
1st Round USA game on Monday afternoon got like 15.2 million (BTW, a record for ESPN, apparently)
NBA Finals with a cherry-picked prime time slot got 17 million.
Awesome numbers!

I heard the numbers this morning.
1st Round USA game on Monday afternoon got like 15.2 million (BTW, a record for ESPN, apparently)
NBA Finals with a cherry-picked prime time slot got 17 million.
Awesome numbers!

I agree, still great numbers. Had the game been more prime time, I'd bet that it would have received more views. Still shows a trend of soccer starting to take off in the USA.

Good early indicators that soccer seeds are taking root in OKC. The TV household numbers are encouraging here and throughout. Watch as the world's most truly international game cultivates our region.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Good early indicators that soccer seeds are taking root in OKC. The TV household numbers are encouraging here and throughout. Watch as the world's most truly international game cultivates our region.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

This has been said over and over for 20+ years

Does anyone know where to find OKC's Nielsen ratings for the game?

I heard the numbers this morning.
1st Round USA game on Monday afternoon got like 15.2 million (BTW, a record for ESPN, apparently)
NBA Finals with a cherry-picked prime time slot got 17 million.
Awesome numbers!

Monday night’s thriller attracted 11.093 million viewers and earned a 6.3 rating, which are both records for any soccer game on ESPN. The game was also viewed by 1.4 million on the WatchESPN app. As a comparison, the last Stanley Cup Finals game on Friday had six million viewers on NBC. The clinching game of the NBA Finals attracted 18 million viewers to ABC. On ESPN, 11 million viewers is about the same that watched the 2014 Orange Bowl. The average viewership for Monday Night Football is 13.2 million.

Washington D.C. is the soccer capital of America | For The Win (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/world-cup-ratings-washington-dc-espn-record-usa-ghana)

This has been said over and over for 20+ years

I have heard the same line since the 1970's when Pele came here to play for the NY Cosmos.

I have heard the same line since the 1970's when Pele came here to play for the NY Cosmos.
I heard the same thing in the late 70's, then again after the 1994 World Cup. But I've never seen such actual proof of people getting into it like I have in last few years, and especially this year in the led up to the World Cup.

I heard the same thing in the late 70's, then again after the 1994 World Cup. But I've never seen such actual proof of people getting into it like I have in last few years, and especially this year in the led up to the World Cup.

Maybe because social media is now a force?

Maybe because social media is now a force?

Social media and alternative media like what's available on the internet. We used to get zero soccer coverage in The USA for the most part. Now there are YouTube channels maintained by MLS and US Soccer, tons of podcasts, message boards... There have always been soccer fans in the USA. Difference is now we can all easily communicate with one another easily. It's helped grow the sport here in a major way.


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I just found out couple of days ago that OKC FC in the NASL will now start spring of 2016 not 2015.

I just found out couple of days ago that OKC FC in the NASL will now start spring of 2016 not 2015.

What a blow! That hit me right in the gut...

The NASL is ranked above USL-Pro, yet below MLS. Everyone was excited; we waited that full year while the OKC Energy got a staggered start. It's a lot I don't understand about soccer hierarchy. Maybe there's a thin line between the USL-Pro & the NASL; a bigger gap from those leagues to MLS.

What's with the NASL delay?

The Energy is promising to take us to the next level. Really?

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like we haven't heard that phrase from the 'Funks' before. In all honesty, I have seen this organization take steps toward their goals; this upcoming season will be the tell-tale heart of what Prodigal can become. You would think that a lot of this has to do with the collective work of the 'Funks & McLaughlin.' McLaughlin adds to the mix; however, let's get some experienced executives on board who can do the 'foot' work.

If they (Energy) can pull 5,000 plus average attendance at Taft next season, this trigger will signal that they are ready to achieve the next benchmark; build that 7,000-seat venue that would be necessary as a foundation for something bigger & better.

Glad to see Bob Funk Jr., get some marketing professionals on his team who are capable of working in an area where he doesn't have expertise (that's putting it mildly).

I'm tired of OKC's role as the development city for a major league operation in which we should be in pursuit of our own.

I'll purchase Oklahoma City Energy season tickets for 2015. Just want the best for Oklahoma City. A stable NBA we've achieved with 7 solid years as we enter the 8th year as a big league city. The NASL would have filled that void for soccer; however, I'm impressed with the progress of the Energy organization.

Many will doubt (naysayers) if that will happen; it's not like we haven't heard the pessimistic attitude before. Maybe soccer if different.

'When and if' the NASL-OKC make their 2016 debut; I'll give them a second look.

Information please?

Hate to dig up what was deemed a retired thread..

Heard that the NASL Oklahoma City FC will play 2016 season in Yukon (Miller Stadium). Does anyone have any recent information about NASL play in OKC for the 2016 season?

Information please?

Hate to dig up what was deemed a retired thread..

Heard that the NASL Oklahoma City FC will play 2016 season in Yukon (Miller Stadium). Does anyone have any recent information about NASL play in OKC for the 2016 season?

Oklahoma City FC - OKLAHOMA CITY FC EXECUTES STADIUM LEASE (http://www.oklahomacityfc.com/news/71-oklahoma-city-fc-executes-stadium-lease)

Pretty Sure this is dead. http://www.nasl.com/nasl-teams