12446
Also went by and picked up my season tickets and parking pass

The NASL will now be broadcast on @CBSSportsNet, 12447
@beINSPORTSUSA 12448
@ONEWorldSports 12449
and @ESPN312450 in 2016

The North American Soccer League and CBS Sports Network announced a national television partnership on Thursday, unveiling a schedule of 12 Fall Season matchups that will air on the network beginning in July.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with CBS Sports Network,” NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson said. “This new partnership will focus on bringing our incredible competition, and the stories that accompany it, to tens of millions of homes each week beginning in July. This is the beginning of something great.”

Rayo OKC will host FC Edmonton on Saturday, July 2 to kick off the lineup of NASL matches on CBS Sports Network. The schedule, which adds professional soccer to CBS Sports Network’s summer schedule, includes four matches in July, four in August, and two matches in both September and October, respectively

I loved this increased visibility both locally and nationally for Oklahoma soccer!

1244412445
Went by and took pics of the field being installed this morning. Going to be awesome, I think!

Honest question. What is going to keep the patches of the field from curling up?

I think there is probably some sort of interlocking system.

I hope it's better than the trays of real grass that Reliant Stadium in Houston used. Those were awful

I hope it's better than the trays of real grass that Reliant Stadium in Houston used. Those were awful

Or what they wanted the USWNT to play on during their victory tour in Hawaii. That was pathetic.

It's an interlocking system that can be put down/taken up within 24hrs, if needed. it's ~74 yards wide so it will be a larger playing surface AND it will make the bleachers seem closer to the field. It's the same field system that Montreal Impact uses. The cost was somewhere around $800,000

I hope the seams blend better over time.

RAYO OKC MATCHES SPEARHEAD CBS SPORTS NETWORK DEAL

NASL and CBS Sports Network unveil a schedule of 12 Fall Season matchups
12451

Rayo OKC will spearhead the national television coverage of the North American Soccer League on CBS Sports Network when the second half of the 2016 NASL season kicks off in July.

Rayo OKC opens the NASL Spring Season at home to FC Edmonton at 7pm CT this Saturday, April 2, at Miller Stadium in Yukon, OK, playing 10 matches during the first part of the split season. Then on July 2, when FC Edmonton again visits Oklahoma City, the CBS Sports Network cameras will broadcast the clash to a nationwide television audience. The July 13 midweek visit of Puerto Rico FC, owned by NBA star Carmelo Anthony, will also be feature, as will the July 27 visit of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The North American Soccer League and CBS Sports Network unveiled a schedule of 12 Fall Season matchups that will air on the network beginning in July – a quarter of them Rayo OKC home matches.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with CBS Sports Network,” said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “This new partnership will focus on bringing our incredible competition, and the stories that accompany it, to tens of millions of homes each week beginning in July. This is the beginning of something great.”

The schedule, which adds professional soccer to CBS Sports Network’s summer schedule, includes four matches in July, four in August, and two matches in both September and October, respectively. The full NASL match schedule for CBS Sports Network is available at Home | NASL (http://www.NASL.com).

Rayo OKC's New 'Kit' Is Altruistic as Hell (http://screamer.deadspin.com/rayo-okcs-new-kit-is-altruistic-as-hell-1768448716)

Doh!

Controversy surrounding new pro soccer team playing at Yukon High School stadium | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2016/04/01/controversy-surrounding-new-pro-soccer-team-playing-at-yukon-high-school-stadium/)

Controversy surrounding new pro soccer team playing at Yukon High School stadium | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2016/04/01/controversy-surrounding-new-pro-soccer-team-playing-at-yukon-high-school-stadium/)

Now this is some pretty lame complaints from a few parents.

Controversy surrounding new pro soccer team playing at Yukon High School stadium | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2016/04/01/controversy-surrounding-new-pro-soccer-team-playing-at-yukon-high-school-stadium/)

Those are some incredibly lame parents

Judge bans beer sales for Rayo OKC home opener - El Reno Tribune: News (http://www.elrenotribune.com/news/article_c9f12572-f8ea-11e5-a12e-cf71c1c7a4d6.html#.Vv_yzA559jc.twitter)

Judge Banned all Beer Sales for the Home Opener

Oklahoma has some backward people, laws

Oklahoma has some backward people, laws

We continue to have to deal with this alcohol camel hump.

Announced crowd of 6,416 in Miller Stadium for Rayo OKC's opener. The Cox TV screen displayed it as a sellout--Miller Stadium's capacity is 6,500.

We continue to have to deal with this alcohol camel hump.

Announced crowd of 6,416 in Miller Stadium for Rayo OKC's opener. The Cox TV screen displayed it as a sellout--Miller Stadium's capacity is 6,500.

Sellout...12458

the HD feed on Cox is alright. But it could be a lot better.

Sellout...12458

What's your point; do you have anything positive to offer?

Have no idea as to when this pic was taken... ...Let's wish success for both USL & NASL franchises; the ownership groups have invested in our metropolitan area.

Sellout...12458This is the sh!t I'm talking about. I never see Borchard throwing these kinds of insults, only the Energy fans bitching to the Rayo fans. I couldn't care less about either soccer team honestly but I just want what is best for the city. If I was a soccer fan, I'd go for Rayo because the way this team is attacked and then the other team says they are being attacked is hilarious.

This is the sh!t I'm talking about. I never see Borchard throwing these kinds of insults, only the Energy fans bitching to the Rayo fans. I couldn't care less about either soccer team honestly but I just want what is best for the city. If I was a soccer fan, I'd go for Rayo because the way this team is attacked and then the other team says they are being attacked is hilarious.

:band:

Says the guy that thinks everybody should get out of his way on the road. Thanks Justin Bieber.

This is the sh!t I'm talking about. I never see Borchard throwing these kinds of insults, only the Energy fans bitching to the Rayo fans. I couldn't care less about either soccer team honestly but I just want what is best for the city. If I was a soccer fan, I'd go for Rayo because the way this team is attacked and then the other team says they are being attacked is hilarious.

I get tired of this crap too, but let's be honest...


Third-tier team gets third-tier TV. NASL is on HD on Cox and a few national partners to be announced. #elevate 5


Sorry, bro. I'm my own man and I'm pumped about this team. Enjoy watching lower league soccer on KSBI. I can't hear you over the NASL signing another national broadcasting deal.



Since the Energy fans are being babies about me dropping truthbombs in the thread for their 2016 winless, goalless season, I thought I would go ahead and start a friendly new friend where we could discuss the great OKC Soccer Warz.

Beware: You're hipster sensibilities may be hurt and your MLS bubbles may be burst.

I mean, really, compared to a pic of empty seats?

I get tired of this crap too, but let's be honest...

5






I mean, really, compared to a pic of empty seats?yeah i mean but that guy was a troll to begin with. but i agree with you. it is bad from both sides.

Update: Beer sales prohibited at Rayo OKC home matches
Update: Beer sales prohibited at Rayo OKC home matches - El Reno Tribune: News (http://www.elrenotribune.com/news/article_f95f2a50-f900-11e5-83ef-6765a577a56f.html)

Ruh roh, Raggy.....

Please tell me this was supposed to be Lightning Vision12459

As a soccer fan and an Energy fan I get tired of all the crap that gets thrown around on both ends. But you guys that think OKC can support two soccer teams are kidding yourselves. Soccer culture is very very different than other sports, and some of you won't understand it and that's okay, and whether you like to admit it or not having two teams is splitting soccer fans down the middle. It doesn't help that the pettiness from the owners get's thrown in our faces and it translates to the fans. Soccer is already a niche market in this country and throwing two teams at each other in a state where American Football is king, well it's just pretty stupid on their part.

I will never wish Rayo luck, wanna know why? Because it's taking fans away from the Energy, I've already met a few people that said they are going to Rayo games just because it's closer, not because it's "better" soccer. I honestly get tired of the guys on here that say OKC is big league and we can handle two soccer teams, it can't and you know what? That's okay. You can throw your statistics at me, you can throw population numbers at me that's fine, but with both teams here and both owners being as petty as they are I wouldn't be surprised if both teams fail and we end up not having any professional soccer here in OKC at all.

I've been a season ticket holder to the Energy since day one, I've picked my side and I plan to stick with it. I'm not saying this to bash the team, I'm not coming here to talk crap, I'm just being a realist. I honestly hope Rayo fails, if only for the Energy to succeed. Now if the Energy fans will stop coming to the Rayo thread and making the rest of us Energy fans look bad, well that would be much appreciated thanks.

Just hope that both of our soccer franchises can survive in the Oklahoma City market. We have two organizations who have had impressive crowds for their 2016 season openers.

The two organizations employ local telecasts of home games; they have come head-on against some tough NBA, NCAA TV telecast competition. A combined total of 12,062 fans (5,646 + 6,416) attended the OKC Energy FC & Rayo OKC openers. Wish both organizations the best.

Let's enjoy the variety of professional soccer options we have in OKC.

Elitespy that sums up our thoughts pretty well regarding the OKC soccer wars.

Sellout...12458

In the picture, if you notice, everyone is looking around and talking. This is probably a half hour before the match even started imo. I watched on 703 and the picture was pretty good but the announcer and color commentator could have better.

I had a great time at the game.
I have been waiting for three years for this to happen.
I am just as happy for Sean Jones, and the other parts of the ownership group. They have been trying to make this happen for a long time.
I love watching our team play. As Mark Rodgers said during the broadcast I never thought I'd hear these words; "Now checking into the game for OKC, Giorgio Samaras, replacing Robbie Finley!" :-)
I am 49yrs old, and last Saturday night was the first time in my life I have tail-gated! I am already looking forward to doing it all season.

In the picture, if you notice, everyone is looking around and talking. This is probably a half hour before the match even started imo. I watched on 703 and the picture was pretty good but the announcer and color commentator could have better.

Before the game started, and even right after it started, I was just resigning myself to there being an "ok" crowd. But by the middle of the 1st half it was full. I even talked to the NASL commissioner after the game. He said the same thing. He said. "I've been doing this for awhile, and I was honestly worried right before the game started. But then I looked again, and it was full! And everyone was stomping their feet..."
And as for the broadcast.
1. It looked great. They are required to shoot in HD
2. I want to give the guys a chance. This is, I believe, the first soccer game that EITHER of them have EVER broadcast? Hopefully they will find their voices during the season.

Update: Beer sales prohibited at Rayo OKC home matches
Update: Beer sales prohibited at Rayo OKC home matches - El Reno Tribune: News (http://www.elrenotribune.com/news/article_f95f2a50-f900-11e5-83ef-6765a577a56f.html)

Ruh roh, Raggy.....

Yeah, I got the story on that from the team guys. Apparently this "edict" came down at like 4:47pm on Friday. RAYO OKC got their lawyers on the phone with all the parties. Everyone agreed that it wasn't a proper interpretation of the law, which says that you cant have a BAR within 500ft of a school. Nobody was in disagreement with this except one, retiring, butt-plug judge, and the Canadian County sheriff. They tried calling the judge all day Saturday. They even went to his house! He wouldnt answer the door.
From what the team has said, this will be resolved today, they hope.

Judge bans beer sales for Rayo OKC home opener - El Reno Tribune: News (http://www.elrenotribune.com/news/article_c9f12572-f8ea-11e5-a12e-cf71c1c7a4d6.html#.Vv_yzA559jc.twitter)

Judge Banned all Beer Sales for the Home Opener

My favorite part of the article.

Edwards said he is personally opposed to selling beer on school property, but his opinion is not behind the effort to stop the beer sales. He said some have accused him of playing politics.
“The state makes an exception for colleges and universities, but Yukon High School is not a college.
“What are we going to allow next, the selling of drugs, prostitution and gambling?”

What's your point; do you have anything positive to offer?

Have no idea as to when this pic was taken... ...Let's wish success for both USL & NASL franchises; the ownership groups have invested in our metropolitan area.

Here a couple of shots from during the game.
1246312464

We continue to have to deal with this alcohol camel hump.

Well, it is a public school. What will people want next... beer while tailgating at high school football games?

My favorite part of the article.

Edwards said he is personally opposed to selling beer on school property, but his opinion is not behind the effort to stop the beer sales.
That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?

“What are we going to allow next, the selling of drugs, prostitution and gambling?”

This could lead to dancing!

That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?

Well, it is illegal. No real opinion required.

Well, it is illegal. No real opinion required.

If it's illegal, then how have the Energy been doing it since last year?

If it's illegal, then how have the Energy been doing it since last year?

Yukon vs OKC? That's my guess.

I can't find anything in the state statutes which forbids this (although most school districts have a strict no alcohol policy on school grounds).

I can't find anything in the state statutes which forbids this (although most school districts have a strict no alcohol policy on school grounds).
when Energy FC played its first year at McGuinness they were not allowed to sell any alcohol on the school property.

Well, it is a public school. What will people want next... beer while tailgating at high school football games?

You think that's not being done already?

when Energy FC played its first year at McGuinness they were not allowed to sell any alcohol on the school property.

That was school policy I believe.

You think that's not being done already?

Not legally.

You think that's not being done already?


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E8lNHvJCm-Y/S_MvcQMDTxI/AAAAAAAAADg/kbNuo_dlUxg/s1600/Im+shocked.jpg

Hope they can make an exception since this is not a school sponsored or Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) event.

That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

WHOSE opinion was behind this, you ask? Talk to your local state legislator

But they sell at Taft..

If it's illegal, then how have the Energy been doing it since last year?

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

Easy answer: Taft Stadium is not a "high school property".

It is an OKCPS property, but not a high school property.

Hope they can make an exception since this is not a school sponsored or Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) event.

I would like for the state legislature to make many exceptions to their current laws. I suggest starting with cold high point beer.

Don't hold your breath.

Final attendance for the opening game ended up pretty good.

The big challenge for this season for Rayo will be the ability to convert the people that attended for free into paying supporters by the end of the year. It's nice to be filled to capacity, but it doesn't automatically equate to fans if they are there because you were giving these seats away to a large portion of the crowd.

Free tickets get casual butts in the seats, at least during this part of the year when there are fever competing sporting events. And it is a legitimate strategy during the first game of the first season of a brand new club with no history or established fan base. (I have no idea how many people were sitting at the first Energy game holding free tickets).

But now it is up to Rayo to present an experience and team that will convince these families that they should pay for these free tickets in the future. That's the challenge for every sports team in every league.

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

Easy answer: Taft Stadium is not a "high school property".

It is an OKCPS property, but not a high school property.

NW Classen plays soccer and football there ? I believe John Marshall also, at least they used too.

NW Classen plays soccer and football there ? I believe John Marshall also, at least they used too.
Edmond schools play their football games at Wantland Stadium on the UCO campus. Does that transform a college property into a "high school property"?

How difficult is this concept to understand? Miller Stadium is on the grounds of YHS. Taft Stadium is not on the grounds of any OKCPS high school.

Edmond schools play their football games at Wantland Stadium on the UCO campus. Does that transform a college property into a "high school property"?

How difficult is this concept to understand? Miller Stadium is on the grounds of YHS. Taft Stadium is not on the grounds of any OKCPS high school.

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

Not going to disagree with you.

Unfortunately for Rayo OKC and Canadian County law enforcement officials, they're having to play cards with a deck provided by the folks at the State Capitol, ground zero for silly, illogical and nonsensical decisions.

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

It does make you wonder if both ownership groups were aware of the special status of Taft Stadium in relationship to laws regulating alcohol sales, and if that contributed to the fight about which ownership group would ultimately get the lease to Taft Stadium.

https://twitter.com/stevensandor/status/717780925753348096
stevensandor: Been told that the condition of the field in OKC was poor. #FCEd players said they found nails on turf during warm-up.

https://twitter.com/stevensandor/status/717780925753348096
stevensandor: Been told that the condition of the field in OKC was poor. #FCEd players said they found nails on turf during warm-up.

I wouldn't call that poor turf, I'd call that poor cleanup after installation.