Rayo OKC

[d-usa]

Have they shown the jerseys? I haven't seen them, but I was also thinking that they might copy the "original" Rayo look.

I'm mixed on the green Energy look. I think it looks good, and I like it. But it also looks like Seattle, so I hate it.

Being a soccer fan is complicated...

[borchard]

Have they shown the jerseys? I haven't seen them, but I was also thinking that they might copy the "original" Rayo look.

I'm mixed on the green Energy look. I think it looks good, and I like it. But it also looks like Seattle, so I hate it.

Being a soccer fan is complicated...

LOL! Yes it IS!
As far as I know they will be the same as Vallecano. That, and the crest, are part of the heritage they want to use. From what I've heard even the red sash HAS to go left-to-right, so as to cross over the heart.
I know it wasn't the reason, but I think it makes it better that Rayo OKC's colors are; Red, White, and Black. Yukon's colors are; Red, White, and Black.
And I have to watch what I say, apparently, because everything I post is seen as a slam to the other team. But, my friend is from Seattle, and a HUGE Sounders fan, and he thinks the colors and crest of the energy is way to close to SSFC.
Even the large TIFO that was unveiled at the opening game last year against Sounders2 was SUPPOSED to be the Survivor Tree, but REALLY looked like a complete ripoff of the Cascadia flag. Sorry.
We are trying VERY HARD to not copy anyone else's stuff. To that end our first commitment is to NEVER sing "OH when the (WHATEVER) goes marching in..." There is no team on this continent who should be singing that song.
I will admit, it's hard though.

[borchard]

Thought this was interesting. I really had no idea!

[borchard]

Thought this was pretty interesting, too
Study: MLS Tickets Are World's Worst Soccer Value - US News

A "soccer price index" rated American soccer tickets as the worst value among leagues in 25 countries.

Apparently, MLS tickets cost on average $46.22, making them the fifth most expensive among the 25 countries countries they listed.

[borchard]

Rayo OKC had their first team meeting last night. And in a picture posted on Twitter you can see a few more players that have not been announced yet;
Joel Lindpere

Lance Parker


Also, according to La Marca in Spain, Rayo OKC have signed Spanish Midfielder Yuma

[borchard]

Been seeing rumblings about an announcement of a new NASL team in Chicago soon. Peter WIlt, who helped start the MLS Fire, and then moved onto Indianapolis to start the wildly successful NASL Indy 11 looks ready to announce that The Chicago Sting will be coming back to NASL, and possibly playing at Soldier Field. THAT would be a great road trip!

[borchard]

http://twitter.com/KyleRayoOKC/statu...86801228353536

[Laramie]

Really impressed with Rayo OKC's initial presence in the OKC-Yukon area; this should translate into metro-wide support. Real foot soldiers canvassing the community--acts like this doesn't go unnoticed.

[borchard]

[borchard]

Welcome to Rayo OKC!

[borchard]

Practice has officially started!
#LetsGoRayo!

[borchard]

Oh, BTW, one of the players in that picture is Robbie Finley, over five years MLS playing experience and ELEVEN Caps for the U.S. Men's National Team! Can't WAIT to see him play for Rayo OKC!

[bradh]

Oh, BTW, one of the players in that picture is Robbie Finley, over five years MLS playing experience and ELEVEN Caps for the U.S. Men's National Team! Can't WAIT to see him play for Rayo OKC!

good get, was wondering where he was, kinda fell off the face of the planet as far as the MNT goes

[borchard]

Really getting excited to start the season. I know the team is getting ready for a full court press on Media Releases. REALLY looking forward to the word getting out!

[borchard]

[borchard]

rayo okc signs u.s. National team veteran robbie findley

[Zuplar]

Really getting excited to start the season. I know the team is getting ready for a full court press on Media Releases. REALLY looking forward to the word getting out!

I'm sure you've said somewhere, but when does the regular season start? Also has there been any talk about price for single tickets? I've been wanting to go to some soccer games, but the Energy just aren't that close. This will be much closer and I'm sure my buddy that lives in Yukon will want to go with me.

[borchard]

I'm sure you've said somewhere, but when does the regular season start? Also has there been any talk about price for single tickets? I've been wanting to go to some soccer games, but the Energy just aren't that close. This will be much closer and I'm sure my buddy that lives in Yukon will want to go with me.

First game is April 2nd at Miller Stadium Here is the list of ticket prices. And THANK YOU for saying what you did about distance. Everyone seems to want to talk about how "far away" Yukon is. They seem to forget that A LOT of people ACTUALLY live in Canadian County.
Also, signed up a new Supporter's Group member at the event last night. He lives in Del City!
Look forward to seeing you there:

[warreng88]

Rayo OKC shooting for 5,000 fans per game

By: Adam R. Brooks The Journal Record February 25, 2016

YUKON – The second professional soccer team in the metro area chose the name Rayo OKC. But the team will play home matches at Yukon High School’s Miller Stadium.

Team officials said they don’t expect the location to prevent fans from checking out the new product.

Minority owner Sean Jones said that with Interstate 40 and the Kilpatrick Turnpike, the stadium is just 15 or 20 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City and Edmond. Managing partner DeBray Ayala said that 1.5 million people live within an hour’s drive, and that Canadian County is the fastest-growing youth soccer region in the state.

Rayo will host FC Edmonton for its first match April 2. After unveiling most of its roster Thursday, the next big steps are training camp in Florida and revealing the uniform early in March. Showing off the kit will help address one challenge.

“For any new franchise, getting your name out there and branding” are critical, Ayala said.

He said he expects a packed house for the opener, though he said he doesn’t have a magic number in mind that will make it a success.

“We plan to have the stadium full and vibrant and festive,” he said.

Miller Stadium has seats for about 6,000 people, he said, plus field boxes.

Energy FC, which has played two seasons in the USL, averaged 4,900 fans per match last year. Josh Evans, the team’s vice president of communications, said season ticket sales rose for the coming season.

The team plays at Taft Stadium, near NW 23rd Street and May Avenue in Oklahoma City.

Ayala said that, despite having another pro team in the metro area, Rayo’s real competition for family entertainment dollars comes from just going to the movies or out to dinner. He said the club aims to provide complete entertainment at the stadium, along with a great fan experience.

Team officials seemed aware of their rivals at a media event Thursday. Ayala said the NASL offers a higher level of player and talent, and that one difference between the leagues is that player budgets are in the millions for NASL.

“Guys can make a significant career in NASL,” he said.

He called the USL a developmental league.

Several Rayo players have recent experience in Major League Soccer, and four signees have played for their national teams in the World Cup, including the United States’ Robbie Finley. Regardless, Ayala said he hopes the metro area can support two clubs, but that Rayo and its Spanish partner, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, are in the game for the long haul.

Jones said the team plans to draw about 5,000 fans per match for the first season. He said he hopes those who attend will want to come back and buy season tickets for the sophomore season.

Long term, Jones said he would hope to see 10,000 people per match, and in the next few years consider the possibility of a downtown Oklahoma City stadium, though he said that may not be feasible. Land costs are high, and it might be hard to compete with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

But he thinks the team can thrive once fans realize Yukon isn’t so far away.

“If we can get people here once or twice, that perception issue goes away,” he said.

[borchard]

[borchard]

One incredible factoid about the last signing, Richard Menjivar; he not only PLAYED for El Salvador, but he will be PLAYING for El Salvador this summer!
And...this Thursday Rayo OKC will announce their latest signing. If it is the player I've heard about, then he truly is a "World Class" player. Looking forward to the Event Thursday evening.

[borchard]

So since the cat is already, apparently, out of the bag I'll go ahead and say what I've heard. Rayo OKC is expected to sign Georges Samaras later today.

The 31yr old Samaras played for Greece in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In Greece's final group stage game, he assisted Greece's first goal and scored the winning goal in the 90th minute to give the team a 2–1 win and qualify Greece for the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history.

[Laramie]

The Oklahoma City metro area will be blessed with two reputable professional soccer franchises represented by USL Oklahoma City Energy FC & NASL Rayo OKC.

Georges Samaras signing will be huge. Once the guys already signed mesh together & start clicking on all cylinders the impact it could have on soccer in this region will be significant.

We need our local press to really get on top of this.

[borchard]

Great night last night. SOOOO looking forward to seeing Georgios Samaras play for Rayo OKC. The coolest part? There was an older Greek man at the event. He moved to OKC 40 yrs ago. When one of the Rayo OKC people asked him if he followed Rayo OKC he said, "I do NOW!" and pointed and Samaras. :-)

[LakeEffect]

We need our local press to really get on top of this.

National press are on top if it, which is impressive.

NASL?s Rayo OKC nabs Greece national teamer Georgios Samaras ? ProSoccerTalk

Grant Wahl, from SI, just tweeted this: "Still trying to process Georgios Samaras in Oklahoma City." https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/708303819789180928