2015 OKC Energy FC

[borchard]

Check out Bonney Field in Sacramento. It was built less than two years ago for $3 million, according to Wikipedia. It originally held 8k, but was expanded in the offseason to 11k.

[borchard]

wow, this thread has gone almost as quiet as an actual energy game

[kwhey]

Another reason to not play in bricktown. $20 "event" parking.

[kwhey]

wow, this thread has gone almost as quiet as an actual energy game

Trolling as always.

[elitespy]

Last weeks game wasn't bad.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Energy FC (in progress)

Prodigal LLC came out the gate swinging. They took full advantage of the 1 year head start they had over NASL OKC. NASL ownership group led by Tim McLaughlin later joined forces with the Funk ownership group. NASL OKC never got it footprint established in the city.

Oklahoma City Energy FC:

You finished your inaugural (2014) year with an attendance average 3,784 in a 4,000-seat stadium (96.4%) capacity.
You put a competitive franchise on the field, upgraded the player quality.
You have an affiliation with MLS Sporting K. C.
You took possession of the city's most reputable football/soccer venue (7,500-seat) Taft Stadium (Gutted, newly built).
You have the best arch rival (Tulsa Roughnecks) in the league join you in the USL. Two Tulsa home games--attendance average 4,659
You far exceeded 2014 attendance of 3,784; 636 per game--average attendance for 9 home games of 4,420

2015 figures in progress:

Oklahoma City RedHawks (2014) attendance average 6,045: Dodgers average 1,200 above last year's at this pace.

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (11,920 largest crowd 2015/Capacity *9,000): Oklahoma City Dodgers, Average attendance 7,245/43 games (80.5% capacity*)
Taft Stadium (6,797 largest crowd 2015/Capacity 7,500): Oklahoma City Energy FC, Average attendance 4,420/9 games (58.9% capacity)
Please feel free to make corrections.

Source Links:

USL Link: United Soccer League
PCL Attendance: Pacific Coast League Attendance | Pacific Coast League Stats

[kwhey]

0-0 draw against STLFC. The team hasn't won since June 13th and draws are starting to feel like losses. Gotta start getting 3 points in these matches.

[bradh]

wow, this thread has gone almost as quiet as an actual energy game

Clown

[borchard]

This from someone if Louisville, talking about playing downtown in a baseball stadium

With a new market, it's all about making it an event. The New soccer stadium that U of L built is not in the best location to draw in casual fans. By bringing it downtown, they were able to make it a much better gameday experience, which has led to the second highest average attendance. Sure, they could have drawn hardcore soccer fans to the U of L site, but downtown they are growing fans. Smart move by the front office. And to say they aren't soccer centric, they gave up MAKING money to lease the stadium and give up concession money. Heck, all they are making money on is merch. If consider that a bold move for the future of professional soccer in Louisville.

[Laramie]

Louisville is on the right track.

Expanded focus on the suggested ideas.

The idea of Taft Stadium renovation started about 25 years ago (1985) post MAPS; it has taken this long to reach that goal. The whole vicinity around Taft has changed; although things have gotten better, so has other parts of town like Bricktown which has become more attractive for support of events with the amenities the area offers.

Hijacked from the Multipurpose Sports Stadium thread:

My thoughts are thus:
I would love to see an outdoor sports venue built.
It NEEDS to be built somewhere in the downtown/ core to shore area.
I think it needs to be the 20K seat model, so it can be used NOW for soccer (USL/NASL/MLS/US Nat'l team), high school football, small college football, concerts, etc... Building a 40-70K seat stadium now, in hopes of getting NFL in 10-15yrs, would be a mistake IMHO. Build it in such a way that it can be easily expanded, if the need arises.

The Funks have floated the idea of a downtown/Bricktown/riverfront venue; possibly a private-public partnership which could bring back the 6A football high school championships to the OKC area.

There are many informed & talented posters on the OKCTALK forum; let's keep these discussions focused. Pete has provided us with this vehicle where opinions, attitudes, beliefs & ideas can be discussed in a civil manner--we can agree that it is okay to disagree.

[bradh]

There are many informed & talented posters on the OKCTALK forum; let's keep these discussions focused. Pete has provided us with this vehicle where opinions, attitudes, beliefs & ideas can be discussed in a civil manner--we can agree that it is okay to disagree.

It's also a vehicle where opinions can be discussed without the same tired schtick, belly aching and instigating that is evident from one poster in this thread.

[bradh]

0-0 draw against STLFC. The team hasn't won since June 13th and draws are starting to feel like losses. Gotta start getting 3 points in these matches.

Anyone up at SKC not seeing anytime that they may think of sending down that could help us in the playoff push?

[Laramie]

Anyone up at SKC not seeing anytime that they may think of sending down that could help us in the playoff push?

It would be nice. Based on what is known about MLB, NBA, NHL, the farm affiliation just doesn't work that way with development teams. As to how it works with MLS-USL soccer affiliation like what we have with Sporting Kansas City--it's difficult to tell.

Sporting Kansas City is 4th in the Western Conference just 1 point behind L.A. Galaxy.

Standings | MLSsoccer.com

Let's hope they don't call a key player up to the SKC roster like Danni Konig, who has scored 14 of the Energy FC's 27 goals.

[bradh]

Won't happen, I believe. They can only call up the guys actually under contract with SKC, which I am not sure SKC is currently using any of the 3 (?) spots they can allocate players to in the Energy.

Correct me if I am horribly wrong, I am just going off memory and not double checking.

[AP]

You're right. They haven't assigned anyone here since I believe Christian Duke a couple weeks ago.

[bradh]

You're right. They haven't assigned anyone here since I believe Christian Duke a couple weeks ago.

Mikey Lopez was the only other one we've had this year I think. Last year it was Jimmy Medranda (sp?) and Kempin for half the season.

[AP]

Mikey Lopez was the only other one we've had this year I think. Last year it was Jimmy Medranda (sp?) and Kempin for half the season.

We had Lopez and Duke last year at different times as well. But yeah, they haven't utilized it nearly as much this year as they did last year. I read somewhere that they were thinking of doing what a lot of other teams have and start their own USL side.

[bradh]

Well that would suck

[AP]

I just wonder how long OKC fans will want to continue to support a minor league team? I think the supporters group was very excited to do it in the beginning with the thought that we'd eventually see an MLS team. How long to people continue to care about the Energy if they are just a mediocre minor league team? I can tell you, at this moment, I don't think I'll be renewing my season tickets next year. Especially considering they went up after a season where the team didn't make the playoffs.

I have seen zero evidence that Prodigal or OKC in general are actually trying to do anything to get MLS to take notice. It is very apparent that Sacramento is. Why aren't we doing similar things?

[bradh]

I just wonder how long OKC fans will want to continue to support a minor league team? I think the supporters group was very excited to do it in the beginning with the thought that we'd eventually see an MLS team. How long to people continue to care about the Energy if they are just a mediocre minor league team? I can tell you, at this moment, I don't think I'll be renewing my season tickets next year. Especially considering they went up after a season where the team didn't make the playoffs.

I have seen zero evidence that Prodigal or OKC in general are actually trying to do anything to get MLS to take notice. It is very apparent that Sacramento is. Why aren't we doing similar things?

I can tell you with 99% certainty the tickets are going down next year. A friend of ours who has had tickets both seasons (west side last year, east side this year) was told by their ticket rep that the seats are going down. Good, right now they're ridiculous.

[kwhey]

Lopez and Duke are still on the roster. Lopez hasn't played for ages and Duke, in my opinion, is just not a very good back. Too many mistakes and doesn't cross the ball very well.

[bradh]

Lopez and Duke are still on the roster. Lopez hasn't played for ages and Duke, in my opinion, is just not a very good back. Too many mistakes and doesn't cross the ball very well.

It was a curious move to put him on the backline I thought. It does say something though about the improved talent level of the roster, because last year before his injury I thought Duke was one of the better players on the team.

[C. B.]

Let's hope they don't call a key player up to the SKC roster like Danni Konig, who has scored 14 of the Energy FC's 27 goals.

It doesn't work that way. They cannot call up our players, they can only recall players they have sent down to us.

Christian Duke didn't make the SKC team this year and is under contract with the Energy. Last year he was under contract with SKC and was loaned to us. The only player SKC has loaned us this year is Mikey Lopez and he's up in KC rehabbing an injury. I wish they would send us down a few players who aren't getting on the field currently.

[bradh]

It doesn't work that way. They cannot call up our players, they can only recall players they have sent down to us.

Christian Duke didn't make the SKC team this year and is under contract with the Energy. Last year he was under contract with SKC and was loaned to us. The only player SKC has loaned us this year is Mikey Lopez and he's up in KC rehabbing an injury. I wish they would send us down a few players who aren't getting on the field currently.

Thanks, I knew he wasn't with us, just not sure why.

And yes, I'd gladly take a few guys. Erik Palmer-Brown would be nice.

[borchard]

I just wonder how long OKC fans will want to continue to support a minor league team? I think the supporters group was very excited to do it in the beginning with the thought that we'd eventually see an MLS team. How long to people continue to care about the Energy if they are just a mediocre minor league team? I can tell you, at this moment, I don't think I'll be renewing my season tickets next year. Especially considering they went up after a season where the team didn't make the playoffs.

I have seen zero evidence that Prodigal or OKC in general are actually trying to do anything to get MLS to take notice. It is very apparent that Sacramento is. Why aren't we doing similar things?

This is what I said from the beginning. If you want to support the energy, then do that. But DON'T do it because you think that they are a ladder to MLS. Do it because you enjoy THEM. And Prodigal, and every other Ass-Clown ownership group that continually dangles the "We're Going To MLS!" carrot in front of people should be buried up to their necks in an ant hill.