OKC Energy FC
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| Full name | Oklahoma City Energy Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 2, 2013 |
| Stadium |
Taft Stadium Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Owner | Prodigal LLC |
| President | Bob Funk, Jr. |
| Head Coach | Jimmy Nielsen |
| League | USL |
| 2016 | 7th, Western Conference Playoffs: Conference Semifinals |
| Website | Club home page |
OKC Energy FC is an American professional men's soccer club based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Prodigal LLC was awarded the franchise on July 2, 2013. They played their inaugural season in the United Soccer League in 2014.
Prodigal LLC, led by Oklahoma City businessman Bob Funk, Jr., pursued a bid for a franchise in the United Soccer League's Professional Division (USL Pro) in early 2013. Prodigal was awarded the USL Pro franchise on July 2, 2013, with an intended launch date of 2014.
On December 20, 2013, Energy FC announced an affiliation agreement with 2013 MLS Champions Sporting Kansas City. Also, recently retired SKC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was named head coach.
On March 25, 2014, OKC Pro Soccer owner and founder of Oklahoma City's Fields & Futures program Tim McLaughlin joined the club as an ownership partner, bringing a secured lease to Taft Stadium, where Energy FC began play in 2015. The club's 2014 home schedule was played at Pribil Stadium on the campus of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.
Prodigal LLC formerly operated the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League and formerly owned the Oklahoma City Dodgers (formerly Redhawks) Pacific Coast League baseball team and the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.
The Energy won their first game in a pre-season contest against University of Nebraska-Omaha 1-0 on March 8, 2014. They went 5-0-1 in preseason games against local colleges. They won their USL Pro debut 2-0 against Orange County Blues FC on April 5 in Irvine, California. Orlando City SC defeated the Energy 2-1 in their first home match on April 26. After winning two of their first three league matches, the Energy went on a six-game losing streak. Then they went undefeated in their next 8 games (4-0-4), including four consecutive shutouts. A second six-game losing streak ended their playoff hopes and the Energy finished in 10th place, five points behind Harrisburg for the last playoff spot. Defender Gareth Evans was named to the All-League Second Team.
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