Energy FC update: Preseason schedule, new conference alignment, more

OKC Energy FC will take the pitch this weekend in preseason action vs. Major League Soccer expansion club Austin FC Friday, March 19 at St. Edward's University in Austin at 11 a.m. The team will then travel north to take on FC Dallas of the MLS Saturday, March 20 in Frisco, with a kickoff time of 2 p.m.

Other preseason action includes April 10's showdown vs. ULS League One (third division) opponent North Texas Soccer Club at Mid-America Christian University, fellow USL Championship side Austin Bold FC on April 15th at the Energy's OCCHD Training Facility, and April 17's match vs. the University of Science and Arts at Taft Stadium. (Editor's note: the Energy released a full preseason schedule March 18 with kickoff times. You can get more info on that here.)

The Energy look to make it back to the playoffs after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, which saw the team play less than half of its usual amount of games in front of restricted crowds. Energy FC Head Coach John Pascarella remarked on how he was looking forward to a new year with more fans and the greater levels of excitement they bring.

Related: Energy FC releases full 2021 preseason schedule

"Anybody that knows me knows I'm passionate about the game, and when you're passionate about something but you're doing in front of no one and for no one, it's not nearly as much fun. So when you're doing it for your family, you're doing it for your friends, you're doing it for your supporters, you're doing for your city -- that is a heck of a lot more fun, and it's more engaging, and you get the competitive juices flowing.  I think we're going to get good crowds this year. I think there still will be some people who are hesitant and conservative about it and that's normal... But I think you're going to see more people at Taft this year, and with our team being improved, I think you're going to see more people come back for second and third games."

Energy FC have also made a few player announcements recently as they fill out the roster, including goalkeeper and Washington, D.C. native Sam Howard, midfielder Hiroki Kurimoto and winger Aidan Daniels, who was recently selected to Canada's National Team for the Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifiers, which will be held March 18-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Kurimoto and Daniels come to OKC from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, where Kurimoto was team captain, playing every minute of the 2020 USL Championship season, and Daniels started all 16 games. 

“Once I realized coming to Oklahoma City was an opportunity, I jumped at it as quick as I could,” said Howard. “I view Oklahoma City Energy as one of the premier clubs in the USL. It’s definitely a standard bearer in the league, and hopefully we can bring success back with this strong core that’s coming together.”

“Hiroki is a guy that we tried to get last year, but we got beat to the punch by Colorado Springs,” said Pascarella. “I liked him when he was in Fresno, and our Assistant Coach Leigh Veidman knows him and the strengths in his game, having coached him in 2019.

“Hiroki also brings a big locker room presence. Although his second language is English, he has such a commanding presence that people tend to follow his lead. He captained Colorado Springs last season, in his first year, and that takes some doing.

“With Aidan Daniels, we liked him at the start of last year and enjoyed watching him against us at our opener. He’s really good between the lines, has good pace, takes people on, runs in behind, his game is varied. Ideally, I can see him playing centrally and out wide, but I think his best spot is out wide where he can drift inside and play in those half spaces,” said Pascarella.

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Go east, young men: Energy FC moves to USL Championship Eastern Conference

For the first time in club history, Energy FC will move to the Eastern Conference after the USL Championship recently unveiled its new 31-team, 32-game, two-conference alignment.  The schedule will be played over 27 weeks, with the Energy joining Atlanta United 2, Birmingham Legion FC, FC Tulsa, Indy Eleven, Louisville City FC, Memphis 901 FC and Sporting Kansas City II in the Central Division. Each team plays its division opponents four times (two home, two away). The Energy will also play four matches against regional or cross-conference foes. 

"Its a different challenge because the two conferences play a little bit differently," said Pascarella.  "The west is a little more wide open; the east is a little more... methodical, for sure. I think people in the west would say 'its less creative,' I think people in the east would say 'it's better, more organized, disciplined soccer.' It [comes down to] what you like in the game, and it's played in different ways. We'll have to adjust to that."

2021 USL Championship Conference Alignment

Energy FC teaming up with OKC PAL and YMCA to expand youth soccer landscape for OKC Public Schools

After a one-year delay, Energy FC and the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League are bringing their youth soccer league back to 5th and 6th grade students of Oklahoma City Public Schools, while the YMCA’s Energy Soccer League will be offered to 3rd and 4th grade students. The league begins March 27 and involves six weeks of competition and 13 middle schools and 12 elementary schools, culminating in the girls and boys championship games at Taft Stadium in May.

Since 2017, Energy FC and PAL have worked together to provide free, organized youth soccer to OKCPS students with each school also receiving unique Energy FC-branded jerseys. Cleats for Kids will also be assisting with equipment needs.

“Our partnership with Energy FC is instrumental in the delivery of our sports programs,” said Brittany Ward, OKCPAL Athletic Director. “Our combined efforts allow PAL to reach and provide a top-tier knowledge base to more volunteer coaches and ultimately more student-athletes. We are happy to be in this together!”

Learn more about the league here.