Soccer club
Rayo OKC
, also known as
Rayo Oklahoma City
, was an American professional
soccer
team based in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. They joined the
North American Soccer League
(NASL) ? the second tier of the
American soccer pyramid
? beginning with the
2016 season
. They played home games at
Yukon High School
's Miller Stadium in
Yukon, Oklahoma
.
[3]
The club permanently ceased operations following the 2016 season, citing huge financial losses, management issues and heavy competition from the nearby
Oklahoma City Energy FC
of the
USL
as the main reasons.
[4]
History
[
edit
]
On November 10, 2015, the NASL announced that a new club called Rayo OKC would begin to play in the 2016 season.
[5]
The new team was majority-owned by Raul Martin Presa, the owner of
Rayo Vallecano
of the Spanish
Segunda Division
, with a minority stake owned by Oklahoma native Sean Jones, former owner of the Oklahoma City FC franchise. Rayo OKC was also co-founded and managed by "Sold Out Strategies," a sports management company headed by former
Oklahoma City Blazers
general manager Brad Lund. Former
San Antonio Scorpions
head coach
Alen Marcina
was named Rayo head coach on January 7, 2016.
[6]
Marcina resigned on August 1, being replaced by
Gerard Nus
.
[7]
In August 2016, it was announced that co-founding partner and management Sold Out Strategies had pulled out of Rayo OKC'S day-to-day front office business operations. In September, it was reported that minority owner Sean Jones had part of the temporary artificial soccer field removed during the night and held at an undisclosed location to protect his investment pending a resolution. After a week and a half of negotiations, it was reported that Rayo OKC management and Sean Jones had reached a mutual agreement and the missing portions of the artificial playing turf were returned in time for the team's next home game.
On November 7, 2016, following the conclusion of the 2016 NASL Playoffs, head coach Gerard Nus stepped down and returned to Spain to continue his role as assistant technical director for Rayo OKC'S parent club, Rayo Vallecano.
[8]
On December 1, 2016, it reported that Rayo OKC had released all of their players and did not have its majority owners or anyone from the Rayo OKC management representing them at the NASL's board of directors meeting in
Atlanta
.
[9]
In January 2017, it was confirmed by the NASL that Rayo OKC would not be participating in the 2017 season, eventually resulting in the dissolving of the franchise.
League and cup history
[
edit
]
Individual records
[
edit
]
Top goalscorers
[
edit
]
- As of match played November 5, 2016
Most appearances
[
edit
]
- As of Match played 5 November 2016
Managerial record
[
edit
]
Information correct as of match played November 5, 2016. Only competitive matches are counted.
P
? Total of played matches
W
? Won matches
D
? Drawn matches
L
? Lost matches
GS
? Goal scored
GA
? Goals against
%W
? Percentage of matches won
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding
FIFA country code(s)
.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Verenigde Staten - Rayo OKC - Resultaten, programma's, selectie, foto's, videos en nieuws - Soccerway"
.
Archived
from the original on September 8, 2023
. Retrieved
February 21,
2018
.
- ^
"RAYO OKC CO-OWNER SEAN JONES' PASSION FOR SOCCER DRIVES SUCCESS"
. RayoOKC.com.
Archived
from the original on January 28, 2016
. Retrieved
January 29,
2016
.
- ^
Brannick, Chris (November 10, 2015).
"NASL to officially announce Oklahoma City franchise"
.
The Oklahoman
.
Archived
from the original on November 13, 2015
. Retrieved
November 10,
2015
.
- ^
Poling, James.
"NASL to open 2017 season with eight clubs"
.
- ^
"NASL ANNOUNCES NEW CLUB IN OKLAHOMA CITY"
. NASL. November 10, 2015.
Archived
from the original on November 14, 2015
. Retrieved
November 14,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
"RAYO OKC NAMES ALEN MARCINA HEAD COACH"
. Rayo OKC. January 7, 2016.
Archived
from the original on February 1, 2016
. Retrieved
January 16,
2016
.
- ^
a
b
c
"ALEN MARCINA STEPS DOWN, GERARD NUS NAMED RAYO OKC HEAD COACH"
.
rayookc.com
. Rayo OKC. August 1, 2016.
Archived
from the original on August 8, 2016
. Retrieved
August 5,
2016
.
- ^
a
b
"Nus steps down as Head Coach"
.
The Oklahoman
. November 7, 2016.
- ^
"Rayo OKC not represented at NASL meetings; Players released from contracts"
.
The Oklahoman
. November 30, 2016.
External links
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]
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Abandoned expansion teams
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Soccer Bowls
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Records and statistics
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