ENERGY IN MOTION
After a shortened 2020 resulted in just 1 win, OKC has reloaded for a new era in USL play
“With how last season went, it left a bad taste in my mouth and really the whole team’s mouth. We’re absolutely buzzin’, and we can’t wait to get going.”
Arun Basuljevic, Energy FC midfielder
The fast-approaching Energy FC season feels different than years past.
It’s not just because the club made the switch to the Eastern Conference, or because COVID-19 lengthened an already unusual off-season.
Head coach John Pascarella believes the team is undergoing a mental metamorphosis, one that’s attaching a new buzz to the season debut against FC Tulsa at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at Taft Stadium.
“It’s been pretty noticeable to people from the outside that have come in and watched training,” Pascarella said smiling after practice on Friday. “I certainly tried to recruit and bring in players that I felt would fit our culture and the way we want to do things.”
The Greens, entering their eighth season, now join Atlanta United 2, Birmingham Legion FC, Indy Eleven, Louisville City FC, Memphis 901 FC, FC Tulsa and Kansas City II to make up the Central Division. They will face each team four times in the regular season.
Oklahoma City won just one match in the shortened 2020 slate, suffering two draws and a loss to FC Tulsa in the Black Gold Derby. The Greens had dominated the rivalry up until 2020 and will look to bring back the Wrench this season, the trophy awarded to the annual winner of the series.
A combination of fresh faces and motivated returnees makes Energy FC an unknown entity in the conference, which has been dominated by established clubs such as Louisville City FC
and New York Red Bulls II for the better half of a decade.
The club had a busy offseason, bringing in 10 new additions to the team.
Some of the more significant signings include Aidan Daniels, formerly a midfielder for Canada’s U-23 team at the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying, Villyan Bijev, a crafty forward who played for Republic FC, as well as Conor Donovan and Robert Coronado, two standout defensive stalwarts who will aim to fix last season’s defensive woes.
“Being around some of the guys that have been here, it seems like there’s a new, fresh energy in the club and in the locker room,” team captain Conor Donovan said. “It’s been a long offseason and a good preseason, so to finally get to play games after a longer offseason than normal, it’s exciting.”
Shoring up the roster was necessary after the departures of veterans Cody Laurendi, Rafael Garcia and Atiba Harris.
Notable defensive returnees include Zach Ellis-Hayden and goalkeeper CJ Cochran. On offense, Jaime Chavez and Frank Lopez will look to get back on track after a tough season for Oklahoma City offensively last year.
With the string of shiny new signings and a slew of solid returnees, the Greens are looking to make a splash in the new conference, searching for their first playoff berth since 2017.
The club’s hopeful path to the playoffs starts with FC Tulsa. The Greens will debut their new Electric City kits, featuring vibrant pink and green style that is symbolic of a new era for Oklahoma City.
“It’s been a really long offseason,” midfielder Arun Basuljevic said. “With how last season went it left a bad taste in my mouth and really the whole team’s mouth. We’re absolutely buzzin’ and we can’t wait to get going.”