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. 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.
History On November 10, 2015, the NASL announced that a new club called Rayo OKC would begin to play in the 2016 season. The new team was majority-owned by Raúl Martín Presa, the owner of Rayo Vallecano of the Spanish Segunda División, 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. Marcina resigned on August 1, being replaced by Gerard Nus.
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.
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. 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 Season NASL Overall NASL Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Top goalscorer Head coaches Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League2016Spring8th103341112124thSemifinalsThird Round Michel14 Alen Marcina Gerard NusFall4th22985282135
Individual records
Top goalscorers
NameYearsNASLNASL PlayoffU.S. Open CupTotal1 Michel20162 Robbie Findley20162 Billy Forbes20162 Mamadou Danso20165 Georgios Samaras20165 Sebastien Ibeagha20165 Sebastián Velásquez20168 Ryan Johnson20168 Tyler Gibson20168 Ian Svantesson20168 Devon Sandoval20168 Marvin Chávez20168 Pecka20168 Moises Hernandez2016
Most appearances
NameYearsLeaguePlayoffsUS Open CupTotal1 Kosuke Kimura2016 2 Mamadou Danso2016 3 Richard Menjivar2016 3 Daniel Fernandes2016 5 Billy Forbes2016 6 Derek Boateng2016 6 Michel2016 8 Moises Hernandez2016 9 Georgios Samaras2016 10 Robbie Findley2016
Managerial record Information correct as of match played November 5, 2016. Only competitive matches are counted. NameNat.FromToPWDLGSGA%WHonoursNotesAlen MarcinaJanuary 7, 2016August 1, 2016Gerard NusAugust 1, 2016 November 7, 2016
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References