Sporting KC has partnered with USL PRO clubs Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC for the 2014 season. As part of the agreement, Sporting KC will loan players to the clubs to play games and gain experience throughout the year. Each week, we’ll recap the performances of the Sporting KC players on loan.
An 88th-minute strike from Sporting KC Academy alumnus David Leichty handed OKC Energy a precious 1-0 victory over Orange County Blues FC Saturday in Oklahoma City. Jimmy Nielsen's club jumped to sixth place in the USL PRO standings with seven regular season matches left.
Midfield starter Jimmy Medranda tied a team-high with two shots before exiting a deadlocked contest in the 62nd minute.
Energy FC prevented the Blues from registering a single shot on target and increased their pressure going forward in the late stages. Steven Perry nearly put OKC ahead after 83 minutes, only to be thwarted on the breakaway by goalkeeper Aaron Perez. Five minutes later, however, the hosts broke through. Orange County failed to clear a corner kick into the box from Abraham Villon, allowing Leichty, an 80th-minute substitute, to rifle home his first professional goal from just outside the penalty arc.
Having lost just once in 12 games, Energy FC (8-8-5, 29 points) are four points clear in the eight-team USL PRO playoff picture. Nielsen's men travel travel to third place Sacramento Republic FC (12-6-3, 39 points) this Saturday. OKC owns a pair of 2-0 home victories against Sacramento this season.
Following the win, Leichty and defender Max Gunderson were named to the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 20.
Off the field, meanwhile, USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC announced Monday that the club's new soccer-specific stadium will be built one block west of the original downtown location. The shift was made after the city dropped eminent domain proceedings against Faith Deliverance Chapel, the church whose property was part of the proposed footprint for the stadium. The basic design of the 19,500-seat venue will remain the same.
Orlando City will be a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in 2015. They will play at the Citrus Bowl during their first season before opening 2016 at the new stadium. Currently atop the USL PRO standings, Orlando City (15-1-4, 46 points) clinched a playoff spot with eight matches to spare after beating the Charlotte Eagles 4-1 on Saturday.
Jimmy Medranda (OKC Energy FC)
The 20-year-old midfielder played 62 minutes in his fourth appearance for Energy FC
2014 USL PRO Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Fouls</strong> |
4 |
239 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
Christian Duke (OKC Energy FC)
Duke did not play but has returned to training after six weeks out with a stress fracture.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Fouls</strong> |
9 |
608 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
