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.
The first week of June was a busy one for USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC. As Jimmy Nielsen’s team was preparing for two road games in as many nights, one loanee was recalled to Sporting Kansas City and another was added to the Energy FC roster.
Midfielder Christian Duke rejoined Sporting KC on Wednesday after two and a half months in Oklahoma City. The 23-year-old earned eight USL PRO appearances with two assists and had started six straight matches in all competitions. Duke was on the substitutes bench in Sporting KC’s 2-0 win at the Houston Dynamo on Friday night.
The same day, midfielder Mikey Lopez transitioned from from Orlando City SC to Energy FC, joining goalkeeper Jon Kempin. Lopez made nine appearances for Orlando City, which remains undefeated (10-0-3, 33 points) and first in the USL PRO standings.
The switch came in time for Lopez to see action in both matches of his new club's weekend doubleheader. Once losers of six straight games, Energy FC (3-7-2) is now unbeaten in three after tying the Wilmington Hammerheads Friday night and the Charlotte Eagles a day later.
Lopez made his Energy FC debut in the 84th minute of a 2-2 draw vs. Wilmington (5-1-3, 18 points), replacing former Sporting KC midfielder Michael Thomas. The visitors came from behind twice in the second half to level the score and Kempin tied his season-high with five saves.
Kempin's performance between the posts landed him on the USL Pro Team of the Week for Week 12, the league announced Tuesday.
Less than 24 hours later, Lopez made his first start and played the full 90 minutes in Energy FC’s 1-1 stalemate against Charlotte (3-7-1, 10 points). OKC grabbed a lead shortly before the break, but the hosts equalized three minutes into the second half.
With the pair of results, Energy FC jumps from 11th to ninth in the USL PRO standings. Nielsen’s squad may be gaining momentum at the right time, as they begin a six-game home stand this Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC (6-3-2).
Mikey Lopez (OKC Energy FC)
The midfielder transitioned from Orlando City SC to OKC Energy FC and played two games in as many nights for his new club.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<strong>Games Played</strong> |
<strong>Minutes Played</strong> |
<strong>Goals</strong> |
<strong>Assists</strong> |
<strong>Shots</strong> |
<strong>Fouls</strong> |
11 |
265 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
Jon Kempin (OKC Energy FC)
The homegrown goalkeeper earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors, tying his season-high with five saves in a 2-2 draw Friday night at Wilmington.
2014 USL PRO Stats
<strong>Matches Played</strong> |
<strong>Record</strong> |
<strong>Goals Against Average</strong> |
<strong>Shutouts</strong> |
<strong>Saves</strong> |
10 |
2-7-1 |
1.8 |
2 |
33 |
