During the MLS Cup tour at Skinny Slims, Coach Nielsen told me they had signed 9 players so far, but couldn't publicly announce them yet.
I know a couple of the guys they signed and found out by accident. Good team so far. Nothing that will win a championship but solid young guys.
I hope they don't rely `to heavily on the loanees. I don't understand how it's gonna work in relation to the U.S. open cup
Well they won't play against SKC if that happens again, its rather unique that it did last year for Orlando and SKC. But as for loanees, remember that Kempin was in Orlando last year for SKC and will probably be looking to be loaned again, with 2 options. Neilsen has been theoretically coaching Kempin this whole time, so it might be more natural than a loanee might make the situation. As long as OKC is SKC's affiliate, get used to loanees taking valuable roster spots. SKC is very supportive of OKC and will want their players to play.
One of the signees is a keeper. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Kempin gets sent down from SKC. Also, OKC will at most get two guys sent from SKC (my guess being Gebeljic and Kempin). Sporting will be spread pretty thin this year.
Oh yeah. That's why I think they'll send Kempin down to OKC where 1) He will almost have a 100% chance of starting (compared to Orlando with Gallardo) 2) He'll work with someone Vermes trusts in Nielsen. However, Gruenenbaum (groin) and Kronberg (back) both have had injury problems so Kempin may get called back for emergencies.
According to the Energy Facebook page, they will be announcing their first official signing on Wednesday. So is this for show? Because if ac117 already knows a few of the signed players, why make a big deal with this "first officially signed player"?
I agree with those thinking Kempin will go to OKC. He's obviously the 3rd option in KC and they don't mind sending him out on loan (history from last year says that). I think he'd be a great option for OKC as well. Another name I'd watch for is Scott Angevine. He has trialed with SKC and possibly been a MLS league keeper and placed in SKC as a non contract player. Last year he played for Des Moines Menace and was at the recently completed USL Combine. Only saying that as a previous relationship with Nielson during his time as a trialist at SKC. Another name could be Jacole Turner who is a guest trailist at SKC pre season workouts right now. Obviously he wouldn't likely be one fo the current signings. He's a former SKC academy player who spent a year in Spain last year with Atletico Madrid. He's young and would very much be a developmental keeper to put on your roster behind someone like Angevine or even Kempin. Neilson spent a lot of time with the Academy keepers during his time with Sporting and if he sees something he can develop in Turner and SKC doesn't have a roster spot for him ... I could see a fit. Not predicting anything, just giving some names to potentially watch for at the GK position.
To get the press to cover it. And to get people like us talking about it. Plus, I don't believe ac117 shared any names.
An Oklahoma player (if not from the OKC area). Good first move: perhaps a find or two at the open tryout will also land on the team.
SKC just released GK Jacole Turner, midfielders Pablo Punyed and Dante Marini and forwards Don Anding and Reinaldo Brenes yesterday. Over/Under on the number of them that end up in Oklahoma City? I'd say 2.5 and I'll take the over with Turner, Punyed and Brenes as likely candidates. Turner worked with Neilson while he was in Sporting Academy so I could see him being a GK #2 option with BIG upside. Punyed, Marini and Brenes were drafted by SKC (this year or last) and Anding is a fromer Union/Harrisburg Islanders player ... so I think he's least likely to be lead to OKC from SKC. Really like the Thomas signing though ... great work rate and makes few mistakes. Not a lot of "wow" in his game, but very solid ... probably an armband candidate.
I say 3. The goalie, one mid and an attacker. Talked to Hawkins, the GM, recently and he said they want to build the spine of the team first then add complimentary guys.
OKC signed SKC academy midfielder David Leichty. http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2014/02/sporting-kc-academy’s-david-leichty-signs-professional-contract-okc-energy-fc