James Ritchie Named OKC Energy FC Assistant Coach
April 10, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - OKC Energy FC has hired James Ritchie as an assistant coach, General Manager Jason Hawkins announced today. Ritchie comes to Oklahoma City following three years as the head coach of the USL PDL'S Kitsap Pumas, based in Bremerton, Wash.
Ritchie, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, was also the Pumas indoor head coach, director of coaching for its youth academy and youth summer camp director. He was an assistant for three seasons prior to being elevated to head coach. In his role as an assistant, he was also the goalkeeper coach.
The Pumas earned the Ruffneck Cup (Washington Cup) during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The team won the 2011 PDL championship and won the regional championship that same year. Kitsap won the 2009 and 2011 PDL division titles and participated in the U.S. Open Cup from 2009-12.
Ritchie was the head coach at Olympic College from 2010-12. He was named the 2011 division coach of the year and the team made in regional finals that same season.
Ritchie also has experience with several other teams across the United States in Washington and Massachusetts, as well as his native Scotland.
Ritchie holds his NSCAA premier diploma, advanced national diploma and national diploma in the United States. He is a Scottish Football Association Youth Level 3 coach, SFA Children Level 3 coach, SFA Goalkeeper Level 2 coach and holds his SFA club coaching certificate.
Season tickets for OKC Energy FC are available by calling the Energy FC office at 405-235-KICK (5425).
Energy FC is led by former Sporting Kansas City goaltender and 2013 MLS Cup champion, Jimmy Nielsen. Nielsen was a two-time MLS All Star, the 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and goalkeeper for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open championship club.
USL PRO is the strongest, best operated and most experienced North American men's professional soccer league outside of Major League Soccer (MLS). Focused on franchise stability and longevity, USL PRO features 15 teams for the 2014 season, including expansion teams in Oklahoma City and Sacramento. Presently 10 USL PRO teams have direct affiliations with Major League Soccer clubs.
The league not only serves as a springboard to the MLS for players, but also for franchises. Five of the last six clubs to enter MLS have moved up from the USL's top professional division. Among the most successful clubs, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC all operated franchises in the USL's top professional division before making the transition to MLS.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 10, 2014
- Rhinos Visit Dayton on Friday April 11th - Rochester Rhinos
- Energy FC Travels to Peoria to Face Arizona United SC - OKC Energy FC
- Match Preview: Orlando City to Play Charleston Battery at Home on Saturday - Orlando City SC
- Rhinos Visit Dayton on Friday Night - Rochester Rhinos
- James Ritchie Named OKC Energy FC Assistant Coach - OKC Energy FC
- Home Opener against Rochester Rhinos - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Orlando City to Face AS Roma in International Friendly - Orlando City SC
- Eagles Add Player on Loan from Chicago Fire - Charlotte Eagles
- Eagles Look to Get Back on Track against Kickers - Charlotte Eagles
- Kickers Travel to Charlotte Saturday - Richmond Kickers
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