Open Combine Attendee, USL League Two Veteran Signs with Greens
February 10, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
OKC Energy FC News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - Energy FC has signed defender Mueng Sunday, pending league and federation approval, Head Coach John Pascarella announced today.
Sunday attended the 2020 Open Combine and was then invited to train with the team throughout the season. Sunday previously spent six seasons with Des Moines Menace of USL League Two, winning three regular season championships and five Heartland Division championships.
"Mueng played for me in Des Moines, so we know each other well," said Pascarella. "I know his game, his strong suits and how he takes care of himself professionally off the field. He fits into our culture, he fits well into our locker room, and he fits a skillset and a need by being able to play in central midfield or as a full back.
"We were unable to sign him last year with certain restrictions caused by Covid, but he trained with us all season, and we were finally able to add him this offseason. His drive and determination to come out every single day last season without any guarantees of signing a contract exemplifies the type of person he is. He's a resilient kid and a hard worker with a strong mentality, and that's why he's here."
Born in Mangu, Nigeria, the 26-year-old moved to Iowa in 2001 at the age of six. After a youth and high school soccer career in Iowa City that included multiple state championships and Gatorade Player of the Year honors, Sunday attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and made 72 appearances. While at Drake, he was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team four times, named to the NSCAA All-West Region Team twice, and led the team to the MVC championship in 2015.
Sunday joins goalkeepers CJ Cochran and Kyle Ihn, defenders Robert Coronado, Conor Donovan, Zach Ellis-Hayden, Atiba Harris and Mitch Osmond, midfielders Arun Basuljevic, Brad Dunwell, Kodai Iida, Hiroki Kurimoto, Seth Moses and Charlie Ward, and forwards Jon Brown, Jaime Chavez, Aidan Daniels, Frank Lopez, Groutchov Pierre and Tucker Stephenson as the players currently under contract for OKC in 2021.
Energy FC begins its eighth season in 2021 with a schedule announcement forthcoming. More information regarding Season Seat Memberships and Group Experiences can be found at energyfc.com/tickets.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 10, 2021
- RGV FC President Ron Patel to Speak at Texas Soccer Summit - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Insiders Look into the 2021 Boys in Old Glory Red: Defenders - Sacramento Republic FC
- Support Local this Valentine's Day, Presented by Suncrest Bank - Sacramento Republic FC
- Austin Bold FC Resigns Jermaine Taylor for 2021 USL Championship Season - Austin Bold FC
- Hugh Roberts Returning to Charlotte in 2021 - Charlotte Independence
- Republic FC Launches Artist Spotlight to Create Opportunities for Sacramento's Diverse Arts Community - Sacramento Republic FC
- Impress the Coaches During the SRFC Open Tryout - Sacramento Republic FC
- Indy Eleven Signs Midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko - Indy Eleven
- Orange County SC Sign Tommy McCabe from FC Cincinnati - Orange County SC
- Open Combine Attendee, USL League Two Veteran Signs with Greens - OKC Energy FC
- Defender Andrew Fox Re-Signs for Third Year with El Paso Locomotive FC - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Ariel Martinez Relishing Return to Miami FC - Miami FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.