U23 ADD 11 OKLAHOMANS TO THE 2018 ROSTER

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Energy FC U23s added 11 players to their 2018 roster today. The 11 players are all from Oklahoma and represent some of the most talented college-aged players that call the Sooner State home. The players include Garrett McLaughlin, Daryl Dike, Josh Berney, Munashe Raranje, Cooper Clark, Dante Brigida, Butch Hampton, Omar Urquiza, Tyler Lacourse, Colton Haskin and Brandon Brus. The list of players includes each of the last three Gatorade Boys Soccer Players of the Year from Oklahoma. The transactions are pending league and federation approval.
McLaughlin has played the last two seasons at SMU. During the 2017 campaign, he led the Mustangs in goals with 14, which was also good for a tie for 9th in goals scored in NCAA Men’s Division 1 soccer. The 2016 campaign saw McLaughlin score four goals, add three assists and earn All American Conference Rookie of the Year honors. He’s appeared in 37 matches, scored 18 goals and added six assists. During his high school career at Heritage Hall, he was named the 2015 and 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year. McLaughlin also participated in the ODP Region 3 team and was recognized as a Top Drawer Soccer All American.
Dike is slated to graduate from Edmond North High School in May and plans to attend the University of Virginia in the fall. A member of the OEFC ’98 team, Dike is among the state’s all time leaders in goals scored and was named The Oklahoman’s 2017 All City boys soccer player of the year. A member of an exceptionally talented soccer family, Dike’s older brother Bright played professionally for Portland Timbers, while his sister Courtney played at Oklahoma State University. Both Bright and Courtney have represented Nigeria in international competition.
Berney graduated from McGuinness High School in 2016 where he earned All-State honors as a senior. He also earned All-District and All-Conference honors in 2015. A member of the ’99 OEFC Central team, Berney has been part of five state championships, was Region 3 semifinalist in 2014 and 2015 and part of the Disney Showcase championship squad in 2016. He was part of the SMU squad that was the first team to win the All American Conference regular season and tournament crowns.
Raranje, a senior-to-be at the University of Tulsa is a graduate of Jenks High School. The midfielder has appeared in 46 matches for the Golden Hurricane, scored three goals and added three assists. Prior to joining Univ. of Tulsa, Raranje played for the OFC ’97 squad and was named the Tulsa World Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2015. Additional accolades include being named to Top Drawer Soccer AllAmerica, All-Region and All-State teams in 2015.
Clark, a sophomore-to-be at the University of Tulsa appeared in six matches in 2017, posted a 3-2-1 mark and posted two shutouts. A member of the OEFC ’99 team, Clark helped that squad win the 2016 Disney Showcase in 2016, four state championships and 2015 Premier League Championship. He also was an ODP Regional Player and attended the Region II event in Argentina in 2016. Also earned The Oklahoman Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
Brigida recently completed his first season of play with Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. The Edmond Santa Fe graduate played with the OEFC ’99 squad that won several state championships and the Disney Showcase in 2016. He was among the top scorers for OEFC Central. During his senior season at Edmond Santa Fe, he scored 25 goals, added seven assists and was named the Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year for 2017.
Hampton is a sophomore-to-be at USAO in Chickasha. Last season with the Drovers, he played in 18 matches, scored three goals and added four assists. For his efforts, Hampton earned a spot on the Sooner Athletic Conference First Team and was named Freshman of the Year. Butch is the son of USAO Head Coach Jimmy Hampton
Urquiza, a sophomore at Oral Roberts University played his high school soccer at Tulsa Union where he was named Offensive Most Valuable Player his senior season. He was a member of the 2016 District Championship squad and was a state runner up.
LaCourse started 12 of 16 matches as a freshman in 2016 and was named to the Summit League AllNewcomer Team. He was named to the Tulsa World All-Metro team in 2015.
Originally from Yukon, Brus played the last two seasons at Oral Roberts. Was a standout in high school athletics and earned multiple letters during his high school career.
Haskin attended Mustang High School before playing for Oral Roberts University. During his four years at Oral Roberts, Haskin appeared in 60 matches, scored two goals and added four assists.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with these promising local players. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build on the excellent development work done by their local Oklahoma club and college coaches,” said U23s Head Coach / Energy FC Assistant Coach Jon Pearlman. “I believe these players will be an integral part of the Energy FC PDL program this summer with an eye on a potential first-team opportunity in the future.”
The Energy FC’s U23s play in the Premier Development League (PDL), a proven development leader in North American soccer. Since 2010 more than 70 percent of all MLS draft selections have PDL experience. In the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, three players with experience with the Energy FC U23s were selected in the 1st round.
Regular season game action for the Energy FC U23s begins Sunday, May 20 at home against Texas United. The U23s begin play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 9 against an opponent to be determined.