Photo credit: Rayo OKC
Rayo OKC has played the first two matches in club history and while the club has yet to win, there have been numerous positive signs.
The fans have turned out to watch at Miller Stadium in Yukon, Okla., an experienced squad assembled by the club's coach, Alen Marcina. So far it has yielded one draw, while this past weekend’s match was moments away from a second consecutive draw until Carolina’s Austin da Luz stunned the home team with a last-gasp header for the 3-2 win.
One of Rayo OKC’s veterans is United States international Robbie Findley, who is one of five of the team’s players (the others are Derek Boateng, Georgios Samaras, Marvin Chávez, and Daniel Fernandes) who have been on World Cup rosters. Findley knows the squad is strong, but it will ultimately come down to results.
“The names on paper looks great, but at the end of the day we have to produce on the field, that’s the main goal,” Findley told NASL.com. “We have some great players and big names, but we’re focusing on getting better on the field and back that up -- win games and be successful.”
Findley joined the club after positive conversations with Marcina and is enjoying the chance to play more centrally as opposed to the wider areas on the field, which he occupied with Toronto FC of the MLS.
“Last year I was playing wider,” he said. “It was good to experience that, but it’s good I’m back up top and facing the goal a lot more. I’m looking forward to getting on the scoresheet more often and to cause problems for defenders in this league.”
Findley’s experience playing in the U.S. and in England makes him one of the club’s many attacking players who will cause defenders problems this season.
“If I’m not scoring I know there are other guys that can step up and do so,” he said. “There’s talent all over.”
The veteran has started both of Rayo OKC’s matches this season. His experience, as well as the other veteran players like Samaras, Boateng, and others, will be key to a strong start for the NASL expansion side.
“It’s very important, especially for a first-year team coming into any league,” Findley said. “You need some veteran guys, some experience that have played in different parts of the country and the world to lay the ground rules with some of the youngsters and build the mentality that Alen wants us to have.”