Empire Strykers
The Empire Strykers are an American professional indoor soccer team based in Ontario, California. Founded in 2013 as the Ontario Fury, the team made its debut in the Professional Arena Soccer League at the start of the 2013–14 season. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Arena under the leadership of general manager, head coach, Jimmy Nordberg.[1][2][3] As of May 2014, the league is known as the Major Arena Soccer League.[4] The team re-branded to its current name in 2022.
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Toyota Arena Ontario, California |
| Capacity | 9,736 |
| Managing Partner | Jeff Burum |
| General Manager/ Head Coach | Jimmy Nordberg |
| League | Major Arena Soccer League |
| 2022–23 | 6th, Western Division Playoffs: DNQ |
| Website | Club website |
History edit
In late May 2013, the owners of the now-dormant Anaheim Bolts announced that they would instead field a new PASL team at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.[5][6][7][8] The team held its first open tryouts on June 28–29.[9][10]
On July 25, team president Bernie Lilavois announced that "Ontario Fury" was chosen from over 500 fan-submitted entries in a name-the-team contest.[11][12] The name, logo, and team colors all reflect the passion of local soccer fans and the "powerful elements" of heat and wind that characterize the Inland Empire climate.[12][13][14]
On September 17, 2022 the team was rebranded “Empire Strykers”.[15]
Ontario Fury II edit
In 2017, the club started a developmental team known as Ontario Fury II that play in the new Major Arena Soccer League 2 (or M2, for short).
Year-by-year edit
| League champions | Runners-up | Division champions | Playoff berth |
| Year | League | Reg. season | GF | GA | Pct | Finish | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | PASL | 5–11 | 116 | 151 | .313 | 6th, Pacific | Did not qualify | 2,147 |
| 2014–15 | MASL | 13–7 | 169 | 145 | .650 | 2nd, Pacific | Lost Division Semi-Final | 2,503 |
| 2015–16 | MASL | 12–8 | 146 | 135 | .600 | 4th, Pacific | Did not qualify | 3,094 |
| 2016–17 | MASL | 12–8 | 148 | 132 | .600 | 2nd, Pacific | Lost Division Finals | 3,023 |
| 2017–18 | MASL | 10–12 | 155 | 142 | .455 | 3rd, Pacific | Did not qualify | 2,378 |
| 2018–19 | MASL | 11–13 | 147 | 117 | .458 | 3rd, Pacific | Did not qualify | 2,359 |
| 2019–20 | MASL | 12–9 | 137 | 115 | .571 | 3rd, Western | No playoffs | 2,106 |
| 2021 | MASL | 7–3 | 72 | 51 | .700 | 2nd, MASL | Lost Championship | 1* |
| 2021-22 | MASL | 9-15 | 132 | 141 | .375 | 3rd, West | Did not qualify | 1,108 |
* No fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fury began exhibition play on October 26 with a 16–8 win over Toros Mexico. They defeated the Dallas Sidekicks 6–5 in their first regular season game on November 10.[13][16][17] The team then suffered roster changes and struggled on the field.[2]
Playoffs edit
| Season | Record | GF | GA | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 0–1 | 5 | 6 | 4,072 |
| 2016–17 | 1–2 | 12 | 14 | 3,675 |
| 2021 | 5–3 | 45 | 43 | 1,000* |
* Fans only allowed in the Ron Newman Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the Fury hosted both games and the mini-game.
Personnel edit
Active players edit
As of March 9, 2023.[18]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Inactive players edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Staff edit
References edit
- ^ Fowler, Clay (October 25, 2013). "Ontario Fury hoping the game will catch on". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Ontario, CA: MediaNews Group. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ a b Escamilla, Micah (January 4, 2014). "Bernie Lilavois shows he still has the Fury to play pro soccer". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Ontario, CA: MediaNews Group. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ Brewster, Louis (March 7, 2015). "Bernie Lilavois has built Ontario Fury into an indoor soccer attraction". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Ontario, CA: MediaNews Group. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ "SOCCER: Fury welcomes back handful of veterans". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo. October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ Marroquin, Art (June 14, 2013). "Pro indoor soccer team bolts from Anaheim". The Orange County Register. Santa Ana, CA: Freedom Communications. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ "Pro soccer team will be playing at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ "PASL Announces Expansion Team in Inland Empire". Our Sports Central. May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ Brewster, Louis (May 29, 2013). . The San Bernardino Sun. San Bernardino, CA: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ Marshall, Pete (June 30, 2013). "SOCCER: Aspiring players try out for Ontario indoor team". The San Bernardino Sun. San Bernardino, CA: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ Pope, Dennis (July 13, 2013). "SOCCER: Reporter Dennis Pope tries out for Ontario Pro team". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ^ Zink, David (July 25, 2013). "SOCCER: Ontario names indoor franchise the "Fury"". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b Brewster, Louis (July 25, 2013). "Fury chosen as new Ontario soccer team's name". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Ontario, CA: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ a b "Ontario Fury Announcement". Our Sports Central. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ Powell, Nancy (November 14, 2013). . Inland Empire Weekly. Corona, CA. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ WE ARE THE EMPIRE STRYKERS 🏴 #WeAreEmpire #BewareTheEmpire #AnEmpireStrykingBack | By Ontario Fury | Facebook, retrieved 2022-09-18
- ^ Alexander, Jim (October 24, 2013). "Getting the Ontario Fury off the ground". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ Segal, Shel (November 1, 2013). "Great debut for Ontario Fury pro soccer team in 16-8 win". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ "Ontario Fury roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
External links edit
- Empire Strykers official website
- Major Arena Soccer League official website