The Black Gold Derby is an American soccer rivalry between the two USL Championship (USLC) clubs based in Oklahoma: OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa. The winner of the regular season series is awarded a four-foot wrench.[2]
History
The Oklahoma City Energy formed in late 2013, and FC Tulsa, previously known as "Tulsa Roughnecks FC", formed in mid-2014. Both clubs began their series ahead of the 2015 USL season.[3]
The Energy's formation came through local businessman, Bob Funk, Jr., who pursued a bid for a club in the USLC (then known as the United Soccer League) in early 2013. Funk was awarded a franchise on July 2, 2013 with an intended launch date in 2014. Ahead of the 2014 season the Energy FC announced an affiliation agreement with Major League Soccer side, Sporting Kansas City. Former Kansas City goalkeeper, Jimmy Nielsen, was named head coach.[4][5]
In March 2014, OKC Pro Soccer owner and founder of Oklahoma City's Fields & Futures program Tim McLaughlin joined the club as an ownership partner, bringing a secured lease to Taft Stadium, where Energy FC began play in 2015. The club's 2014 home schedule was played at Pribil Stadium on the campus of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.[6]
The origins of FC Tulsa date back to 1978, when the original Tulsa Roughnecks formed. The original Roughnecks formed as a relocation of Team Hawaii ahead of the 1978 North American Soccer League season. The original Roughnecks won Soccer Bowl '83 against the Toronto Blizzard.[7] The second iteration of the Roughnecks came in 1993, which joined the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), the body that evolved into the operator of today's USLC, the United Soccer League. The best season results for this version of the Roughnecks came in 1993 and 1994 where they reached the divisional finals in the playoffs. The club folded following the 1999–2000 USISL I-League season.[8]
The series is temporarily on hold as OKC Energy FC has announced a hiatus during the 2022 USL Championship season, planning to return to play by 2027 when their new stadium is completed.[9][10][11][12]
Format
The trophy is awarded based on points earned for wins (3 points each) and draws (1 point each) during the USL Championship regular season and U.S. Open Cup fixtures, should the teams meet during the tournament. In case of a tie in both points and goal differential, the team with the higher number of away goals scored will be the winner. Finally, in case of a tie on points, goal differential, and away goals, the trophy will be given to the team with the highest final placement in the USLC rankings.
^King, Lauren (September 10, 2024). "New stadium and Energy FC revitalization to boost OKC's entertainment scene". velocityokc.com. Oklahoma City, OK. Retrieved November 1, 2024. Energy FC, a part of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, paused play in recent years due to franchise stadium requirements. Although on hiatus, the club has retained its franchise agreement and can return to play once the new multipurpose stadium is completed in 2027.
^Reichard, Kevin (January 3, 2024). "OKC pitches higher budget, new location for new Energy FC stadium". soccerstadiumdigest.com. Retrieved November 1, 2024. The venue, planned for a 2027 opening, will be the city's only stadium with a USSF-approved pitch to accommodate professional men's and women's soccer.
