By Energy FC Communications,

OKLAHOMA CITY – Energy FC has signed midfielder Ray Saari, pending league and federation approval, Head Coach John Pascarella announced today. Saari, a graduate of the University of Tulsa, spent the 2019 season with Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship.

“He’ll be a good player for us,” said Pascarella. “He’s good on the ball, and now he just has to get a little fitter for the outdoor game. He’s just a great connector, and he’s going to help us keep possession.”

Saari, a 24-year-old native of Kansas City, Mo., made 19 appearances for Sacramento in 2019 after making 39 appearances for the USL Championship’s Tacoma Defiance from 2017-2018, recording four goals and six assists. He also spent time with Tulsa Athletic of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances.

During his time at UT, Saari made 69 appearances and tallied 12 goals and 12 assists, earning American Athletic All-Conference and NSCAA All-East regional honors.

Saari becomes the 22nd player under contract for the 2020 season on a roster that includes:

Goalkeepers (3): CJ Cochran, Kyle Ihn, Cody Laurendi

Defenders (5): Joe Amico, Zachary Ellis-Hayden, Atiba Harris, Kyle Hyland, Christian Ibeagha, Nicolas Taravel

Midfielders (7): Arun Basuljevic, Jonathan Brown, Brad Dunwell, Rafael Garcia, Jose Hernandez, Kodai Iida, Ray Saari, Charlie Ward

Forwards (5): Cordell Cato, Jaime Chavez, Omar Gordon, Frank Lopez, Tucker Stephenson

Energy FC begins the 2020 season at Taft Stadium March 7 at 7 p.m. against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Season seats for the 2020 season are on sale now. Single match tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 4. Visit https://www.energyfc.com/tickets or call 235-KICK for more information.