OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC became the latest USL club to launch its own futsal court last week, with the new development near Central High School in inner-city Oklahoma City the first of what is expected to be at least 10 such courts introduced around the city for public play.

Energy FC worked with local basketball organization Team Griffin and City Center to help build the first futsal court, and dedicated the new court on Thursday. Unsurprisingly the blut court has plenty of green trimming, and the kids of Oklahoma City were more than happy to be the first to play a game on the new court, the first public futsal court in the city.

“This is bigger than just this court, I think the vision is to do this all over the city, wherever we see the need,” said Taylor Griffin of Team Griffin. “This is a wonderful alternative to other things kids could be doing, they can come out here and work on their skills.”

The development follows similar projects established by other USL clubs to establish futsal as a year-round playing option in the city, including the opening of FC Cincinnati's first futsal court last November. Energy FC players and staff were on hand to inaugurate the court with a quick game, which will add to the club's efforts to work alongside the local soccer community to generate interest and opportunity to play away from regular practice fields. More courts will be built in the city in the future, with Team Griffin continuing as a partner to grow active lifestyles in Oklahoma City.

Energy FC Co-Owner Tim McLauglin was excited for the mission ahead, promising to build more throughout the city and joking with Griffin “Let’s go throughout the city, you’ve got the energy for it,” ready to start on the next court straight away.

MOMENTUM ON THE MON: In one of the most striking rebrands in USL, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC revealed a bold new look ahead of the 2018 season on Friday night. It wasn’t just the striking new kits that were launched on Friday, but a new crest, launching a new era for the Hounds and the sport in Pittsburgh.

“It’s new energy,” said Riverhounds SC Head Coach Bob Lilley. “It’s us saying we are going to take another step forward.”

The change from the Hounds head that had represented the club since its inception in 1999 to a more traditional look has been met with praise throughout social media this weekend. There has not been a complete abandonment of the hound, now represented by a paw print in the middle of the shield, but the look and feel are very different and put Riverhounds SC firmly in the middle of the city's sporting landscape.

“There has been so much progress,” Lilley said, “but we want more as an organization. To grow and reach more people, to create a bigger environment, to win things and to represent the City of Pittsburgh successfully.”