Empire Strykers
Founded2013
StadiumToyota Arena
Ontario, California
Capacity9,736
Managing PartnerJeff Burum
General Manager/
Head Coach		Jimmy Nordberg
LeagueMajor Arena Soccer League
2022–236th, Western Division
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

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.

History

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

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

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

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

Active players

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.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Brazil BRA Claysson De Lima
2 MF United States USA Noe Favila
5 F United States USA Kemal Malcom
7 MF United States USA Hugo Magana Jr.
8 MF United States USA Jesus Pacheco
9 F United States USA Nestor Hernandez
10 MF United States USA Justin Stinson
9 MF United States USA Nestor Hernandez
10 MF United States USA Justin Stinson
11 DF United States USA Juan Topete
12 F Brazil BRA Gabriel Costa
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 DF United States USA Adam James
18 DF United States USA Christian Alvarado
19 DF United States USA De Bray Hollimon
21 DF Brazil BRA Maicon De Abreu
23 MF United States USA Israel Sesay
31 GK United States USA Chris Toth
32 DF United States USA Jeff Hughes
70 DF United States USA Uzi Tayou
77 MF South Korea KOR Lee Jiho
91 MF United States USA Joseph Cairel

Inactive players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
10 MF Portugal POR David Parente
14 MF United States USA Andy Reyes
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF South Korea KOR Jinho Kim
22 MF Tunisia TUN Ouday Belhadj

Staff

  • United States Jimmy Nordberg – Head coach
  • Scotland Troy McKerrell – Assistant coach

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "SOCCER: Fury welcomes back handful of veterans". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo. October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "PASL Announces Expansion Team in Inland Empire". Our Sports Central. May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  8. ↑ Brewster, Louis (May 29, 2013). "Soccer: Indoor league coming to Ontario arena". The San Bernardino Sun. San Bernardino, CA: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. 1 2 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.
  13. 1 2 "Ontario Fury Announcement". Our Sports Central. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  14. ↑ Powell, Nancy (November 14, 2013). "The Sound and the Fury". Inland Empire Weekly. Corona, CA. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  15. ↑ WE ARE THE EMPIRE STRYKERS 🏴 #WeAreEmpire #BewareTheEmpire #AnEmpireStrykingBack | By Ontario Fury | Facebook, retrieved 2022-09-18
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "Ontario Fury roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved 22 May 2020.


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