Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday that the club has agreed to loan defender Kevin Ellis to OKC Energy FC.
“Kevin is at a point in his career for him to take the next step,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “Getting consistent games in Oklahoma will help provide this opportunity. We'll be tracking his development closely.”
VIDEO: Kevin Ellis goal vs. Cruz Azul
Ellis, 22, is in his fourth professional season as a homegrown player for Sporting Kansas City with nine games played across all competition to date in his career. The Sporting KC Academy product has started five games in all competition for the club this year and scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul in the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
In his rookie year, the Kansas City native debuted during the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and scored against CD Guadalajara in an international friendly at Sporting Park. Ellis made his MLS debut in 2013 and again featured in the U.S. Open Cup. He was also a member of Orlando City SC during their USL PRO championship season in 2013 while on loan with the Lions.
OKC Energy FC, one of Sporting Kansas City’s two official USL PRO affiliates in 2014, are currently in fifth place in the 14-team USL PRO with a 2-2-0 record in their inaugural season. Led by head coach Jimmy Nielsen, the Energy FC roster includes Sporting KC loanees Christian Duke and Jon Kempin, as well as former Sporting Kansas City players Kyle Miller, Cyprian Hedrick and Michael Thomas.
OKC Energy FC will host Orlando City SC on Saturday in the team’s home opener at Pribil Stadium in Oklahoma City. All USL PRO games are streamed live and archived on YouTube during the 2014 season.
