The Grid and the Tulsa Roustabouts Announce The Black Gold Derby and Trophy
Oklahoma City and Tulsa—The Grid and the Tulsa Roustabouts today jointly announced they have given an official title to the head-to-head soccer rivalry between the OKC Energy FC and Tulsa Roughnecks FC. The Black Gold Derby (pronounced “darby”) will consist of all competitive match-ups between the Energy and the Roughnecks during the regular USL season, plus competitive matches that occur during U.S. Open Cups. A trophy will be awarded to the winning team by the Tulsa Roustabouts and The Grid when a team wins the series of matches.
The travelling trophy of The Black Gold Derby will be a 4-foot pipe wrench painted in the colors of Tulsa Roughnecks FC on one side and the colors of OKC Energy FC on the other. A blue stripe, a color shared by both teams, will wrap around the wrench. The trophy will be awarded based on points earned for wins (3 points each) and draws (1 point each) during the regular USL season and for U.S. Open Cup fixtures, should the teams meet during the tournament.
“Our rivalry with Tulsa springs from two passions both sides hold very dear: a love of the beautiful game and an appreciation for our state’s history and culture. The Black Gold Derby is a proper homage to both,” said John Bratt, a representative for The Grid. “We look forward to being a part of what will be one of the most electrifying derbies in the sport, and the only professional sports rivalry in the state.”
Despite Tulsa’s team being less than a season old, The Black Gold Derby is already a fierce and bitter rivalry. Nobody knows that better than The Grid and the Roustabouts, who both sent delegates to a meeting to put aside their differences in order to establish a lasting derby and trophy.
“2015 has already been an extraordinary year for Tulsa with the return of professional soccer. The rivalry between us and OKC has quickly grown to be one of the fiercest in not only USL but in all of American soccer,” said Zach Easdon, president of the Tulsa Roustabouts. “The Roustabouts are excited to partner with The Grid to form The Black Gold Derby to further this rivalry and hopefully create something that will last for years to come.”
In the 2015 season, the teams will meet a total of five times before the end of the regular season play, with one of those fixtures being a part of the U.S. Open Cup. The series currently stands at 7 points to 1, in favor of Oklahoma City.
Energy FC will be the first team with an opportunity to “clinch the wrench” with a win or a draw during the July 18 match between the two teams at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City. The trophy will be on hand should a presentation be necessary. If the Roughnecks secure a win over the Energy in July, the trophy will travel to Tulsa in September for a presentation after the match on Sept. 6 at ONEOK Field.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC have the opportunity to tie the series with two wins. Should a tie on points happen, the trophy would be presented to the team with the highest goal differential from matches played against each other. In case of a tie in both points and goal differential, the team with the higher number of away goals scored will determine the winner. Finally, in case of a tie on points, goal differential and away goal differential, the trophy will be given to the team with the highest final placement in USL rankings.
About The Grid
The Grid is the supporters group for OKC Energy FC. More information about The Grid can be found at www.okcgrid.com and on Twitter at @TheGridOKC.
About Tulsa Roustabouts
The Tulsa Roustabouts are the official supporters group of Tulsa Roughnecks FC. More information about the Tulsa Roustabouts can be found at www.tulsaroustabouts.com and on Twitter at @TRoustabouts.