Alen Marcina Named First Head Coach In Rayo OKC History

Rayo OKC introduced Alen Marcina as the club’s first head coach at a press conference in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Marcina has vast experience in the NASL, spending four years with the San Antonio Scorpions’ coaching staff and capturing the NASL Championship in his first full season as head coach in 2014.

He began his coaching career in 2012 as an assistant coach with the Scorpions, as the club finished with the top overall regular-season record in the NASL. After serving as interim head coach at the end of the 2013 season, Marcina was elevated to head coach and his team captured the 2014 NASL title with a dramatic, 2-1, win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

“We welcome Alen and his family to Oklahoma City,” Rayo OKC part-owner Sean Jones said. “His wealth of knowledge of the NASL, combined with his astute communication skills, makes Alen a perfect match for our needs as an expansion franchise.”

Born in Surrey, British Columbia, Marcina played collegiately at Barry University, where he was a three-time All American. He played professionally worldwide for eight years (2002-2009), and was called into a Canadian national team camp in 2007. 

“This is a great opportunity to build a brand in Oklahoma City, and provide a style of play the fans will respect,” Marcina said. “We will play a high-paced, dynamic, and possession-oriented style."

He added: “NASL clubs are making a substantial investment in their on-field product, every year the level of play gets better. We look forward the challenge, and are confident we can compete at a high level in season one."

Marcina, 36, is the youngest head coach in the NASL.