A Special Message from Owner & Managing Partner Jeff Burum

December 15, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – Empire Strykers News Release

With the Empire Strykers taking on the Baltimore Blast tonight in their MASL home opener, here’s a special message from Owner and Managing Partner Jeff Burum.

To all Southern California Sports Fans,

On behalf of our players, coaches, and staff, I would like to welcome you to the 2023-24 season of professional indoor soccer.

The beautiful game is deeply rooted in Southern California, which has hosted thrilling FIFA World Cup matches for both men and women, and which boasts teams in the MASL, MLS, the NWSL, and the USL Championship. As the only professional soccer club in the Inland Empire, the Strykers strive to be the worthy representative of a region whose passion for the sport is reflected in the many top-class players it has produced. The list includes former MLS giants like Chad Marshall, Nick Rimando, Brian Dunseth, Ante Razov and Joey Franchino, current U.S. international and 2022 MLS Cup winner Aaron Long, and Stars and Stripes legends like Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and Landon Donovan.

Since their founding as the Ontario Fury a decade ago, the Empire Strykers have made it their mission to not only win on the field but be a leader in the community. It is the deep commitment to this philosophy that motivated me to first get involved with the Strykers. I believe in the Inland Empire, in its people, in the power of their diverse backgrounds, and that every person who calls this beautiful region home deserves to feel like a champion. That’s why we have teamed up with a number of local cities to donate thousands of tickets to families who might otherwise struggle to watch top-level sports in person. My sincere hope is that many of our wonderful Inland Empire businesses will see the value in this and decide to partner with the Strykers as well.

I am determined to continue building an organization whose colors our fans can wear with pride. As a show of intent, the front office and I have worked hard to assemble a roster that is geared toward the future and to attract players of the highest pedigree, such as MASL legend Lucas Roque, former MLS and French Ligue 1 ace Claude Bilal Dielna, and Mexican superstar Marco Fabián.

I want to thank our fantastic administrative and technical staffs, led by Executive Vice President Jimmy Nordberg, General Manager Oliver King, and Head Coach Paul Wright, for their commitment to our shared vision. Above all, I would like to extend a…