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Orange County SC

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For the USL League 2 team, see Orange County SC U-23.

Orange County SC
Full nameOrange County Soccer Club
Founded1998; 26 years ago (1998) (as Los Angeles Blues)
StadiumChampionship Soccer Stadium
Irvine, California
Capacity5,000
OwnerJames Keston
CoachPaul Hardyman
LeagueUSL Championship
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Orange County Soccer Club is an American soccer team based in the Orange County, California city of Irvine. Founded in 2010 as the Los Angeles Blues, the team currently plays in the Western Conference of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer system.

The team plays its home games at Championship Soccer Stadium, located inside Great Park in Irvine.

History

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The then Los Angeles Blues were founded by Iranian-American businessman Ali Mansouri in 1998 and announced as a USL Pro expansion franchise on December 7, 2010.[1][2][3][4][5] The team was associated with the United Soccer Leagues W-League team LA Blues, and is part of the larger Orange County Blues organization, which has competed in Los Angeles-area amateur leagues since 1998. They introduced their first three players—goalkeeper Oscar Dautt and midfielders Cesar Rivera and Josh Tudela—at a formal launch event on December 14, 2010.[6]

After an extensive pre-season, the Blues played their first games in the Caribbean over the weekend of April 15–17, 2011, a 3–0 victory over Sevilla Puerto Rico, and a 2–1 victory over Antigua Barracuda. The first goal in franchise history was scored by Cesar Rivera.[7]

In January 2012, the Blues announced the hiring of Steve Donner (formerly CEO of Orlando City) as vice president of business operations to focus on improving marketing for the club and to bring professionalism to the front-office.[8] The first game of the 2012 season reflected these efforts with a 2,432 attendance compared to 696 for the first home game in 2011 (the Blues averaged 382 during the 2011 season).

In 2016, the team was purchased by American businessman James Keston, rebranded to Orange County SC.[2] Prior to the 2017 season, Orange County became the USL affiliate of Los Angeles FC in a multi-year deal, which was ended after 2018.[9][10] The team won the Western Conference Regular Season Title in 2018 with 20 Wins, 8 losses and 6 ties. They defeated Saint Louis FC and Reno 1868 FC before losing 2–1 to Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference Final.[11] Thomas Enevoldsen scored 20 goals and was named to the All-League First Team along with Aodhan Quinn.[12]

In the 2021 season, Head Coach Braden Cloutier was dismissed mid-season and replaced by Assistant Coach Richard Chaplow.[13] OCSC went on to finish second in the Pacific Division, and advance to the USL Championship Final, defeating Tampa Bay Rowdies away at St. Petersburg, Florida, 3–1 in regulation.[14]

The 2022 season saw Richard Chaplow earn a last place Western Conference finish, despite Milan Iloski earning the USL Championship Golden Boot award.[15] Orange County SC finished the 2022 season 7-14-13 with 34 points, last in the Western Conference.[16]

The 2023 season also did not start strong for Orange County, with just one win in eight games, with a 1-4-3 record before the team relieved Chaplow of duties and promoted newly hired assistant coach Morten Karlsen to interim head coach on May 1, 2023.[17] Karlsen led the team to a season-end 2nd place Western Conference placement at 17-11-6, earning two consecutive USL Championship Coach of the Month awards for July and August.[18] Coach Karlsen was appointed as Head Coach on a multi-year contract, announced November 2023.[19]

Orange County lost star forward Milan Iloski during the 2024 January transfer window to Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjælland.[20][21] The loss of the former Golden Boot winner resulted in Orange County having a mediocre start to their 2024 season, with a record of 6-3-6 by late June.[22] This start contributed to Coach Karlsen making a transfer in the middle of the season to another club in the Danish Superliga, Lyngby BK.[23] He was replaced by the assistant coach, Paul Hardyman,[24] who after being labled as an interim coach, was promoted to lead as the official coach until the end of the 2024 season.[25]

Stadium

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View of the main grandstand in the Championship Soccer Stadium on August 3, 2024 from the Northwest corner of the stadium

In October 2023, it was announced the City of Irvine and Orange County SC had drafted a 5-year agreement for the team to operate Championship Soccer Stadium.[26] On October 23, City Council voted unanimously to approve the deal, striking a stadium naming right clause in the agreement for separate negotiation and later City Council approval.[27] The 5-year agreement includes one 5-year renewal.

Club culture

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Rivalries

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Ventura County FC

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Orange County competes in the 405 Derby against rivals Ventura County FC, formerly known as LA Galaxy II, nicknamed after Interstate-405, an interstate highway that links between Orange County and Los Angeles County.[28] The clubs were in a dispute over who would play at Championship Soccer Stadium in late 2022, after leaked documents showed the Galaxy organization attempted to seize full-time usage of the venue.[29] The rivalry has slowed down as of late, as after LA Galaxy II moved to MLS Next, the third tier of the American soccer system, both teams have only met in pre-season friendlies.[30][31]

The County Line Coalition during an August 2024 match against North Carolina FC

Supporter groups

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Orange County has one main supporter group, named the County Line Coalition.[32] A zero-fee supporter group that was founded in 2014 in correspondence with the rebrand from the Los Angeles Blues to the Orange County Blues SC,[33] they mainly sit in the left corner of the general seating bleachers behind the north goalpost, chanting and singing songs adapted to the tune of popular music, like "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver, amongst others.[34]

Gnarley during an August 2024 match as he walks around the stadium

Mascot

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On April 9, 2021, Orange County introduced their new mascot, Gnarley.[35] He is an orange, surf-themed monster that can be typically seen on game day and at various Orange County SC activities around the county.[36]

Players and staff

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Current roster

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As of July 23, 2024[37]

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 United States USA Colin Shutler (Captain)
2 DF United States USA Owen Lambe
3 DF United States USA Charlie Asensio
5 DF United States USA Dillon Powers
6 DF England ENG Andrew Fox
7 FW United States USA Cameron Dunbar
8 MF United States USA Seth Casiple
9 FW United States USA Ethan Zubak
10 MF United States USA Brian Iloski
11 FW United States USA Bryce Jamison
14 DF United States USA Ryan Flood (on loan from Phoenix Rising FC)
15 MF United States USA Ashish Chattha
16 MF United States USA Chris Hegardt (on loan from Stabæk Fotball)
17 FW El Salvador SLV Christian Sorto
19 MF United States USA Kevin Partida
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 GK United States USA Duran Ferree (on loan from San Diego FC)
21 FW Cameroon CMR Thomas Amang
22 DF United States USA Joseph Buckley
23 DF Norway NOR Ryan Doghman
24 FW United States USA Benjamin Barjolo
25 MF United States USA Ryan Ayoub ([A])
26 MF United States USA Kyle Scott
27 FW United States USA Marcus Lee ([A])
29 GK United States USA Juan Santana ([A])
30 DF Norway NOR Markus Nakkim
32 FW United States USA Nicolás Ruiz ([A])
33 DF United States USA Ashton Miles
34 MF United States USA Ethan Loomis ([A])
35 MF United States USA Ben Norris ([A])
  1. ^
    USL Academy Contract

Front office

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  • United States James Keston – Owner & CEO[38]
  • Switzerland Oliver Wyss – President of Soccer Operations & General Manager
  • England Peter Nugent – Sports Director
  • England Dan Rutstein - Interim President of Business Operations

Technical staff

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Head coaches

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Record

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Year-by-year

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Main article: List of Orange County SC seasons

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the club. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Orange County SC seasons.

Season League Position Playoffs USOC Continental / Other Average attendance Top goalscorer(s)
Div League Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts PPG Conf. Overall Name Goals
2019 2 USLC 34 15 10 9 54 43 +11 54 1.59 5th 12th R1 R2 DNQ 3,192 Jamaica Michael Seaton
United States Darwin Jones		 13
2020 USLC 16 7 6 3 18 18 0 24 1.50 9th 17th DNQ NH 3,188 United States Sean Okoli 7
2021 USLC 32 15 10 7 44 37 +7 52 1.63 2nd 7th W NH 3,302 Haiti Ronaldo Damus 16
2022 USLC 34 7 14 13 49 59 -10 34 1.00 13th 23rd DNQ R3 4,230 United States Milan Iloski 22 ♦
2023 USLC 34 17 11 6 46 39 +7 57 1.68 2nd 5th SF R3 4,411 United States Milan Iloski 17

^ 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
^ 2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in league play, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive matches.

Honors

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References

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  1. ^ "Irvine-based soccer team changes ownership". Orange County Register. September 8, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  2. ^ a b USLSoccer.com Staff (September 8, 2016). "Blues Purchased by Southern California Businessman Keston". United Soccer League. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "Mehrshad Momeni: Consumed by the Game". OurSports Central. August 10, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "OC Blues 2015 Player Postmortem: Mehrshad Momeni". Angels on Parade. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  5. ^ LA Blues Set to Play in USL PRO Archived December 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Los Angeles Blues Sign First Three Players". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  7. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  8. ^ Scott French (April 13, 2012). L.A. BLUES: Starting over, with a plan. ESPNLosAngeles.com.
  9. ^ USLSoccer.com Staff (December 7, 2016). "LAFC, Orange County Blues FC Announce Multi-Year Partnership". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  10. ^ MLSSoccer.com Staff (December 14, 2018). "LAFC announce end of USL affiliation with Orange County SC". Alicia Rodriguez. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  11. ^ Merk, Carson (November 4, 2018). "Record Season for Orange County Ends. Phoenix Rises". OrangeCountySoccer.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  12. ^ "Orange County SC Aodhan Quinn and Thomas Enevoldsen Named to 2018 USL All-League First Team". Orange County SC Staff. OrangeCountySoccer.com. November 5, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  13. ^ "Orange County SC dismiss head coach Braeden Cloutier".
  14. ^ "Orange County SC drops Rowdies to win its first USL Championship title - SBI Soccer". sbisoccer.com. November 30, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "MILAN ILOSKI WINS THE FIRST GOLDEN BOOT IN CLUB HISTORY". Orange County SC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  16. ^ "Standings". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT". Orange County SC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "HEAD COACH MORTEN KARLSEN BECOMES THE FIRST COACH IN CLUB HISTORY TO WIN USL CHAMPIONSHIP COACH OF THE MONTH". Orange County SC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC APPOINTS MORTEN KARLSEN AS HEAD COACH WITH NEW MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT". Orange County SC. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  20. ^ Burke, Elias. "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski moves to Nordsjaelland, continuing trend in USL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  21. ^ "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski headed to Europe after USL season". Orange County Register. September 13, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Indy Eleven vs Orange County SC - Final Score - Standings - June 22, 2024". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Morten Karlsen er Lyngbys nye cheftræner - Lyngby Boldklub". lyngby-boldklub.dk (in Danish). June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC AND LYNGBY BK AGREE TO TERMS AS HEAD COACH MORTEN KARLSEN HEADS TO DENMARK". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC NAMES PAUL HARDYMAN HEAD COACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON". Orange County SC. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  26. ^ "Orange County SC - City of Irvine - Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium Use Proposal". Orange & Black SoccerCast. October 8, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  27. ^ https://irvine.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=irvine_abf1f033e995c906f5d334e4952c0a44.pdf&view=1. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ "EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN ORANGE COUNTY SC VISITS LOS DOS". orangecountysoccer.com. July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Calhoun, Damian (August 8, 2022). "Irvine City Council's plans to discuss use of Championship Soccer Stadium moved off of agenda". The Orange County Register. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  30. ^ lagalaxy. "LA Galaxy II To Join MLS NEXT Pro Beginning In 2023 | LA Galaxy". lagalaxy. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (December 6, 2021). "LA Galaxy to enter MLS Next Pro league in 2023". LAG Confidential. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  32. ^ "Home | County Line Coalition". County LineCoalition. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  33. ^ "Supporters Groups". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  34. ^ "Supporter Chants". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  35. ^ "EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ORANGE COUNTY SC HOSTS SAN ANTONIO". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  36. ^ Turner, Andrew (August 13, 2022). "City of Irvine considering options for future use of Championship Soccer Stadium". Daily Pilot. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  37. ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "Front Office". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
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