Orange County Soccer Club skillfully balances multiple tasks.
Casual Fans Witnessing a Delicate Juggling Act at Orange County Soccer Club
When casual fans attend the Orange County Soccer Club’s (OCSC) 7 p.m. Sept. 15 United Soccer League match against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks at Great Park in Irvine, they might not realize the full extent of what they are witnessing.
While the action on the field at Championship Soccer Stadium is undoubtedly the main attraction, a closer look reveals a delicate juggling act being performed by the home side.
“From Day 1, we wanted to make sure that the goal of our club is dual visions of competing for championships but also developing a clear strategy for a player pathway,”
OCSC President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss told The Epoch Times.
“… It’s a very fine balance between being able to compete in an ever-developing league that gets better every day, and still developing young players.”
Striving for Success on Multiple Fronts
With an 8–0–1 unbeaten streak and six regular-season games remaining before the league playoffs begin in mid-October, OCSC currently holds a 14–9–5 record, placing them in third position in the Western Conference of the USL. Additionally, over the past three years, the club has successfully transferred six players to high-level European teams.
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for OCSC. Last season, they finished in last place in the West with a 7–14–13 record, and this year started slowly, leading to the removal of championship-winning Coach Richard Chaplow and the hiring of Interim Coach Morten Karlsen in June.
“You don’t get it right all the time,”
Mr. Wyss said.
“What is very important is you cannot deviate from the plan you’ve laid out simply based on some results that maybe don’t go your way, where you feel you have to abandon everything to win at all costs. We instilled it in the DNA of our club … Our head coach has to believe that when a young player is ready, he plays, and really create the environment where a young player can succeed.”
Individual Success Stories
One of the latest success stories for OCSC is former UCLA forward Milan Iloski, who holds the team’s all-time record with 38 goals. After this season, Iloski will be transferred to FC Nordsjaelland of the Danish Superliga.
Iloski follows in the footsteps of former OCSC players Korede Osundina and Kobi Henry, who have also made successful transfers to top-tier clubs in Europe.
“Let’s face it, the way to make money all around the world in soccer is through player transfers,”
Mr. Wyss explained.
“In the United States, professional sports are more based on franchise value and sponsorships and ticket revenues. That’s an important piece for us, as well, but we feel strongly that through the USL, we can take advantage of the player-transfer market that is obviously worth billions and billions every single year around the world.”
Investing in Youth Development
Part of OCSC’s development program is an “academy” team that allows younger players to train with the USL entry while gaining playing experience in lower-level games.
Already this season, several young players have had the opportunity to showcase their skills. Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Juan Santana of Corona has appeared in two games for OCSC, recording shutouts in both. Sixteen-year-old midfielder Ben Norris from Poway and 16-year-old forward Nico Ruiz from Huntington Beach High School have also made appearances, along with 17-year-old winger Bryce Jamison and 18-year-old center backs Ashton Miles of Fullerton and Joey Buckley.
Orange County’s soccer fan base has responded well, with sellout crowds showing their support for the club.
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