Tag: Orange County SC

U.S. youth star Osundina joins Feyenoord from Orange County SC

The 19-year-old joins the Dutch powerhouse from the USL Championship side

U.S. youth international forward Korede Osundina has completed a transfer to Dutch champion Feyenoord from Orange County SC.

ESPN reported that Feyenoord paid $215,000 for Osundina, with that fee potentially rising to more than $1 million if incentives are met. The 19-year-old will be loaned to Dutch second-tier side Dordrecht for the 2023-24 season.

“I’m beyond thrilled to move to Feyenoord and continue my career in the Netherlands,” Osundina said in a club release. “OCSC gave me the opportunity to play professional soccer and develop me, with a clear path to playing in Europe that I couldn’t have found elsewhere. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time in Irvine, and want to thank everyone at the club for their incredible support.”

Over two seasons with the USL Championship club, Osundina made 37 appearances. He’s scored four goals in the current campaign.

Osundina’s transfer is the first between OCSC and Feyenoord, after the two clubs announced a strategic partnership in February of this year.

“Since our partnership with OCSC began, it became clear to me that the club offers a clear pathway to Europe for emerging talents in the USA,” said Mark Rijul, head of global football at Feyenoord.

“OCSC has a very good technical infrastructure, highly competitive environment and a long-term vision that develops players like Korede for the next level. With this move, we believe Korede can take the next steps in his career, and we are thrilled to help him with that at Feyenoord.”

Osundina, an Illinois native, has been capped by the U.S. at the U-17 and U-19 levels.

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LA Galaxy deny claim they are trying to evict Orange County SC from their stadium

The USL Championship side has said its local MLS rival is trying to evict the team from its home stadium in Irvine

The LA Galaxy have denied that they are attempting to evict Orange County SC from its home stadium in Irvine.

OCSC released a fiery statement over the weekend accusing the Galaxy of eyeing Championship Soccer Stadium as the exclusive home for its upcoming team in MLS NEXT Pro.

“We are stunned and extremely disappointed by yesterday’s news that the city could undo all the great work we have done in soccer and in the local community in Orange County,” OCSC owner James Keston said.

Ahead of an Irvine City Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter, the Galaxy did not deny they are aiming to use Championship Soccer Stadium but insisted they are not looking to evict any of its current tenants.

“The LA Galaxy are a proud partner to the local soccer community and are committed to positively growing the sport of soccer in the Southern California region,” said a statement released on Monday night.“LA Galaxy are not interested in an exclusive arrangement for LA Galaxy II to play at the Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium and have advised all parties of our willingness to open conversations with the City of Irvine and other stakeholders on mutually-acceptable arrangements pertaining to the use of the stadium moving forward.”

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Orange County SC ‘stunned’ as they claim LA Galaxy are trying to evict them behind their back

The USL Championship side is furious with its local MLS rival

Orange County SC has said they were “stunned” to learn that the LA Galaxy are trying to evict them from their home stadium in Irvine.

In a fiery statement released on Friday, OCSC said that the Irvine City Council will consider a proposal on Tuesday that will give the Galaxy exclusive rights to the club’s current home of Championship Soccer Stadium.

OCSC, the current USL Championship title holder, said the club is exploring its legal options in response to a proposal it claimed was “developed without OCSC’s input or awareness.”

“Our club is built in Irvine, 100 percent Orange County proud and now under attack,” OCSC owner James Keston said. “We are stunned and extremely disappointed by yesterday’s news that the city could undo all the great work we have done in soccer and in the local community in Orange County.”

The Galaxy announced this week that they will field a team in MLS NEXT Pro beginning in 2023. Though the Galaxy said a venue for the developmental team would be announced in the coming months, OCSC said the MLS side is targeting their current home stadium.

“The USL is disappointed by the news that the City of Irvine would even consider terminating Orange County SC’s tenancy at Championship Soccer Stadium in Great Park and provide exclusive use to the LA Galaxy’s developmental team. In response, we are working closely with OCSC to explore legal and contractual options,” said USL president Jake Edwards.

Pro Soccer Wire reached out to the Galaxy for a statement on the matter, and will update this piece when we have a response.

OCSC has played at Championship Soccer Stadium inside Orange County Great Park since 2017.

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U.S. youth international Kobi Henry joins Ligue 1 side Reims in record-breaking USL transfer

The 18-year-old will jump from the American second division to the French top flight

Orange County Soccer Club has announced that defender Kobi Henry has joined Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims in the largest transfer deal in the history of the United Soccer League (USL).

Henry, 18, joined USL Championship side Orange County in 2020 and was called up to the U.S. national team in December 2021, becoming the first active USL player to be called up to the USMNT.

Orange County did not disclose terms of the deal but ESPN reported the transfer fee was $700,000, which smashed the previous USL record of $250,000.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for me and my family, a dream come true,” Henry said in a club release. “When I came across the country to play for OCSC, I knew that if I put in the work and followed the plan the coaches laid out for me, I would have the opportunity to  play in Europe. I can’t thank OCSC, the staff, my teammates and the fans enough for  believing in me. Playing abroad at the highest level is a great achievement in my journey as a professional soccer player and I look forward to what the future brings.” 

Henry, who has played for the U.S. at the U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels, made 30 total appearances for OCSC.

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Former Notre Dame soccer star McCabe signs with Orange County SC

Tommy McCabe, a former Notre Dame soccer star, signed a contract with Orange County SC, a team in the United Soccer League.

Tommy McCabe, a former Notre Dame soccer defensive midfielder, has officially signed with Orange County SC today.

This is great news for the former 29th overall pick in the MLS Superdraft in 2019 by FC Cincinnati. Although McCabe started his career on loan to North Carolina FC, he scored two goals in 10 games, making a mark early in his professional career. One of his scores won goal of the week.

McCabe’s Irish career saw him start 60 of 61 contests and during his junior season, he was named Male athlete of the year by The Observer. McCabe was also named to the All-ACC third team that season, making it two time’s he was selected for an All-ACC team, also making it on the All-Freshman team.

Congratulations to Tommy and we look forward to continuing to watch his post-Irish career in the United Soccer League as part of Orange Country SC.