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Orange County SC and fans defend their home

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 08/08/22, 5:35PM EDT

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Irvine City Council agenda item irks fans near and far


Orange County SC fans celebrate at Championship Soccer Stadium this past Saturday as the defending USL Championship title holders hosted Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at their longtime home. | Photo courtesy Liza Rosales / Orange County SC

Clubs, fans, and supporters’ groups from around the country rallied around Orange County SC on social media in recent days, backing the 2021 USL Championship title winners against a surprise takeover bid for their longtime home of Championship Soccer Stadium in Orange County’s Great Park. 

Championship Soccer Stadium has been OCSC’s home since it opened in 2017, having twice hosted the Western Conference Final in the USL Championship Playoffs. That tenure is now under threat from a proposal to the City of Irvine that would make the LA Galaxy II the exclusive regular tenant at the venue starting in 2023 when it begins competing in MLS Next Pro. 

Reaction from both the local community and the broader soccer community across the United States arrived swiftly on social media, with fans from numerous clubs - including the Galaxy's own - voicing their opposition to the potential move.

“We love Orange County Soccer Club playing in the Great Park,” OCSC President Daniel Rutstein told Angels on Parade’s Alicia Rodriguez. “We love that stadium, are fans of that stadium. We want to keep playing there and that has been something that we’ve been talking about with the city, on and off frankly since we moved there, but with a lot more urgency over the past year as following our [league title] victory the club started growing, the number of fans go[ing] there and just trying to do more with the stadium. As we build our club, we build our brand, and we build our community in Orange County.” 

Over the past eight years under the ownership of James Keston, Orange County has become one of Championship’s top clubs not only competitively but in talent development. This year alone it has transferred a pair of players – 2021 USL Championship Final MVP Ronaldo Damus and United States U-20 international Kobi Henry – to top-flight clubs in Europe, offering a competitive pathway for players through the USL Championship.   

The on-field quality the club has produced its on-field success has seen OCSC’s average attendance top 4,000 fans per game in recent seasons, with the club welcoming 4,068 fans to this past Saturday’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The side has also been active in the Orange County community, helping build relationships with businesses and local programs that have made the club a strong community partner. 

“OCSC is a model professional sports organization that provides a world-class soccer experience for its players and fans and has a real impact on its local community” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The club has won trophies and is recognized throughout global soccer for its player development. Orange Country SC’s home is – and should remain – Championship Soccer Stadium.” 

Options for Championship Soccer Stadium are scheduled to be discussed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT during a City of Irvine council hearing, with the club encouraging fans to make their voices heard both at the meeting and online.  

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