TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League has today bolstered its sporting and player development efforts with the appointment of experienced executive Oliver Wyss as the organization’s Head of Global Football Development and Sporting Director. The former President of Soccer Operations and General Manager at Orange County SC brings an extensive background in club operations, player development, and international transfers.

“We’re very excited to welcome Oliver to the league office,” said USL President Paul McDonough. “The USL has made great strides in the quality of play on the field and in the development of young talent in recent years. Oliver’s wealth of experience at the club level and his proven track record of identifying, developing, and selling top young prospects will help us continue to improve the level of play in our professional leagues and increase our presence in the global transfer market.”

Over the last two years, the USL has significantly grown its reputation for developing and transferring young and exciting players, both domestically and internationally. Prominent transfers include three that Wyss orchestrated – Kobi Henry (Orange County SC to Stade de Reims), Korede Osundina (Orange County SC to Feyenoord), and Milan Iloski (Orange County SC to FC Nordsjælland) – plus Jonathan Gomez (Louisville City SC to Real Sociedad), Diego Luna (El Paso Locomotive FC to Real Salt Lake), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City SC to Benfica).

In his new role, Wyss will report to USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough and be responsible for scaling up league initiatives to develop world-class players and further integrate the USL with the global game through strategic partnerships and the transfer market.

Peter Nugent, who has worked alongside Wyss as Orange County SC Sporting Director for the past nine years, will succeed Wyss as the club’s Head of Soccer Operations.

“I am honored to join the USL during a period of such tremendous growth and opportunity,” Wyss said. “Soccer in the United States is evolving faster than ever, and the USL is perfectly positioned to shape the future of American soccer through the development of clubs that are genuine community assets that win games, inspire greatness, and help players achieve their highest potential. I look forward to working with our clubs and leaders of the game around the world to achieve this goal.” 

Wyss joined Orange County SC in 2014 as Head Coach, and progressively transformed the club into a consistent contender on the field while restructuring the organization’s model to encourage the recruitment of young talented players from Southern California and beyond. He eventually came to oversee all soccer operations for the club, including the coaching staff, technical staff, and roster assembly. Under his leadership, OCSC won the 2021 USL Championship title, reached the USL Championship Playoffs on six occasions in nine years, and saw its average attendance more than triple as it moved into Championship Soccer Stadium.

Wyss was also instrumental in setting up OCSC’s partnerships with Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Glasgow Rangers FC in Scotland to create international opportunities for Orange County’s players.

A native of Switzerland, Wyss started his playing career at F.C. Solothurn and made more than 20 international appearances for the Swiss Youth National Team, including in the European Cup qualifiers. He later moved to the United States to play for the L.A. Salsa in the USISL Pro Division and the Anaheim Splash in the CISL.

Wyss holds a USSF National A license. In 1997, he co-founded the West Coast FC Boys’ Program, guiding the club to three U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships with a significant number of his former players going on to play professionally both domestically and abroad.