As part of a 3-part series, we get know some of the newest members of the Orange County SC squad. Today, we catchup with Defender Danny Acosta.
Orange County SC (OCSC): Welcome to Orange County, Danny! Aside from joining the defending USL Champions, what else attracted you to come to this club?
Danny Acosta (DA): One of the main things that attracted me was how the organization works. Especially when the coaches were talking to me about the club culture and what they are trying to build really motivated me to be part of it. I feel that I will fit pretty well in the organization and the culture, overall.
OCSC: Looking towards the home opener on March 19, what excites you the most as you prepare for the season?
DA: I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. I just spoke to everyone on the phone but I just can’t wait to meet everyone to get started and to learn more about them. I want to get to know them, build friendships, on and off the field and just get started. I feel it’s been too long already and we just want to start and defend the title.
OCSC: Let’s talk about the fans, who will be behind the team every game in this title defense! So, when you get on that pitch at Championship Soccer Stadium with the Black and Orange, what should fans expect to see from you?
DA: Expect to see that every game I’m gonna try to perform my best and to try to help the team out in any way possible, either while playing or even on the bench. I want the fans to know, I want to give 100 percent all the time. Because at the end of the day, we do this for them. And their main role is to support us so I mean to do everything to the fans every day and make sure that we do a great job.
OCSC: In your own words, and how would you describe yourself as a player?
DA: For me, I am the type of player that loves to enjoy the game. I like to play hard and I’m very physical. And more than anything else, I like having fun on the field. At the same time, I love to keep the ball in any way possible that can help the team out more.
OCSC: And, which players have you looked up to in your soccer career?
DA: I always looked up to players that I don’t even play my position like [Lionel] Messi. I love watching him a lot to see what he does on the field. There is also Marcelo for Real Madrid at left-back and Alex Sandro. And if I have to tell you, as of right now, I think Alphonso Davies. I would say that kid is unbelievable and I played against him, watched him play and seen what he’s have done so far. It’s amazing.
OCSC: Alphonso Davies? Can you tell us more about why you look up to the Canadian and Bayern Munich defender?
DA: So I played against him growing up, in USL and MLS, even with the national teams. I met him too, as a person, because when I lived in Orlando, my roommate was Canadian. When the USA played Canada, we were just hanging around and he’s a very nice guy overall. He’s very talented for being so young. The rise of him so far within the past two and a half year it’s unbelievable and I’m pretty sure like any other left-back that is out there will love to look up to this kid. Even if he’s so young compared to the older guys, he is the new generation and the way he plays is amazing.
OCSC: Now, let’s shift our focus to Orange County, the place itself. Is there anything you already know about Orange County and things that you look forward to doing when you’re not on the field?
DA: As far as I know, there is the Great Park and the Orange County Fair that I went to last year. So that’s pretty much everything that I know as far as Orange County aside just driving past through it. And I just want to get involved with the community more than anything and to be a part of that community to learn more about the club and the fans.
OCSC: It is definitely important to get involved. Orange County has a really great soccer community and not a lot of people know that it’s there. What people do know are the beaches and the surfing, have you ever gone surfing before?
DA: I have not gone even though my neighbors always invite me to go surfing. I would love to try it, why not? It’s funny because I lived in Utah for half of my life and never once did I ski.
OCSC: Well, Orange County doesn’t have the mountains to ski, but there are some nice hiking spots that a lot of the team like to explore, are you into that?
DA: Yes, there’s one that you can see everything –Top of the World–that’s the name of it. It’s a pretty good hike. There’s also a tough one that is maybe like a three mile hike. There’s a park around it where you jog around and then if you want to go to the top, you have to walk up this hill or you can run. I used to do the hike and run the hill up and down maybe like five or six times just to get fit.
OCSC: What’s your favorite color? And if it’s orange, why is it orange? And if it’s not orange, why will it be orange by the end of the season?
DA: My favorite color is green. I like the color green and it brings me happiness and balance. But now, I have a second favorite color which is definitely orange. I love it. There’s nothing I won’t be seeing orange. I definitely think orange is my second favorite color.
OCSC: Anything else you want to say to the fans as you prepare for the season?
DA: I am just looking forward to getting to know them. You know, getting to be there with them, getting to be involved with our community. And then just expect everything from us. You know, we have high expectations already because they won the championship last year. So we already have a target on our back and we’re going to be performing at a high level with high intensity on and off the pitch and hopefully they enjoy it as we get started.
OCSC: Awesome and thank you, Danny! We can’t wait to see you with the team and defend the championship!
As part of a 3-part series, we get know some of the newest members of the Orange County SC squad. Today, we catchup with Defender Danny Acosta.
Orange County SC (OCSC): Welcome to Orange County, Danny! Aside from joining the defending USL Champions, what else attracted you to come to this club?
Danny Acosta (DA): One of the main things that attracted me was how the organization works. Especially when the coaches were talking to me about the club culture and what they are trying to build really motivated me to be part of it. I feel that I will fit pretty well in the organization and the culture, overall.
OCSC: Looking towards the home opener on March 19, what excites you the most as you prepare for the season?
DA: I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. I just spoke to everyone on the phone but I just can’t wait to meet everyone to get started and to learn more about them. I want to get to know them, build friendships, on and off the field and just get started. I feel it’s been too long already and we just want to start and defend the title.
OCSC: Let’s talk about the fans, who will be behind the team every game in this title defense! So, when you get on that pitch at Championship Soccer Stadium with the Black and Orange, what should fans expect to see from you?
DA: Expect to see that every game I’m gonna try to perform my best and to try to help the team out in any way possible, either while playing or even on the bench. I want the fans to know, I want to give 100 percent all the time. Because at the end of the day, we do this for them. And their main role is to support us so I mean to do everything to the fans every day and make sure that we do a great job.
OCSC: In your own words, and how would you describe yourself as a player?
DA: For me, I am the type of player that loves to enjoy the game. I like to play hard and I’m very physical. And more than anything else, I like having fun on the field. At the same time, I love to keep the ball in any way possible that can help the team out more.
OCSC: And, which players have you looked up to in your soccer career?
DA: I always looked up to players that I don’t even play my position like [Lionel] Messi. I love watching him a lot to see what he does on the field. There is also Marcelo for Real Madrid at left-back and Alex Sandro. And if I have to tell you, as of right now, I think Alphonso Davies. I would say that kid is unbelievable and I played against him, watched him play and seen what he’s have done so far. It’s amazing.
OCSC: Alphonso Davies? Can you tell us more about why you look up to the Canadian and Bayern Munich defender?
DA: So I played against him growing up, in USL and MLS, even with the national teams. I met him too, as a person, because when I lived in Orlando, my roommate was Canadian. When the USA played Canada, we were just hanging around and he’s a very nice guy overall. He’s very talented for being so young. The rise of him so far within the past two and a half year it’s unbelievable and I’m pretty sure like any other left-back that is out there will love to look up to this kid. Even if he’s so young compared to the older guys, he is the new generation and the way he plays is amazing.
OCSC: Now, let’s shift our focus to Orange County, the place itself. Is there anything you already know about Orange County and things that you look forward to doing when you’re not on the field?
DA: As far as I know, there is the Great Park and the Orange County Fair that I went to last year. So that’s pretty much everything that I know as far as Orange County aside just driving past through it. And I just want to get involved with the community more than anything and to be a part of that community to learn more about the club and the fans.
OCSC: It is definitely important to get involved. Orange County has a really great soccer community and not a lot of people know that it’s there. What people do know are the beaches and the surfing, have you ever gone surfing before?
DA: I have not gone even though my neighbors always invite me to go surfing. I would love to try it, why not? It’s funny because I lived in Utah for half of my life and never once did I ski.
OCSC: Well, Orange County doesn’t have the mountains to ski, but there are some nice hiking spots that a lot of the team like to explore, are you into that?
DA: Yes, there’s one that you can see everything –Top of the World–that’s the name of it. It’s a pretty good hike. There’s also a tough one that is maybe like a three mile hike. There’s a park around it where you jog around and then if you want to go to the top, you have to walk up this hill or you can run. I used to do the hike and run the hill up and down maybe like five or six times just to get fit.
OCSC: What’s your favorite color? And if it’s orange, why is it orange? And if it’s not orange, why will it be orange by the end of the season?
DA: My favorite color is green. I like the color green and it brings me happiness and balance. But now, I have a second favorite color which is definitely orange. I love it. There’s nothing I won’t be seeing orange. I definitely think orange is my second favorite color.
OCSC: Anything else you want to say to the fans as you prepare for the season?
DA: I am just looking forward to getting to know them. You know, getting to be there with them, getting to be involved with our community. And then just expect everything from us. You know, we have high expectations already because they won the championship last year. So we already have a target on our back and we’re going to be performing at a high level with high intensity on and off the pitch and hopefully they enjoy it as we get started.
OCSC: Awesome and thank you, Danny! We can’t wait to see you with the team and defend the championship!