Home

Defender Alex Crognale Joins Orange County SC on Season Long Loan from Columbus Crew SC

IRVINE, Calif. (March 15, 2018) – Center back Alex Crognale joins Orange County Soccer Club on season long loan from Columbus Crew SC (“Crew”) for the duration of the 2018 season, it was announced today. The Crew will have the right to recall Crognale at any time during the loan peiord. Crognale has made 19 appearances for the Crew, with 1 assist.

“Alex is an extremely athletic center back that will provide us the support we will need from the back,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He is very strong in the air, a great passer of the ball and comes from a fantastic organization who always look to play progressive soccer.”

Crognale made his professional debut for the Crew on March 18, 2017 against D.C. United. A product of Columbus Crew SC’s Academy, Crognale, 23 was signed to a Homegrown Player contract by the Crew on December 20, 2016.

He won back-to-back State Cups in 2012 and 2013 while with the University of Maryland. He captained the Terrapins to a third straight Big Ten tourney title and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was also chosen for the First-Team All-American in 2015 and was a MAC Herman Trophy semi-finalist in 2015. He had 73 appearances, scoring 11 goals and tallying 3 assists for Maryland over four seasons.

Orange County SC will kick-off its home opener at Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park this Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.

Photo credit: Columbus Crew SC

Alex Crognale
Position: Defender
Height: 6-5
Weight: 201 lbs.
Born: 08/27/1994
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
Transaction: On 2018 season long loan from Columbus Crew SC with right to recall.

Photo credit: Columbus Crew SC

Alex Crognale
Position: Defender
Height: 6-5
Weight: 201 lbs.
Born: 08/27/1994
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
Transaction: On 2018 season long loan from Columbus Crew SC with right to recall.

Goalkeeper Andre Rawls Joins Orange County SC on Season Long Loan from New York City FC

IRVINE, Calif. (March 15, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced today Goalkeeper Andre Rawls will join the club on season long loan from New York City FC (“NYCFC”) for the duration of the 2018 season. However, NYCFC will have the right to recall Rawls at any time during the loan period.

“Andre has been with NYCFC for the past three seasons, a club with a technical staff that speaks very highly of him. I know they wanted to get him games and continue his development, which is great for us too,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “With Frans Hoek as our technical director and our need for another quality goalkeeper to fill out our squad, it’s a win-win for both organizations.”

Rawls, 26, was drafted by NYCFC in the 3rd round of the 2015 SuperDraft as part of the club’s College Protected List. Prior to signing with NYCFC on March 3, 2016, Rawls, 26, played for NYCFC’s United Soccer League affiliate at the time, the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2015 where he made 22 starts. He was drafted from St. Mary’s College in 2015 where he set the schools record for career goals against average with a 0.98 per game average.

Photo credit: New York City Football Club

Andre Rawls
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 182 lbs.
Born: 12/20/1991
Birthplace: Saint Louis, MO
Transaction: Loaned to Orange County SC on 2018 season long loan from New York City FC with right to recall

Photo credit: New York City Football Club

15-Year-Old Goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes Signs Professional Contract with Orange County SC

IRVINE, Calif. (March 15, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced today the signing of talented 15-year-old goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes to his first professional United Soccer League contract. Cervantes joins Orange County SC from Irvine-based powerhouse youth club Pateadores SC.

"The signing of Aaron is a huge first step towards creating the ‘pathway to professional soccer’ in Orange County that I have spoken about since the day I purchased the team 18 months ago," said Orange County SC Owner James Keston. "We expect Aaron to be the first of many young Southern California players with world-class talent to be signed by OCSC and given the opportunity to prove themselves against top level professionals. We did not sign Aaron to join an Academy or to sit on the bench…we signed him because we expect him to earn a spot and play on our first team."

“The signing of Aaron is a huge first step towards creating the ‘pathway to professional soccer’ in Orange County that I have spoken about since the day I purchased the team 18 months ago,” said Orange County SC Owner James Keston. “We expect Aaron to be the first of many young Southern California players with world-class talent to be signed by OCSC and given the opportunity to prove themselves against top level professionals. We did not sign Aaron to join an Academy or to sit on the bench…we signed him because we expect him to earn a spot and play on our first team.”

A Southern California native from Chino Hills, Cervantes joins LA Galaxy II’s Efrain Alvarez and Bethlehem Steel FC’s Thomas Romero as one of the youngest players in league history to sign a professional contract. Cervantes will turn 16 on March 20. Alvarez and Romero were 15 year olds when they made their professional debuts.

“Aaron is an incredible talent whose ability as a goalkeeper and maturity as a young man are way beyond his years,” said Orange County SC General Manager & Executive Vice President Oliver Wyss. “Aaron is a landmark signing for our club and he represents exactly the type of player we are looking for as we continue to build the pathway to professional soccer here in Orange County. Aaron will flourish in our professional environment both on and off the field and has a very bright future ahead of him!”

Cervantes began his soccer career playing for the LA Galaxy youth academy and had multiple call ups to the US Youth National Team training camps. After joining the Pateadores in the summer of 2017 and a strong start to his Academy season, Cervantes was most recently called up to the U17 Men’s National Team nine-day training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center last month.

“It is very exciting to be working with such a young talent like Aaron! I had the privilege to work with him for two years when he was 11-12 years old. I am very proud of the progress he has made in such a short period of time. You could see his potential with his work rate and dedication,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “Even though he is only 15, he fits right in with the senior experienced pros! He is just at the beginning of this amazing journey and still has a tremendous amount to learn, but if he continues to work hard and learn from Victor and Frans, the skies the limit for him!”

Orange County SC will kick-off its 2018 season with its home opener at Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park this Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.

Aaron Cervantes
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs.
Born: 03/20/2002
Birthplace: Chino Hills, CA

Orange County SC Signs Center Back Walker Hume

IRVINE, Calif. (March 15, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of defender Walker Hume. The Dallas born center back joined Orange County SC in 2017 on loan from FC Dallas. A late-season addition, Hume made 9 appearances for the club.

“I’m very happy to have Walker back with us and am looking forward to having him with us for a full season. He made a big impact for us at the end of last season in the short period of time he was with us on loan from FC Dallas,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He’s very comfortable on the ball and reads the game really well. He’s a great teammate who fits perfectly with how we want to play.”

Hume, 24, was selected by FC Dallas in the 2nd Round of the 2017 MLS Super Draft. He began playing in college with Rollins College before transitioning to UNC at Chapel Hill during the 2014 season. During college, Hume appeared for Austin Aztex and Midland/Odessa Sockers. He then signed with Portland Timbers U23s.

Walker Hume
Position: Defender
Height: 6-5
Weight: 203 lbs.
Born: 08/22/1993
Birthplace: Dallas, TX

Orange County SC Signs 2017 Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Giovanni Ramos-Godoy

IRVINE, Calif. (March 12, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of UC Irvine senior and 2017 Big West Conference Offensive Player of the year, forward Giovanni Godoy. Godoy was named to the All-Big West Conference, First Team for his outstanding 2017 performance in the league scoring 13 goals, four of which were game-winning. The 22-year-old Watsonville, CA native was 1 of 60 NCAA Division I men’s soccer players to be invited to the 2018 MLS adidas Player Combine.

“Giovanni is a player that I got familiar with this past college season locally at UC Irvine. He was rewarded with his solid season with an invite to the MLS combine.,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “Godoy came into our preseason from day one with a fantastic attitude and work ethic. He is an extremely intelligent player that I have been very impressed with this preseason."

Godoy played club soccer with Santa Cruz Breakers and was ranked 92nd on Top Drawer Soccer’s list of 150 recruits in 2013, 5th in the Northern California region. In 2013 he played for SCU Bakersfield recording 2 goals, including 1 game-winner and assisted in 2 other goals. He transferred to UCI during his junior year tying the team lead with 3 goals and 1 game-winner, adding 2 assist. He joins Orange County SC after completing preseason training camp.

Giovanni Ramos-Godoy
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 162 lbs.
Born: 04/15/1995
Birthplace: Watsonville, CA

Jamaican International Michael Seaton Signs with Orange County SC

IRVINE, Calif. (March 12, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of striker Michael Seaton just before the Home Opener on March 17. Seaton, 21, has over 4 years’ experience with Major League Soccer, having played for D.C. United and Portland Timbers. He has made over 67 appearances and scored 15 goals in his professional career.

“Michael is a player that is going to be a handful in this league. He is a strong powerful player that will cause problems for many defense,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He gives us the ability to stretch our opponents with his pace and will give us the much needed ability to score goals up top."

Seaton joins Orange County SC from Maccabi Ahi Nazreth Football Club of the Liga Lemuit. He spent the last two years playing in the Liga Leumit League with Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayi F.C. and Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. (on loan from Hapoel Ramat Gan) of the Israeli Premier League.

“I am glad to be here,” said Seaton. “There have been a lot of ups and downs that have not been in my control, but I am grateful that this organization believes in me to get the job done moving forward.”

IRVINE, Calif. (March 12, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of striker Michael Seaton just before the Home Opener on March 17. Seaton, 21, has over 4 years’ experience with Major League Soccer, having played for D.C. United and Portland Timbers. He has made over 67 appearances and scored 15 goals in his professional career.

“Michael is a player that is going to be a handful in this league. He is a strong powerful player that will cause problems for many defense,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He gives us the ability to stretch our opponents with his pace and will give us the much needed ability to score goals up top.”

Seaton joins Orange County SC from Maccabi Ahi Nazreth Football Club of the Liga Lemuit. He spent the last two years playing in the Liga Leumit League with Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayi F.C. and Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. (on loan from Hapoel Ramat Gan) of the Israeli Premier League.

“I am glad to be here,” said Seaton. “There have been a lot of ups and downs that have not been in my control, but I am grateful that this organization believes in me to get the job done moving forward.”

Seaton made his MLS debut when he was just 17 years old, when he came on as a substitute for DC United against Philadelphia Union. He went on to make another 4 appearances for the club before he enjoyed a loan spell in the USL, with Richmond Kickers in March 2013, where he scored 8 goals from 23 appearances. Following his time with DC United, he moved to Portland Timbers before making the transition to Israel.

At age 17, Seaton received his first senior Jamaica national team call up versus Trinidad & Tobago on November 15, 2013 and scored his first senior international goal versus St. Lucia on March 5, 2014, he recorded his second international goal against Serbia, in 2014. His most recent appearance for the National Team was last October against Saudi Arabia.

Photo Credit: Portland Timbers

– ### –

Michael Seaton
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs.
Born: 05/01/1996
Birthplace: Spanish Town, Jamaica

Orange County SC Signs 2017 USL Fans Choice Goal of the Year Winner Nansel Selbol

IRVINE, Calif. (March 8, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of Nigerian winger, Nansel Selbol. The 20-year-old striker joins Orange County SC from Swope Park Rangers where he spent two seasons, making 55 appearances and tallying 10 goals and 4 assissts in total for the club. He had a standout season for the club in 2017, scoring 9 goals and recording 2 assists during the season, including his sensational strike against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on July 20 which won him the 2017 USL Fans’ Choice Goal of the Year award. He also claimed the USL Goal of the Month award three times with spectacular goals in June, July and August.

“Nansel is an exciting, dynamic player that will add another dimension to our front line with his creativity and speed,” said Orange County SC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He played a big part in the success of Swope Park the last couple of years. He has the ability to beat defenders off the dribble and create goals for not only himself, but his teammates as well.”

Born and raised in Jos, Nigeria, Selbol has helped lead Swope Park Rangers to back to back USL Cup Finals agisnt New York Red Bulls II and last season against Louisville City FC. Selbol has also played for the Sporting Kansas City first team when in 2016 he scored the game winner against Central FC in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Prior to moving to Kansas City in 2014, Selbol played for C.O.D. United FC, Plateau United FC and Pawas Soccer Academy. He joined the Swope Park Rangers from Sportking KC’s Academy, where he lead the U-18 team with 10 goals in just 8 games, and was quickly elevated to the Swope Park Rangers. Selbol has also been recognized on the international stage, having represented the Nigeria U17 national team 5 times, recording one goal.

Nansel Selbol
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Weight: 140 lbs.
Born: 05/31/1997
Birthplace: Jos, Nigeria

Photo Credit: Swope Park Rangers

Orange County SC Sign Trinidad and Tobago U-20 International Noah Powder

IRVINE, Calif. (February 27, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of Trinidadian and Tobago U-20 international, Noah Powder for the upcoming season today. Powder, 19 joins Orange County SC from New York Red Bulls II, where he began his career with the Red Bulls U-18 Academy before making the transition to their USL side.

“Noah is an exciting young player with a bright future. He already has quite a bit of experience in the league despite being 19,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “I’m looking forward to working with him and helping him continue his development.”

The Maplewood, New Jersey native signed his first professional contract with New York Red Bulls II on July 14, 2017. Powder made his professional debut on March 26, 2016 against Toronto FC and played an integral role in the side that went on to be crowned USL Champions that year. He made a total of 28 appearances for Red Bulls II over a two-year spell. Despite being only 19 years old he already has USL Playoff experience having played in the quarter-final match against Orlando City B and in the semi-final match vs. Rochester Rhinos in 2016.

Powder is eligible to play for the US National Team through birth, or for Trinidad and Tobago through his father, who was born in Tobago. In 2015, he captained the Trinidad and Tobago national U-17 team when he appeared in the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championships in Honduras where he started all five matches and scored two goals. He was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national U-20 team in 2016 and has since made 8 appearances for the U-20s and remains eligible.

Photo Credit: New York Red Bulls II

– ### –

Noah Powder
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150 lbs.
Born: 10/27/1998
Birthplace: Maplewood, NJ

Orange County SC to Host Las Vegas Lights FC in Final Preseason Match

IRVINE, Calif. (February 28, 2018) – Orange County Soccer Club will host Las Vegas Lights FC at Championship Soccer Stadium on Friday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m. for the final preseason match of 2018. The match is open to the public, and Orange County SC fans will have the chance to get a first look at Las Vegas Light FC’s newest addition Freddy Adu.

Orange County SC kicks off the season with two matches at home. The club’s Home Opener takes place on Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 PM at Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park against Phoenix Rising FC. On Saturday, March 24 Orange County SC plays host to Sacramento FC at 7:00 PM for T-Shirt Night. Fans may purchase tickets online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or by calling (949) 647-GOAL.

Las Vegas Lights FC, the newest member of the United Soccer League, will kick off its season on the road at Fresno FC on March 17. The club plays its home opener at Cashman Field against Reno 1868 FC.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB

Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.

Media Contact: Kelly Salmieri: Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships and Public Relations, kelly@https://www.orangecountysoccer.com, 805.844.0856

– ### –

Greek Super League Defender Kontor Owusu-Ansah Signs with Orange County SC

IRVINE, Calif. (February 26, 2018) – 24-year-old international defender Kontor Owusu-Ansah signs with Orange County Soccer Club, the team announced today, pending P1, league and federation approval. Owusu-Ansah joins the club from Larissa F.C. of the Greek Super League, the highest division in Greece. Prior to his time in Greece he spent six seasons in the Serbian SuperLiga with, Metalac Gornji Milanovac (“Metalac GM) and FK Novi Pazar.

“I’m very excited to have added an exceptional young talent like Kontor. He comes with a great deal of experience having played against teams such as Olympiakos and Panathinaikos in this past year,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “Kontor is an extremely athletic player with great technical ability. He will be an exciting player for the Orange County fans this season.”

Owusu-Ansah made his professional debut with Metalac GM in the 2011-12 Serbian Cup match against FK Srem on September 20, 2011. He would make his league debut for the club 4 days later in round 6 against FK BSK Borca. Owusu-Ansah remained with the club through 2015, appearing 85 times, before signing with FK Novi Pazar in 2015. In July 2016, Kontor signed with AEL (Larisa F.C.) of the Greek Super League and went on to make 19 appearances in Greece’s top division, competing against some of the best teams in Europe.

Kontor Owusu-Ansah
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Weight: 161 lbs.
Born: 8/24/1993
Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana

Home

Orange County SC Newsletter