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DATE: April 8, 2017
KICKOFF: 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Providence Park, Portland, OR
FORECAST: Scattered Showers (High-49°/ Low-38°)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson
ARS: Cephas Quartson, Billy Baldwin
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Ian Miller
LIVE-STREAM: http://www.uslsoccer.com/portlandtimbers2-orangecountysc-905469

Orange County SC continues the 2017 USL season on Saturday
as they travel north to face Portland Timbers 2, affiliated with
Portland Timbers of MLS. Saturday’s match will be the first of two
matches between the clubs this season, with the teams meeting
again in July at the Orange County Great Park.
Orange County SC heads to Portland after a 4-0 loss to  Sacramento Republic FC. The team’s attacking offense boasts Carlos Alvarez, Jerry Van Ewijk and Duke Lacroix, all of whom have a combined 16 shots in the last two matches. In addition to the offensive attack, the defensive wall, led by veteran Beto Navarro, looks to mimic their first week effort, where they earned a shutout on the road in Reno.
Saturday’s match will be the second-home match for Portland
Timbers 2, who head into Saturdays clash with an 0-3 record, on
the back of a 2-1 loss to Cascadian rivals Seattle Sounders II.

IRVINE, Calif. (April 7, 2017) – Orange County Soccer Club is delighted to announce the signing of Cape Verde International Wuilito Fernandes. Fernandes joins the club following his time at UMass Lowell where he was voted 2016 American East Conference Striker of the Year and was subsequently picked up by FC Dallas in this year’s SuperDraft.

Fernandes, 27 was born in Praia, Cape Verde however he pursued a soccer career in the United States initially with the New York Red Bulls where he was invited for a trial in 2010. He was then picked up by UMass Lowell where he went on to win numerous honors. As a freshman he made 12 starts and was named to the American East All-Rookie Team. In 2014 & 2015 he was named in the America East All-Conference First Team and in 2016 was listed in the NSCAA First Team All-America along with America East Conference Striker of the Year. During his time with the River Hawks he scored a total of 25 goals and assisted 10.

In 2017 he became the first UMass Lowell product to be drafted at the MLS SuperDraft, where he was recruited by FC Dallas. Following his time with Dallas he was called up for International duty with Cape Verde, making his debut for his national side against Luxembourg.

At 6ft tall and 180lbs the powerful forward will bring a physical presence to Orange County’s front line and is eligible to make his debut this Saturday against Portland Timbers 2.

 

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  Established in 2013, the predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semifinals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County. 

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club and to become an Orange County Founding Member, visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com. 

Contact:

Kelly Salmieri:  VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://www.orangecountysoccer.com, 805.844.0856

Height: 5-7 Weight: 150

Date of Birth: 3/1/1997

Hometown: Santa Ana, California

Last Club: LA Galaxy Academy

 

Q1: How old were you when you started playing soccer?

Ami: “Four years old. I was always around soccer, and my dad was a soccer player himself. My family was always at the park playing.”

Q2: What was the best advise you’ve received from a coach/mentor?

Ami: “My dad always tells me never to get comfortable where I’m at. You always have to work hard to become better.”

Q3: What do you listen to before a game?

Ami: “I listen to rap, and sometimes Reggaetón.”

Q4: What is something you do during training that’s a key to your success?

Ami: “I think pushing myself. When I’m tired in practice, and know I’m tired, I have to keep pushing because when I get to that point during the game, I’ll know that I can push through it and keep going.”

Q5: If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase?

Ami: “I’d get a house for my parents. I think that’s any Hispanic soccer player’s answer to that question.”

Q6: Do you model your game after an existing player?

Ami: “I’ve always looked up to smaller players like Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala. I like those guys who are really good with the ball and I try to emulate what they do.”

Q7: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

Ami: “After I have a good match, like I did in the Real Monarchs pre-season match this year, I try not to wash anything before the next match.”

Q8: What is your favorite memory on the soccer field?

Ami: “My first championship with my club team. We were a super small club and nobody really knew about us. After that, everyone was talking about the Fullerton Rangers.”

Q9: Besides soccer, what are your favorite hobbies?

Ami: “I love playing FIFA with my family. My family is very competitive and there are always plenty of tournaments going on.”

Q10: What is your ultimate goal in professional soccer?

Ami: “Obviously to get a Division I contract, whether it be the MLS, or another league in Europe.”

 

IRVINE, Calif. (January 11, 2017) – The Orange County Blues Football Club has finalized their coaching staff for the 2017-2018 today. Logan Pause will lead the Orange County club after a successful 14-year professional career with the Chicago Fire as a team captain, coach and Vice President. GM and Executive Vice President, Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss made the announcement this afternoon. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to welcome Logan to the organization. We went through an exhaustive search over the last couple of months to identify a head coach who not only could succeed in the USL but also understands the importance of developing talented professional soccer players within Orange County and for our partner club LAFC,” Wyss said. “We feel that Logan is the prototype of what we were looking for based on his experience, passion, work ethic and commitment to the community. I’m excited to begin working with him and the entire staff on building an elite organization that is committed to setting a new standard for the USL.”

During his tenure with the Fire, Pause spent 12 years with the Fire as a defensive midfielder and served one year as club Vice President. Pause was named head coach of the Chicago Fire’s PDL team while maintaining his first team duties as assistant coach.
“It is with great joy and honor that me and my family are joining the Orange County Blues FC organization,” said new Head Coach, Logan Pause. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and confidence Mr. Keston and Oliver have given me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime project and a perfect fit for me and my family. I also want to thank Andrew Hauptman and the entire Chicago Fire community for our time together and their support in my career growth. My staff and I look forward to putting together a team that makes our fans and community proud.”
Returning to this year’s coaching staff will be First Assistant, Braeden Cloutier, who will continue to be an integral part of the organization.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY BLUES FC:
The Orange County Blues FC is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team. The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season. The Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semifinals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County. Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County. Keston is currently working on a complete rebranding of the team with a new name, colors, and crest driven by significant fan input.
For more information about Orange County Blues FC and become an Orange County Founding Member, visit: uslorangecounty.com.

Contact:
Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@ocbluesfc.com, 805.844.0856