The Orange County Soccer Club went into the 2020 season with high hopes, but was quickly forced to adjust after the opening game of the season.
“We were very excited about the season,” OCSC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Oliver Wyss said. “Then after one game, everything changed.”
The USL season was shut down March 12 due the coronavirus pandemic. It restarted in July and OCSC would eventually finish in third place in Group B, narrowly missing the playoffs.
“Every year you want to win a championship and compete for the championship, but we didn’t do that and everybody would say they’re disappointed in the results.” Wyss said. “But as an organization, I’m pleased with how the staff managed a safe environment for the players to conclude the season.”
“Our roster wasn’t deep enough, when we started playing three games a week.”
OCSC, under the direction of third-year coach Braeden Cloutier, officially opened training camp Monday in preparation for the 2021 season. It has been a busy offseason, but one Wyss believes has made the club deeper.
OCSC has proved its pathway to becoming a professional works. Francis Jacobs, 16, has received interest from European clubs, Wyss expects Kobi Henry, 16, to contribute this year along with another 16-year-old Raymond Drai. Toward the end of last season, OCSC transferred 18-year-old goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes to Rangers FC in Scotland.
“Our future for player development is looking very bright,” Wyss said.
As for the roster makeover, it has been thorough.
“We’re recruiting players from all over the world,” Wyss said. “Our goal is to have two players at each position, a veteran and a young player who is ready to compete.”
OCSC has added defender Brent Richards (Reno 1868); forward Ronaldo Damus, the 2019 USL League One Golden Boot winner (16 goals); midfielder Tommy McCabe, who spent last season with FC Cincinnati (MLS); goalkeeper Abraham Romero (Galaxy II), who comes from Galaxy II; and midfielder Chris Wehan, who scored seven goals with five assists last season with New Mexico United.
The club has also added forward Eero Markkanen, 29, from the Finnish Premier League, goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky (Germany) and midfielder Mikko Kuningas (Finland).
“It was very clear that going into this year, we had to address making our roster deeper,” Wyss said. “Coming off of last season where we came up short, we started looking at every aspect of the organization. We want to compete and have an opportunity to win a championship.”
The 2021 USL Championship season will begin between April 24 and May 15. OCSC will compete in the Pacific Division with Galaxy II, Las Vegas Lights FC, Oakland Roots SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Sacramento Republic FC, San Diego Loyal SC and Tacoma Defiance.
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