Patrick McLain Signs With Orange County SC
USL Soccer News: Orange County SC has signed goalkeeper Patrick McLain for the remainder of the 2019 United Soccer League (USL) season.
McLain, 30, arrives following a three-year stint with the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer (MLS). McLain made five appearances for the club, which included a clean sheet against D.C. United.
“We have been very patient and selective this offseason when filling out our roster,” said Braeden Cloutier, OCSC head coach. “Our patience has paid off with the signing of Patrick. He is a top-quality keeper and professional that will be a huge asset for our club both on the field and mentoring our very talented young goalkeepers.”
The 6’3″ goalkeeper played his collegiate career at California Poly San Luis Obispo. During his junior year at SLO, McLain earned a second-successive All-Big West second-team nod after leading all conference goalkeepers with a program-record .835 save percentage and ranking second with 5.46 saves per match.
McLain signed his first professional contract with Chivas USA in 2012. He then went on to represent Orange County Blues FC (now Orange County SC), where he made fifteen appearances. In 2015, he joined league rivals Sacramento Republic FC and firmly established himself as one of the standout goalkeepers in the USL Championship. He was named to the USL Team of the Week on one occasion during his stint in Sacramento.
“We are delighted to add Patrick to our talented roster,” said Oliver Wyss, OCSC General Manager. “He is a fierce competitor, proven winner and we are convinced that his leadership and class will have a significant impact on the club on and off the field.”
Following his performances in the USL Championship with Sacramento, he returned to the MLS with Chicago Fire in 2016. He spent the next three years with the Chicago Fire and Minnesota United.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Orange County Soccer Club for the remainder of the 2019 season,” said McLain. “I’m massively impressed with the strides the club has taken in the last five years and give a lot of credit to those involved with making OCSC what it has become today. My goal is to positively affect the trajectory of the season and to help Orange County to its first USL Championship Cup.”
The Wisconsin native made his debut last Saturday in a 2-0 loss to El Paso Locomotive FC.
