Orange County SC & L.A. Wolves FC Announce Official Affiliation
Orange County SC and L.A. Wolves FC have announced an official partnership committed to providing a pathway to the pros in Southern California.
L.A. Wolves FC is a member of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and competes in the Pro Premier Division Western Conference. The club also manages a reserve squad and oversees L.A. Wolves FC Youth Soccer Program.
Soccer News: Orange County SC (OCSC) (USL) and L.A. Wolves FC (UPSL) have announced an official affiliation focused on player development in Southern California.
L.A. Wolves FC has committed its support to Orange County SC’s player development initiatives in a landmark agreement that grants financial incentives upon future transfer rights for the participating players that sign professional contracts.
The partnership also encourages the investment in elite player development by clubs at all levels of U.S. Soccer, especially in Southern California.
“We are excited to partner with the L.A. Wolves FC as part of our ‘pathway to professional’ model,” said Orange County SC General Manager Oliver Wyss. “There are many talented amateur players in the UPSL that we want to provide the opportunity to be part of the professional environment at Orange County SC.”
L.A. Wolves FC is committed to discovering local talent in Southern California, with the partnership providing an important step in the player development structure.
L.A. Wolves FC players will be scouted and monitored regularly by Orange County SC, and select players will be granted the opportunity to train with the club’s first team.
Orange County SC reached the 2018 USL Western Conference Final but fell to a Phoenix Rising FC side led by Didier Drogba.
Orange County SC is committed to long-term development and presence in Southern California. The club extended contracts of head coach Braeden Cloutier as well as key players that contributed during the 2018 playoff run.
“The L.A. Wolves have produced many top local players over the years,” said L.A. Wolves FC President Yan Skwara.
“We know we have quality players in our system and it’s important we funnel up these players into the pro ranks at the right time,” said Skwara. “
“Many of those players have moved on from the club to sign professional contracts both overseas and domestically,” said Skwara. “Typically the player has had to navigate his way around to create that opportunity on the professional side, but now that process has been simplified. It’s time now that we streamline this process with professional connectivity for our players with this dynamic affiliation agreement with OCSC.”
L.A. Wolves will ultimately provide a pathway to professional soccer for players prepared to take the next step in their career. In addition, players will have the opportunity to remain on the pitch in the UPSL.
“L.A. Wolves FC players will have the opportunity to compete for a professional contract and potentially step into a playing role with OCSC’s first team,” said Skwara. “Similarly, OCSC reserve players will be given opportunities to develop further in the UPSL with L.A. Wolves FC in certain cases and to keep playing time and game conditioning on point.”
“I want to thank both Orange County SC Owner James Keston and General Manager Oliver Wyss for supporting this partnership and we are looking forward to many years of working together,” said Skwara.
“We are here to develop local players that can play at the world stage.”
“We need to really work harder at keeping and training our players right here in our backyard and this affiliation agreement will provide a great path for players who want to play at the next level,” added Skwara.
