2016 Orange County Blues FC season
| 2016 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Mansouri Family | |||
| Head Coach | Oliver Wyss | |||
| Stadium | Anteater Stadium | |||
| USL | Conference: 8th Overall: 15th | |||
| USL Playoffs | Quarterfinals | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | Second | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Trevin Caesar (10) All: Trevin Caesar (10) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 1,010 | |||
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The 2016 Orange County Blues FC season was the club's seventh season of existence, and their seventh season playing in the third tier of American soccer, USL.
Unlike the previous season, the Blues weren't as dominant in their conference, losing five more games, and only qualifying for the USL Playoffs as the eighth seed over the Portland Timbers 2 via goal difference.[1] In the first round, the Blues had an upset over the first seeded Sacramento Republic FC, winning off of penalties,[2] but ultimately fell to eventual finalists Swope Park Rangers in added extra time 2–1.[3]
This season would be a season of lasts for the Blues. At the end of the season, the Mansouri Family sold the team to James Keston,[4][5] who would rebrand the team to their current name, Orange County Soccer Club.[6][7] Additionally, he would move the team from Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC Irvine to their own stadium, Championship Soccer Stadium.[8][9][10]
Roster
- As of July 3, 2024[11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Competitions
United Soccer League
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Vancouver Whitecaps 2 | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 45 | Conference Playoffs |
| 7 | Oklahoma City Energy | 30 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 43 | |
| 8 | Orange County Blues | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 39 | 41 | −2 | 40 | |
| 9 | Portland Timbers 2 | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 38 | 42 | −4 | 40 | |
| 10 | San Antonio FC | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 38 |
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL, the Blues entered the U.S. Open Cup in the second round, matched up away against amateur club L.A. Wolves FC of the USASA.[12] After losing 2–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in open play, the Blues' loss marked the third time in a row the Blues lost to an amateur club in the U.S. Open Cup.[13]
| May 18 Second Round | L.A. Wolves FC (USASA) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Orange County Blues FC (USL) | Wilmington, California |
| 8:00 PM PDT | Sánchez 72' | Report | Howe 77' | Stadium: Phineas Banning High School Referee: Vincent Apple-Chiarella |
References
- ^ "Summary - USL Championship - USA - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Orange County Blues FC at Sacramento Republic FC - 2016 Playoffs". www.uslchampionship.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Orange County Blues FC at Swope Park Rangers - 2016 Playoffs". www.uslchampionship.com. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Register, Orange County Register | Orange County (September 8, 2016). "Irvine-based soccer team changes ownership". Orange County Register. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Blues Purchased by Southern California Businessman Keston". Orange County SC. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ USLSoccer com Staff (January 20, 2017). "Orange County Soccer Club Reveals New Name, Logo". USL Championship. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Calhoun, Damian (January 20, 2017). "Orange County Blues FC gets new name and logo". 100 Percent Soccer. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Mueller, Mark (July 25, 2017). "OC Soccer's Reboot". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Bruning, Jon (August 15, 2017). "Orange County SC is on the Rise". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ [email protected], CHRIS HOCKMAN- (August 17, 2017). "New Stadium puts Orange County on Map". USL Championship. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Roster". USL. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "2016 US Open Cup: Round 1 draw, Round 2 scenarios unveiled for 103rd tournament". thecup.us. April 7, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "2016 US Open Cup Round 2: LA Wolves hand Orange County Blues 3rd straight loss to amateur team". thecup.us. May 22, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2024.