IRVINE, CA (OCTOBER 18, 2023) - Orange County Soccer Club has officially launched its investment program, offering fans from around the world the chance to play a role in the future of U.S. soccer development, in one of the most desirable areas of California with the largest youth soccer market in the country.
In a first for an American soccer club, the investment opportunity will target fans in the United States and across Europe.
Orange County SC, the 2021 USL Champions, is renowned for its extraordinary record in player development and its ‘Pathway to Europe,’ which has resulted in the transfer of six young American players to major European teams in the past three years.
By becoming an equity investor, soccer fans will become stakeholders in a club with a trailblazing approach to developing domestic talent among the youth of Southern California’s 24 million people.
Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the investment round via Republic, with tiered bonus perks including exclusive owner’s merchandise, dinners and golf with the OCSC squad, and five-year pitchside Season Tickets.
“Orange County Soccer Club is one of the few significant grassroots success stories in US Soccer over the past decade,” says club owner James Keston. “Our club has achieved each and every one of the goals we set out eight years ago, and we have done so while competing with billionaire-owned MLS teams with 25 times our budget and operating in the talent-rich OC market alongside some of the most powerful youth soccer clubs in the United States.
“We are truly unique, a unicorn, a US soccer team built from scratch a decade ago to become a global player development powerhouse with a devoted local fanbase.”
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OCSC REPUBLIC UNITED STATES INVESTMENT PAGE
The European investment, which will go live soon, will be hosted by renowned equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs, who hosted AFC Wimbledon’s fundraise, among a number of others.
Fans of OCSC’s partner clubs — reigning Dutch champions Feyenoord and Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers — will have a unique opportunity to own part of a club while contributing to the growth and success of grassroots American soccer.
For an investment of as little as $100, fans will receive a certificate of ownership, a shareable social media graphic, and an exclusive owner’s pin. Bonus perks incrementally increase up to the $25,000 dollar level, which includes a five-year President Club season ticket, a private dinner with the manager and a player, a round of golf with a player, and a personalized exclusive owners’ kit. Investors in Europe will get slightly different perks, which don’t involve access at the Stadium.
“Last week, we signed a ten-year deal to remain at our below Championship Soccer Stadium, securing the club’s future. And now it is time for the next stage of the club’s growth,” said Dan Rutstein, President of Business Relations.
“I’ve proudly been an owner of AFC Wimbledon for a number of years now, an investment made through the Seedrs platform, and I understand what owning even a tiny percentage of a club can mean.
“This opportunity allows fans all over the world to own their slice of our unique club with its community feel and global reach, to own a slice of the growth of soccer in America, and to own a slice of the team playing in orange in one of the most idyllic parts of the world. Who wouldn’t want their chance to own a piece of a club like ours?”
New owners will have a parade on the field before the start of the home playoff game on October 21st. Championship Soccer Stadium will host OCSC’s first-round Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff game against El Paso Locomotive at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available here.
OCSC has pioneered the model of creating opportunities for young players to move directly to Europe, breaking the mold of traditional college or MLS routes, and has formed strategic partnerships with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers and reigning Dutch champions Feyenoord as part of its dedication to its trailblazing ‘Pro Player Pathway.’
Nineteen-year-old forward Korede Osundina completed his transfer to Feyenoord in August, while teenage U.S. international Kobi Henry shattered the USL Championship transfer record in June 2022 with his move to French top-flight side Stade de Reims. Last month, reigning USL Championship Golden Boot Milan Iloski followed in the footsteps of Orange County SC players who have continued their professional development with a major European team with his move to Danish Europa League hopefuls Nordsjaelland.
In 2023, OCSC experienced its most sellout crowds in club history at the 5,500-capacity Championship Soccer Stadium. With 17 regular season wins and a second-place finish, the club has secured a home playoff as it seeks its second USL Championship title in three seasons.
About Orange County Soccer Club
Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) is Orange County’s only professional soccer team and a founding member of the United Soccer League (USL). It was purchased by Club owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, in 2017. OCSC, which plays its home games at the 5,500-seat Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA, won its first USL Championship title in 2021. OCSC is dedicated to being the leader in professional player development in the United States, providing a pathway to professional soccer and to the top leagues around the world.
OCSC, alongside its sister organization, the 501c3 Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation, is committed to creating a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information, visit orangecountysoccer.com and uslsoccer.com.
Orange County SC Media Contact
Ryan Bailey, Red Knot Communications: ryan@redknotcomms.com
