Photo courtesy of Orange County SC/Liza Rosales
I am now crying!
Dec. 3, 2020 - Enemy Territory, AZ - Aodhan Quinn is no longer with Orange County SC. That is tough to type, but even more difficult is this next part…. he has signed with Phoenix Rising FC. A staple of the OCSC starting 11 since his arrival to the club from FC Cincinnati in 2018, Quinn has become a fan favorite of County Line Coalition and others that follow the club. He now joins what is arguably the top team in the USL Championship who also are the top rivals to Orange County SC.
After 3 unbelievable years in Orange County I am sad to be leaving. I was treated so well by the club and I really appreciate everything they have done for me. In saying that, I am super excited to be joining one of the top clubs in the league with an opportunity my wife and I couldn’t pass up - Aodhan Quinn
Quinn joined Orange County in 2018, pairing up with another newcomer to the team, Christian Duke, to form one of the best midfield pairings in the then USL. Regardless of their opponent, the schedule, or any other factors that would possibly give coach Braeden Cloutier headaches when filling out the lineup card, the names Quinn and Duke were practically written in permanent ink. Quinn found instant chemistry linking-up with another newcomer in 2018, forward Thomas Enevoldsen, to form the top attacking duo in the league, combining for 31 goals and 23 assists en route to both players nomination for league MVP. and leading Orange County to top of the Western Conference regular season standings. The team came up short that season with a loss to Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference Final, but the future looked bright for Quinn and Orange County.
The 2019 season was a bit of a struggle for both Quinn and Orange County, as departures and injuries hampered the team’s start to the season. Enevoldsen, who lead the team in goals in 2018, departed for Indy Eleven, while midfield partner Christian Duke dealt with injuries that limited his playing time and effectiveness. The loss of Duke for much of the season forced coach Cloutier to change his game plan and play Quinn in more of a defensive holding role. The ever professional, Quinn took on this challenge of playing deeper in the attack, and although some of his stats would say otherwise, he had a successful season, helping Orange County reach the playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference. It was a short lived playoff appearance though as the team would loose to eventual champions Real Monarchs in the first round.
In what would become Quinn’s final season with OC, 2020 saw the return of attacking partner Thomas Enevoldsen to Orange County which had fans excited. But, as with most things in 2020, things didn’t go as planned. After a solid, if not spectacular draw to start the season against El Paso Locomotive, the USL Championship went on hiatus due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. When play resumed for Orange County over 4 months later, the roster was not the same. Enevoldsen, who was penciled in to be the leader of the attacking unit, was in Denmark after the birth of his daughter. The club decided it would be better to allow him the opportunity to stay near his family for the season, which created a hole in the attacking unit that was visible the entire season. Again, Quinn was asked to play a deeper role than he had in 2018, and although he was still very productive, he was rarely able to help an attacking unit that lacked confidence and consistency all season. Orange County just couldn’t score enough goals to get enough wins, and missed out on the playoffs for the first time in his time with the team.
After 3 successful seasons with Orange County, Quinn joins a Phoenix Rising team that has been at the top echelon of teams in the USL Championship over the last 4 seasons, including a finals appearance in 2018 and a 20-match win streak in 2019. It might be a tough pill for Orange County fans to swallow, but they will still get to see one of their favorite players a few times a year when Phoenix comes to town.
Thanks Aodhan Quinn for an amazing 3 year run! You have been an amazing ambassador of soccer in Orange County who has always shown the fans love. You have been amazing to our podcast over the years and we wish you the best in the years to come, except when playing Orange County - Orange & Black SoccerCast