The following set of questions was sent to Colin Shutler, all responses are per verbatim unless otherwise annotated.
To best paint the career of OCSC’s most capped goalie, the most appropriate place to start would be with his first foray into professional soccer. Colin performed well in his college years at the University of Virginia and was selected by FC Dallas in the MLS Superdraft in 2021, whereupon he went on loan to FC Dallas affiliate club, North Texas SC.
Matthew Adams: What was it like to get drafted by FC Dallas in the MLS Superdraft? How much of a goal was it to be drafted coming out of college, and specifically a length of time spent in between the sticks at the University of Virginia?
Colin Shutler: The draft for my class happened during covid lockdowns—it was a surreal time. Most kids who play in college hope to hear their name called in the draft. At UVA I was surrounded by guys that I knew were going to be successful at the professional level, and we all pushed each other every time we were on the field. But when it came to draft day, I couldn’t really believe it when I saw my name on the screen and I got the phone call from FC Dallas.
It is amazing to hear that he was able to have the all-encompassing draft-experience that is so heavily publicized in other American sports. In his subsequent season with North Texas SC, he played 10 matches within the USL League 1 and had a great set of performances but was unfortunately not retained by FC Dallas. He was subsequently acquired by OCSC as a free agent in March 2022. When questioned about what drew him to the Champ and OCSC, he had the following to say:
MA: In March of 2022 you signed with OCSC. What aspects of OCSC drew you to the club?
CS: I was very lucky that OCSC took a chance on me after having an offseason of being injured, coming out of FC Dallas/North Texas. I had never lived on the west coast and I was really drawn to the weather and the beaches. I grew up having to be prepared for rain or cold weather, and playing on artificial turf was a given. The conditions here in southern California and especially at the Champ are so ideal for living and playing soccer.
In spite of being in a completely new environment, Colin performed well throughout his first season with the club. When asked, here are his highlights and first impressions of the Champ.
MA: What were the highlights from your first season with the club? What were your first impressions of the Champ and the County Line Coalition?
CS: My biggest highlight of my first season here with OC was my debut against my hometown club, Loudoun, saving a penalty and receiving man of the match in a 3-1 win. I remember going over to the County Line Coalition after the game and sharing the excitement with all of the fans in the corner. It’s really great knowing that I am going to have the CLC right behind me for half of the game. While I really am focused on the field during games, the chants and songs make me chuckle. So many stadiums are just made up of cold metal bleachers, but the Champ feels different—it feels more like a team’s home rather than just a place to play. When I first saw the Champ, I was looking forward to playing my first game there in the smaller, more engaging and integrated environment with fans.
Its surprising that his debut was against his hometown club of Loudon. What a wonderful way to start his OCSC career in that penalty save and match of the match performance. His interactions with the County Line Coalition added to one of OCSC’s most impact debuts. Yet another first for Colin was the first time he was awarded the Captain’s armband. Captains are traditionally outfield players, so being bestowed the Captain’s armband was a testament to his professionalism and belief that the club has in his leadership and performance. His reaction to captaining OCSC for the first time is as follows:
MA: What was it like to Captain OCSC for the first time?
CS: I have always prided myself on trying to lead by example for every team that I have been a part of, whether I am wearing the captain’s band or not. Wearing the OCSC armband for the first time was an honor, knowing that my efforts and commitment to the success of this team were seen and appreciated.
Prior to the 2024 season, Colin’s squad number was No. 20, and this is his response to being awarded the all-important No. 1 last year:
MA: How did it feel to be given the No.1 before the 2024 season?
CS: This might come as a surprise, but the No.1 jersey was actually not the top of my list—growing up there was always a different number that I chose, even as a goalkeeper. That being said, I knew that having the No.1 jersey is an honor and I was appreciative of achieving that here at OC.
Within the 2024 season, Colin played the most matches of any season of his professional career up unto this point. His efforts were crucial and the backbone of many a good OCSC performance and the late playoff push. The following is how he would categories his 2024 season:
MA: Your 2024 season saw you play the most matches of any previous season. A late playoff push, which you contributed to massively, saw OCSC claw their way up the table to grab onto some of the final playoff spots for the postseason. How would you summarize your performances last season?
CS: Last season was a rollercoaster, as all seasons are, for myself and the team. Scoring my first goal of my professional career was an experience that I could never have foreseen. The rest of the season, including knocks, soreness, and playing a game with covid (we didn’t know until after I played), feels like a blur at this point. I felt that I was able to catch my stride again late in the season with the reinforcements from injuries, and I am looking to start this season the way I finished it last year.
As part of that 2024 playoff drive that OCSC was on, Colin’s efforts were acknowledged by being voted the USLC player of the month for September. When asked about how this compares to the host of his personal achievements, it's great to see that playing alongside his brother in college still stands out to him.
MA: Where does being voted as USLC’s player of the month for September 2024 rank in your personal set of achievements?
CS: I have not really thought about ranking all of my achievements. I have a bunch of accolades from college that I keep close to heart because I was able to achieve them with my brother as my teammate. I do rank being USLC’s player of the month high on my list because it reflects the incredible team that we had—to not be scored on for almost two full months is very high on my team achievements.
As we begin to look toward the 2025 season, OCSC will be within three different competitions for the first time. It provides many more opportunities for him and the club to show their quality and hopefully add to the trophy case this season. When asked which competition he would prefer to win the most he said:
MA: OCSC and the USLC are entering into the Jägermeister Cup this year. That means that OCSC will be competing for 3 different trophies for the first time in club history. If you had to select a competition to win (USL Championship, US Open Cup or Jägermeister Cup), which one would it be and why?
CS: I’m really glad the league is providing more opportunities for teams to showcase their successes. If I had to choose only one, I think winning the USL Championship would be the most meaningful to me because it showcases a team’s ability to be strong throughout a full season.
Outside of club objectives and goals, which are obviously to be competitive for the league, and make deep runs in both the US Open Cup and the Jägermeister Cup, Colin has a set of personal goals that he would like to achieve. His response is entirely what we’ve come to expect from our highly motivated, and excellent goalie:
MA: What are your personal goals for this season?
CS: This season, I want to compete for the USLC golden glove as well as compete for most shutouts in the league again. Both of these goals are team achievements and I believe with the new faces in the locker room, they are very attainable. It goes without saying that I want to win the league this year and bring it back to the Champ again.
Outside of soccer, as life does exist for our players off the pitch, southern california is a very different environment to Colin. He’s been here for a few years now, so it was brilliant to hear his opinions on what he enjoys about our piece of paradise:
MA: Irvine, California is a bit different from your home of Middleburg, Virginia. What unique parts of Southern California have you explored/discovered since you moved out here?
CS: I have visited a lot of the beaches around the area. I also enjoyed going to a concert at FivePoint Amphitheatre with my parents. I like hiking and exploring and have gone on a couple of hikes but have not been able to go on tons because of our practice and game schedule and my hesitance of seeing a snake. Another unique experience that I loved was seeing Cirque Du Soleil and experiencing the show they put on. Lastly, I have to mention the amazing golf courses around here. Again, I wish I was able to play much more than I do but I enjoy every new golf course that I play and would love any suggestions from long-term locals as well.
The final question we posed to Colin is what he would have told himself upon his arrival at OCSC a few years ago.
MA: As you enter your fourth season with the club, what piece of advice would you give to yourself the day you signed for us back in March of 2022?
CS: I would tell myself to trust the process. I know it sounds cliché, but I have very high expectations for myself and sometimes do not see the realistic side of situations and goals that I am trying to achieve. I know that if I put my work and commitment into what I want most, and not worry about the variables that I cannot control, things will fall into place. There have been many moving parts within the years that I have been here but there has always been the same goal.
Through his detailed responses, it's clear that Colin is well spoken and a consummate professional. In his young career so far, it is clear that the move to OCSC was a masterstroke. He was picked up as a relatively unknown and untried professional goalie, but has turned himself into a league-renowned No. 1 who has consistently been in the hunt for the golden glove. We’re all hoping that he’ll be able to make good on his personal and club goals for this season. We will be there to back him and the OCSC squad up as they look set to start the season in the coming weeks.