IRVINE, Calif. (FEBRUARY 25, 2020) – Orange County SC announced today the signing of defender Nathan Smith pending league and federation approval. Smith spent the 2019 season with the Timbers 2 in the USL Championship.

"I'm very happy that Nathan is joining us for the 2020 season.” said OCSC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “He is a player that can equally play on either side of the field. His versatility will be a huge asset for our team this season.”

Smith 24, played youth soccer in the LA Galaxy Youth Academy and attended UCLA from 2013-2015 where he earned Honorable All-Pac-12 honors in his sophomore and junior seasons. In 2016 he joined the LA Galaxy II in the USL Championship and in 2017 he split time between the LA Galaxy in the MLS and Galaxy II where the made 12 appearances and 9 starts in MLS league play. Smith spent 2018 and 2019 with the Portland Timbers 2.

“I’m grateful to be joining a prestigious club with such a talented group of guys,” said Nathan Smith. “I look forward to be playing again in front of my family and the fans in SoCal.”

Smith has over 20 appearances with the U.S. U-20 National Team. In 2011 he competed in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and later helped the team to the 2011 U-17 CONCACAF Championship, where he scored the game-winning goal in the final against Canada.

“We are delighted to add Nathan, a first class professional to our roster,” said Oliver Wyss President of Soccer Operations. “He is an experienced player and will be a great addition to our backline.”  

Smith is eligible to make his OCSC debut when the club opens the season at home on Friday, March, 6th. 

Per club policy, terms of player contracts with Orange County SC will not be released.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB

Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest-growing Division II professional soccer league in the world.  The USL is comprised of 35 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County. 

In December 2019, Orange County SC entered into a strategic partnership with Rangers FC from the Scottish Premier League.

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: http://www.orangecountysoccer.com.  For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.