Michael Orozco is expected to play Thursday in an international friendly against his old team. (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
Michael Orozco is back home and eager to help his newest team, the Orange County Soccer Club as it makes a push for the USL Championship playoffs.
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Orozco, who played soccer at Magnolia High School and was born and raised in Anaheim, was introduced at halftime of the OC Soccer Club’s match with the Portland Timber Saturday night at the Championship Soccer Stadium at the Great Park.
“It’s just great to be back home getting this opportunity to be a part of the Orange County Soccer Club and having a professional soccer team here is obviously something great for me and for all the Mexican Americans,” he said in an interview at halftime with OC Sports Zone.
“And (it shows) all the people here in Orange County that there is an opportunity that we have to explore it and we’ve got to believe in Orange County and to be honest, I’m ready to put in work and get this championship going.”
Orozco, 33, is a veteran U.S. Men’s National Team defender and Liga MX standout. He spent the last 12 seasons with Liga MX but is now ready to help the OC Soccer Club, which was in 12th place in the Western Conference entering Saturday’s match with Portland, which Portland won 2-0.
“I always like to help out the young guys and the veterans,” Orozco said. “I like to win games and I like to win championships so obviously I’m going to put in my work in on and off the field to help the team win and the first game I come in I’m going to try to come in and make a difference.”
Orozco said he played soccer for Magnolia High School, where he graduated from in 2003, and also played for the Irvine Strikers and for a local Santa Ana soccer club.
“Being part of the National Team is always great, it was always honor to be a part of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. “I’ve been in Mexico for 15 years and it’s always great that people acknowledge that all the hard work and that hard work pays off and put that into practice here in Orange County, which is something great and it is the next level in my life and chapter in my soccer career.”
Orozco said he has goals for the rest of the season.
“We want to crank it up a little bit where we can make playoffs,” he said. “We’re right there on the border and we want to get that championship. That’s the mentality we have and I’m going to add a little piece to it and help them reach our goals, which is a championship.”
Orozco, who was presented a No. 6 OCSC jersey, received a warm greeting from the fans and team officials indicated they are excited about his arrival.
“It’s a massive step for us,” said Oliver Wyss, president of soccer operations for OCSC. “First of all, Michael emphasizes everything that Orange County Soccer Club stands for, a local guy who had an incredible careeer but at a young age had to go to Mexico and made it all the way through Liga MX and into the National Team.
“Well now that pathway can be done through Orange County Soccer Club. Now, players like him at age 15 or 16 don’t need to go down to Mexico, they need to learn the trade here, get to play at home in front of family and friends and develop in a professional environment and then when they go onto Mexico or Europe, they will be ready to stay.
“Bringing Michael back he wil help us hopefully accomplish our goal of getting a USL championship, but also shows he’s a leader who will have a significant impact on the field and also off the field….”
Wyss said he expects that Orozco will be a role model for many young players in Orange County.
Orozco’s signing is pending league approval, team officials said and his debut is expected to be Thursday in an international friendly against one of his former teams, Club Tijuana, also known as the Tijuana Xolos. at 7 p.m. at Championship Stadium.
“That’s going to be up to the head coach (Braeden Cloutier),” Wyss said. “We’re expecting pretty much a full house and adding Michael to it that will give us an extra push in filling it up.”
Orozco said he’s looking forward to the match against the team he played for since 2015.
“Hopefully we have a great environment for everybody and get that win,” he said. “We have to give 110 percent for all the fans and my family and everybody here supporting us.”
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-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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