Orange County Blues FC gets new name and logo

The Orange County Blues FC has been rebranded as the Orange County Soccer Club, it was announced Friday.

The club also unveiled a new logo which was developed with fan input.

“In selecting a name and logo, I wanted the primary focus to be on

Orange County Soccer Club

Orange County Soccer Club

Orange County,” Owner James Keston said. “Where most teams in Orange County in the past have shied away from having the OC be a part of their logo, we really wanted to embrace it and make it a focal point. We wanted to give fans something that readily identifies the club as Orange County’s team.”

The logo was designed by branding company Art Machine. The club hosted a series of events with fans to give their input on design options.

The club plays in the USL.

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Steven Gerrard returns to Liverpool to begin coaching career

Former Liverpool and Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard, 36, will transition into coaching.

He will take on a full-time coaching position with the Liverpool Academy. Gerrard will assist in the professional development phase of the players. Gerrard will begin his new role next month. gerrard

The new role will provide Gerrard with the opportunity to enhance his coaching skills and development under the stewardship of Alex Inglethorpe.

“It feels like completing the circle,” Gerrard said. “Returning to the place where professionally it all began. However, this isn’t a decision based on emotion, it’s about what I can offer and contribute to Liverpool.

“I don’t think I need to explain to people what this football club means to me, but when I knew coming back was a serious option I wanted to make sure it was a substantive role and a role in which I could really help the organization.”

Gerrard spent 17 years with Liverpool after graduating from the Academy.

 

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Landon Donovan: I will be playing soccer in 2017

Former Galaxy great Landon Donovan isn’t ready to head into retirement just yet. Or is he?

On the United States of Soccer show with Jason Davis, Donovan Landonlegendsaid he will be playing in 2017, he’s just not sure yet.

“I will be playing soccer in 2017,” Donovan told Davis. “I don’t know if it will be in a rec league on Sundays or on a big national field in front of a lot of people.”

Recently, Donovan has been linked with a move to Real Salt Lake.

Donovan, 34, ended his brief retirement following the 2014 MLS Cup in September, joining the Galaxy for the end of the season.

 

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Galaxy adds Portuguese midfielder to roster

The Galaxy continued to strengthen its midfield today, adding 23-year Portuguese midfielder Joao Pedro.

Pedro, who’s full name is Joao Pedro Almeida Machado, played with Vitoria Guimaraes of Portugal’s first division. He was added to the Galaxy as a Special Discovery Player through Target Allocation Money. JP

Pedro will occupy an international roster spot and will officially join the Galaxy pending the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.

“He’s an extremely talented midfielder who has experience playing at a high level in Portugal,” Galaxy general manager Peter Vagenas said. “He is only 23 years old and has the best years of his career front of him.

“We identified him as a top target this off-season and we think he can immediately help strengthen our midfield.”

Pedro has been with Vitoria Guimaraes since 2005.

 

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100 Percent Soccer column: Galaxy finally signs Jermaine Jones, while Bruce Arena makes play for USMNT stability after turmoil

jones Galaxy guy: Jermaine Jones, seen here avoiding the media at the USMNT camp at StubHub Center, officially signed Wednesday with LA.

Read more about Jones signing with the Galaxy and Bruce Arena taking control of the USMNT program in this week’s 100 Percent Soccer column.

Staff Writer Damian Calhoun has more on the Jones signing here.

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Galaxy signs Sebastian Lletget to contract extension

The Galaxy announced Wednesday that they’ve signed midfielder Sebastian Lletget to a contract extension. Terms of the deal weren’t released.

Lletget, 24, was one of the club’s standouts in midfield last year, making 31 appearances. He scored five goals with nine assists in all competitions.

Lletget joined the Galaxy in 2015. He’s currently in camp with the U.S. Men’s National team.

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Former Galaxy player Herculez Gomez retires from MLS

Herculez Gomez, who led lead the Galaxy to the 2005 MLS and U.S. Open Cup, announced his retirement Tuesday.

Landover, MD - May 30, 2012 - FedExField: Herculez Gomez (9) of the US Men's National Soccer Team during an international friendly match (Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Landover, MD – May 30, 2012 – FedExField: Herculez Gomez (9) of the US Men’s National Soccer Team during an international friendly match
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Gomez was with the Seattle Sounders last year, receiving his third MLS Cup title. His future will lead him to ESPN as a soccer studio analyst.

Gomez was also with the Galaxy for the 2002 MLS Cup.

Gomez will work on ESPN FC as well as studio analyst for the network’s coverage of MLS,U.S. Men’s National Team, and other international soccer competitions. On ESPN Deportes, he will appear on signature soccer studio programs Fuera de Juego and Futbol Picante.

He will debut today on ESPN FC.

Gomez played with five MLS teams: Galaxy (2002-06), Colorado (2007-08), Kansas City Wizards (2008-09), Toronto FC (2015) and the Sounders (2016). He also played with Puebla, Pachuca, Estudiantes Tecos, Santos Laguna and Tijuana in Liga MX.

 

 

 

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Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe added to U.S. Soccer camp

U.S. Soccer has announced that Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe has been added as a replacement for injured Seattle keeper Stefan Frei.

Frei suffered a right ankle sprain.ussoccerlogo

Rowe made 31 appearances last season, posting a 12-5-14 record with nine clean sheets for the Galaxy.

He joins David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) and Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) as the keepers for the January camp.

The U.S. faces Serbia Jan. 29 in San Diego followed by Jamaica in Tennessee, Feb. 3

 

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Galaxy sign Homegrown Player Hugo Arellano

The Galaxy announced the signing of Galaxy II defender Hugo Arellano as a Homegrown Player, Friday.

Arellano, who is a product of the LA Galaxy Academy, is 18 years-old. He made eight appearances for Los Dos last year after signing his professional contract with the club in galaxyJuly.

“Hugo is a young, talented defender who we have seen develop as a member of our Academy and LA Galaxy II,” Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo said. “In addition to his time with Los Dos, he is highly regarded at the youth international level and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow both on and off the field as a member of the Galaxy.”

Arellano is from Norwalk and becomes the sixth Galaxy Homegrown Player on the first team roster, joining Gyasi Zardes, Jose Villarreal, Raul Mendiola, Bradford Jamieson IV and Jack McBean

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