Nicholas Benalcazar Back for 2026
Published on December 2, 2025 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC is pleased to announce that Nico Benalcazar will be back in Black & Orange for the 2026 season. Since arriving in early 2025, the 24-year-old defender has shown he's a valuable and versatile player. His composure, technical skill, and adaptability make him a key building block for OCSC's future.
Benalcazar joined OCSC after spending time with FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS Next Pro, where he made 24 appearances in 2024. Before that, he spent time with New York City FC, both with their development side and briefly with the first team. Benalcazar played collegiately at Wake Forest for the Demon Deacons.
What stands out about Benalcazar is how comfortably he moves between roles. Though officially listed as a center back, club leadership has praised his ability to operate in midfield when needed, thanks to his composure on the ball and solid technical base.
In the 2025 season with Orange County SC, Benalcazar logged 29 appearances and 2,597 minutes, and he contributed 4 goals from defense.
With Nico, OCSC gets a defender who can play multiple roles, handle pressure on the ball, contribute offensively when needed, and adapt to different tactical setups. As the club continues to build and stabilize, having a multi-tool like Benalcazar gives the coaching staff more options and ensures dependable performances from the back.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 2, 2025
- Switchbacks FC Sign Aidan Rocha to New Contract - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Nicholas Benalcazar Back for 2026 - Orange County SC
- Dream Crazy: Joe Farrell's Legacy of Leadership, Heart, and Inspiration Lives on at Hartford Athletic - Hartford Athletic
- Rowdies Add Veteran Defender Leland Archer for 2026 - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- New Mexico United Announces Open Tryouts Ahead of 2026 USL Championship Season - New Mexico United
- Community Wrap up 2025 - Hartford Athletic
- Indy Eleven Signs Forward Charlie Sharp - Indy Eleven
- Joe Brito Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer - Rhode Island FC
- Latif Blessing Back in the Bluegrass for 2026 USL Championship Campaign - Lexington Sporting Club
- Battery Re-Sign Defender Graham Smith to New Multi-Year Extension - Charleston Battery
- Todd Dunivant to Step Down as President & General Manager of Republic FC at End of Year - Sacramento Republic FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
