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USL Orange County SC

Orange County SC Adds 19-Yer-Old Alex Villanueva to Growing Young Core

March 2, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


IRVINE, CA - Orange County SC has announced the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Alex Villanueva to its squad for the 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Villanueva joins a growing group of OCSC young talents who have been developing and proving themselves at high levels with the club in order to make the move to the next step in their promising careers.

"Orange County is a great club and the right fit because it fits my playing style," Villanueva said. "The coaches' confidence in me to contribute to such an experienced group and their commitment to help me achieve my goals to play on the highest level also played an important part in my decision. I can learn a lot from the staff and players. I'm looking forward to the upcoming season and playing in front of the fans."

The young Villanueva already provides a little over two years of professional experience for head coach Richard Chaplow and his staff's reloaded squad for the new season. Having made his professional debut at 17-years-old during the 2019 USL Championship season, Villanueva continued to make appearances for Tacoma Defiance through last season where he was used mainly as a starter.

On July 23, 2021, Villanueva made his MLS debut with Seattle Sounders FC coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Austin FC. He made one more appearance for the Sounders before returning to Tacoma's starting line-up. In 2021, Villanueva totaled 28 appearances with two goals, one of which came from a direct free-kick, and three assists with Tacoma.

"We are delighted to add Alex, a top young talent to our club," President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. "Alex is an exciting player that we are very familiar with and he will continue to develop in our professional environment. Alex is at an age where he is only starting out in his journey, and we know there is so much more to come."

The young midfielder, who has also played many minutes as a defender, joined the Seattle Sounders FC Academy in 2018 from the Real Salt Lake Academy. He helped steer the Seattle Sounders U17 team to a 2019 Generation adidas Cup victory, becoming the first MLS Academy team to win the Champions Division of the tournament. That same year he signed a USL Academy contract with Tacoma Defiance and made his first five professional appearances.

"Alex is an exciting player for us to add to the roster as he joins us with good knowledge of the league having performed well in it for the past few seasons," Chaplow said. "Alex will bring energy and directness to us in wide areas while providing our attackers with good service, which is always an important ingredient to have in your team. He has a real hunger to improve, and we are looking forward to supporting him as he continues his development."

In 2018, Villanueva featured for the USMNT U17 for the Nike Friendlies where he teamed up with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gio Reyna and FC Augsburg forward Ricardo Pepi. The Southern California native, originally from Lancaster, CA, is set to continue his professional career and development now with OCSC.

With this signing, OCSC adds yet another exceptional talent to its list of players under 20-years-old with professional experience that includes current USMNT U-20 defender Kobi Henry as well as Orange County product and midfielder Francis Jacobs.

Per club policy, terms of player contracts with OCSC will not be released.

Transaction Details:

Transaction: Orange County SC sign Midfielder Alex Villanueva March 2022

Name: Alex Villanueva

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 8"

Weight: 146 lbs

Born: July 9, 2002

Hometown: Lancaster, CA

Previous Club: Tacoma Defiance / Seattle Sounders

Social Media: @alexv05er

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