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USL Orange County SC

Richard Chaplow Named Orange County Sc's Permanent Head Coach

November 9, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Orange County SC announced that Richard Chaplow will be the club's permanent head coach moving forward after being in the interim role since mid-August. Chaplow was first elevated to the interim position after former head coach Braeden Cloutier was relieved of his duties. Effective immediately, Chaplow will be the seventh head coach in club history.

"We have been very impressed with Richard's leadership and professionalism since taking over as interim coach," President of Soccer Operations, Oliver Wyss said. "Richard has been a true winner throughout his entire playing career, and I am convinced he will continue his successful ways as our head coach. Richard is fully aligned with the goals and expectations of our club and we are looking forward to seeing him lead our team for years to come."

Under Chaplow, OCSC went 8-3-2 boosting their overall record to 15-10-7 in the 2021 USL Championship regular season which resulted in a second place finish in the Pacific Division that allowed OCSC to host a home playoff game in the 2021 USL Championship Playoff.

"I am honored to be named head coach of Orange County SC and would like to thank the management for the faith they have shown in me," Richard Chaplow said. "Having grown with the club over the years I understand the expectations and I am excited to lead us forward. My staff and I will do everything we can to put a team on the field that Orange County can be proud of."

Chaplow and his staff guided OCSC to the midseason turnaround beginning with a come-from-behind road win in San Diego and ending the regular season on a five-match winning streak while going undefeated at home in six of seven matches. OCSC continued their current run of form into the playoffs by defeating Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine in the Western Conference Quarterfinal on Saturday, November 6.

Before being promoted to interim head coach, Chaplow was OCSC's first assistant coach since the 2019 USL Championship regular season following his retirement as a player. This was Chaplow's third season as a coach and sixth overall with OCSC.

The former central midfielder from Accrington, England, arrived in Orange County during the 2016 USL season, a year before OC Blues FC rebranded to OCSC. In three seasons, Chaplow made 57 appearances across all competitions and scored four goals along with four assists. He captained OCSC to the Western Conference regular season title during the 2018 USL season before hanging up the cleats after a 16-year professional playing career.

Prior to playing for OCSC, Chaplow played 13 years in the top flights of English football notably with Burnley, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton. Chaplow helped the 2011-2012 Southampton squad gain promotion to the Premier League after a seven-year absence. Throughout his extensive playing career across two countries, Chaplow made 400-plus appearances scoring 36 goals and adding 23 assists. He represented the England U-19, U-20 and U-21 men's national teams in international competitions.

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