USL Orange County SC

What Champions Are Made Of: Community Built, Impact Driven

Published on May 25, 2022 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) have partnered with soccer impact brand PARK to create meaningful social and environmental impact.

Playing home games at the 5,500-seat Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, rapid sporting growth has been complemented with strong relationships within the community. This is reflected in OCSC's ongoing collaboration with local non-profit, Tiyya Foundation (Tiyya).

Providing economic and educational opportunities for families of refugees, immigrants, and indigenous communities, Tiyya creates a community that fosters the development of self-sufficiency.

"The importance of using soccer for good is one we believe strongly in," emphasizes Dan Rutstein, SVP International Projects at OCSC.

Football as a vehicle for change is why OCSC have partnered with PARK - the impact football brand for people and the planet - on a unique capsule that Park founder Sam Davy believes celebrates the power of football and community.

"Orange County's existing work in the community was a big cornerstone of this partnership. For so many, soccer provides a place to grow, learn and connect. This capsule encompasses all of that, and will also build on the good work already being done!"

With iconic OCSC colors, the capsule consists of a tee, cap and socks so you can rep Orange County anywhere you go! There is also a carbon negative PARK soccer ball in the collection, locking away 5kg of CO2e - more than the amount of carbon emitted during the manufacturing process.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the capsule also represents a partnership with PARK's Pass-a-ball Program.

Through this capsule, every ball sold will see another get passed to a kid that needs it within Tiyya's extraordinary community. Executive Director, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, believes that this capsule will give kids more than a ball, but a place to belong.

"A lot of refugee youth don't have open green spaces to play. They're kicking the soccer ball inside their apartments or in back alleys. It's really nice to give them not just an open field to play, but a community to which they can belong.

"The children and adults who stop by the field are from different countries - Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Honduras and Somalia among others. But soccer, a game played in more than 200 countries around the world, brings not only the youth together, but the parents as well - particularly the women. The specially branded balls will serve as a continuous reminder and keepsake of the comradery and soccer community our youth are so grateful to be a part of"

Ultimately, Dan Rutstein believes that this partnership is a statement.

"This is a chance for us and our fans to send the message that soccer in Orange County is for everyone."

A statement that football can change the world.

Check out the Orange County SC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 25, 2022


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.

OurSports Central