To bring this thread back around. Looking at the season the name change and move was decent for the Blues. Not overwhelming results but some positive movement in exposure and attendance. We all know the short comings of the FO over the years but this season there were definitely improvements and some real foundations to build on. I don't feel that UCI is the best and I would rather play at Santa Ana Stadium even with the Turf and Football lines (just better for watching a game live and right next to Downtown). But USL is implementing a "No Football lines rule" for the 2015 season which limits us to Stadiums with a track. Fullerton is the only real option and we would get kicked out on a whim for School events and have to scramble for a place to play.
I think the rebrand definitely helped, but I feel as though they still have a ways to go. It wasn't ALL about the name. They need more local marketing, which they are currently working, and most importantly, they need a competitive team and their own location. I wouldn't mind seeing them make a move to somewhere in Anaheim, or like County Coalition said, somewhere in downtown Santa Ana, which is known as the downtown of Orange County. They just need to create more of a buzz and create some rivalries. Hopefully Galaxy II and Sacramento can emerge as some. But, most of all, they rarely make the playoffs and don't realy have an exciting team. I hope these are things they work on in the future because I'm glad to finally see Orange County have their own team, even though it is third division.
Really? Interesting. Wonder what Dayton is going to do, then (unless the answer is "Move to Cincinnati.").
I would venture a guess the name had virtually nothing to do with it. They have money. They are clueless about how to run a club. They had a youth administrator as their general manager. They have never had anyone with any professional experience heading up an actual front office that made an actual attempt to sell, market and connect to its community. It's not because they don't have the resources to (if they really spent $800k the first year). It's because they have chosen not to deploy those resources. And now that other teams have cropped up around them, they can subsist a while longer if they choose to, I guess. But the landscape is changing. These guys are going to get left behind.
When I read today that TFC had acquired a USL Pro franchise, I actually thought they were going to announce TFC bought the Blues to become TFC2. But I don't think thats the case.
There really isn't anywhere to play in Anaheim. Glover Stadium? overrun with homeless though. I've heard rumblings of wanting to build in Great Park in Irvine where the team already trains. Not sure how serious it is though or if it is more my wishful thinking. Something like what Tuscon built would work well there and be cost effective.
Flex Buffchest, Our Supporters group will probably be having meetings in January for the 2015 season. Would love to have you come out. If you are on FB shoot us a message and I'll also add you to the private group page for the Coalition. Really striving to help this club grow despite the FO's short comings. https://www.facebook.com/pages/County-Line-Coalition/183695264994409
They need ANY local marketing. They currently have no marketing at all. Which is no small part of their overall problem. If you don't let people know you exist... no one is going to care you exist.
Also they've started making some good moves by bringing in Tom Payne ex Galaxy Pres. as a consultant. He has started taking on a pretty big role with the club this offseason. Got o 1hr 15m 51s
Well, there has been some lately. I've seen OC Blues flyers and posters at some of the bars in downtown Fullerton and downtown Santa Ana. That's a hell of a lot better than when they were the LA Blues. I saw absolutely nothing, and I live 10 min at most from Cal State Fullerton. Being born and raised in Orange County, I really hope this club sticks it out and finds a way to succeed, but they need to incorporate more of the diehard soccer fans in somehow. Right now, there just isn't a strong enough supporters section. The games I've gone to just seem like a playground with kids running around all over the place. Don't get me wrong, the diehards that are there do a great job, there just isn't enough of them yet. Hopefully that changes. Because you look at teams like Sacramento and Orlando and then you look at the Blues and you realize there is still a lot of work to do. I truly believe OC can support a soccer team, it's just going to be tough when you have a world class organization like LA Galaxy I and II so close to compete with.
I'd love to. I've been an LA Galaxy fan since the late 90s, but I lived my whole life in Orange County, so I'd still love to support my local team. I'll watch or your message!
Oliver Wyss new head coach. I knew I recognized the name. Played for the Splash in the CISL back in the day.
Random. I used to go to Splash and Salsa games back in the day. Not sure what to expect, tbh. Looks like he's been working with youth groups and high school kids since then.
They had a youth administrator as their GM last season, so maybe they're really into that side of it.
Same GM currently. We should be able to put together a rocking U-17 squad. OC Blue Star and Anaheim Splash? Now we just need to find some staff from OC Zodiac and California Surf. Really round out Orange County Soccer history.
There isn't much about them on the internet, but they did play against Bayern Munich in the 60s. Also, here's their Wiki link......http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_County_F.C.
I gotta figure out how to find more on this club. Looks like they tied Bayern as well 3-3. http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1966.html
Yup. I remember hearing a lot about them. I wish the Blues would somehow incorporate the Orange County FC history by maybe a third kit or something. I know it's not much, but OC is low on soccer history and they really were an interesting piece in OC soccer. Californa Surf had some good players and games, but they came and went so fast.
Bayern's website confirms the game and score. https://www.fcbayernmunich.com/en/news/news/2014/bayern-in-the-usa-part-1-1960-1966-1979.php?