Tim Woodcock Brings His Teams To LA Galaxy Orange County
There is a real significant shift in youth soccer — clubs are aligning with MLS teams all over the country. Youth soccer clubs gain many benefits when they become part of the MLS world — and in the highly competitive realm of Southern California youth soccer, this edge can be significant.
Updated Article: The landscape of youth soccer in America is constantly in flux. The movement of elite youth soccer clubs aligning under U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy and MLS clubs is clear.
The latest youth soccer club to join the ‘greater’ MLS family is the highly respected competitive teams currently playing as Irvine Slammers FC and the recreational teams formerly playing in the USA junior Soccer Leagues will now become LA Galaxy Orange County this January 2017.
“I want to thank Walid, Ziad and the Slammers FC for the last 4 years — being part of their soccer family allowed us to grow and be successful,” says Woodcock.
Tim Woodcock’s license agreement with Slammers FC is coming to its conclusion and the Irvine Slammers will continue to exist managed directly under Walid and Ziad Khoury.
Woodcock, an ‘A’ licensed professional soccer coach who previously worked at Derby County in England and has played in England and the USA, truly understands the value of being with a pro club.
Woodcock says he was honored to announce a partnership that will change the face of youth soccer in Orange County. The club joins forces with the #1 rated Major League Soccer club in the United States – LA Galaxy and have become LA Galaxy Orange County.
“The LA Galaxy chose us — they came to us,” says Woodcock who is very proud to bring 2,500+ youth soccer players into the world of the MLS. “This is a massive honor. We were not looking, they recognized the value in our competitive teams, recreational leagues, level of coaching staff and club philosophy — that is what makes this even better.”
“I also want to thank our highly talented coaching staff who are dedicated to the development of our youth players — they have all done a great job, and now it is going to be even more exiting,” says Woodcock.
The transition to becoming the exclusive Alliance club in Orange County will begin soon — the partnership will become fully effective by January 1, 2017.
“There is a real shift in youth soccer and aligning with an MLS club makes sense. Who better than the #1 MLS club in the nation? The LA Galaxy is well known in the community and globally,” says Woodcock.
Zach Wells, a former MLS goalkeeper and now the Galaxy’s Manager of Brand Development and Fan Management says, “Tim Woodcock and his staff are a good fit for our LA Galaxy Alliance Club Program and we are pleased to announce LA Galaxy Orange County. We now have our 5 LA Galaxy Alliance Clubs strategically placed in the program and now we will focus on improving the program’s offerings.”
“It is a privilege to wear their jerseys,” says Woodcock. “We now have a clear pathway for all players and coaches.”
This union will provide our players with opportunities for advancement that were previously non-existent. “The trickle down effect from working with the LA Galaxy — taking advantage of their cutting edge knowledge will help us fast track our players and help them be the best they can be,” says Woodcock.
From college to U.S. National Team scouts — Woodcock believes this new partnership will improve visibility for his players, and while those invited to participate in the fully funded LA Galaxy U.S. Development Academy Program (Boys and Girls) are from many youth soccer clubs, there is no doubt that coming from an alliance club offers perceived perks.
Woodcock’s goal is to be the pinnacle of youth soccer clubs in Orange County and strongly believes that this joint player-centric focus will provide the optimum opportunity for Orange County’s youth soccer players.
It is becoming well known that U.S. Soccer is currently behind a nationwide initiative to provide a clear pathway and consistency in development for soccer players to achieve their goals. With the help of Jovan Kirovski, Technical Director of the LA Galaxy, the MLS club has a defined process to support this. Woodcock wants to offer these advantages to his dedicated players and coaches and is proud to become an LA Galaxy Academy Alliance Club and work with Galaxy’s Zach Wells.
For more information, READ the LA Galaxy’s announcement.
Article Updated on 11.4.16 to clarify any confusion regarding the Irvine Slammers and the LA Galaxy.
