Braeden Cloutier Signed Long Term Contract Extension with Orange County Soccer Club
The right coach makes all the difference … and it always great when team ownership, management, and head coach all intrinsically share the same values.
Sometimes things just make sense. After a historic season and a first-place finish in the USL Western Conference, Orange County SC has just signed its head coach Braeden Cloutier to a multi-year contract extension.
Related Soccer News: ORANGE COUNTY SC RISE TO THE TOP OF USL WESTERN CONFERENCE
With 25 years plus experience in the game of soccer and a positive, no-nonsense demeanor that inspires players, Cloutier’s leadership has proven essential to the club as it has established itself as a perennial contender in the USL.
A player’s coach, Cloutier’s passion — besides winning — is developing talent and Orange County SC has become a prime destination for talented youth players seeking a future as a professional soccer player.
“We are delighted that Braeden has signed a multi-year contract extension,” said General Manager and Executive Vice President Oliver Wyss.
“Braeden is a proven winner who leads by example with his hard work and dedication to the club and its players.”
“He has established a championship mentality in the locker room and we are excited to see him build on the momentum he has established with this year’s historic season, including winning the regular season Western Conference,” said Wyss. “Braeden is fully aligned with the goals of the organization to compete at a championship level while developing young talents that our fans and the entire Southern California soccer community are excited about.”
“Our culture is focused on providing an extremely competitive environment for our players and a winning attitude within our organization,” said James Keston, USL’s Orange County SC Owner & President. “Our motto is ‘relentless and ruthless.’”
Under Cloutier’s leadership, Orange County SC has reached a number of historic milestones this season, including its first-ever home playoff game.
2018 will be Cloutier’s third playoffs as a coach with the club, after his first two appearances in 2015 and 2016 as an assistant coach for OCSC’s predecessor club the Orange County Blues.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to build upon what we have created here in Orange County this season,” said Braeden Cloutier. “I want to thank James and Oliver for their belief in me and the commitment that they have shown to me with this new contract.”
“Orange County is my home and I want to continue to grow this organization, this special community and its young talented players for years to come,” said Cloutier.
Related Soccer News: A REAL AMERICAN PATHWAY TO PRO SOCCER AT USL’S ORANGE COUNTY SC
Cloutier started his professional playing career in Germany with powerhouse Hamburger SV where he spent 2 years. He then returned to the USA to play indoor soccer and in 1997 was drafted by the New York Metro Stars.
After he hung up his professional cleats in 2005, Cloutier became the head coach of PDL side Orange County Blue Star, where he was responsible for the development of current MLS stars Kei Kamara and Sacha Kljestan. Cloutier continues his efforts at developing top youth talent who are seeking a professional soccer career in Southern California and ultimately professional clubs around the globe.
Orange County SC is one of the 12 founding members of the USL, joining in its inaugural 2011 season.
Come to Watch the Action: Orange County SC will play its 2018 playoff home opener on Saturday, October 20th at the Great Park Championship Stadium in Irvine. Click for Tickets.
