August 12, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Defender. USMNT legend. Captain. Michael Orozco has a new title to add to his illustrious career as he is recognized as the new Orange County Soccer Club all-time leader in starts, appearances, and minutes played against Phoenix Rising FC on Friday, August 12 at home at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA.
Heading into the match against Phoenix, Orozco has appeared for OCSC 89 times, all of them starts, totaling 8,020 minutes played. This recently surpassed the current club record held by former OCSC and current Phoenix Rising FC midfielder, Aodhan Quinn (84 appearances, 83 starts, 7,454 minutes played).
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to sincerely congratulate Michael for this milestone accomplishment,” President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “Michael is a champion, a first class professional and a great role model for our younger players. His leadership and competitiveness have elevated our team from the first day he joined us to come home and play for Orange County. I am convinced Michael will continue to inspire his teammates and our fans and on & off the field as he edges closer to 100 appearances for us.”
The Orange, CA native is currently in his fourth season with OCSC. Orozco has started in every match he has appeared in this season. Last season, he started in every match all the way through the USL Championship Final and only missed less than 15 minutes of gametime.
At 35 years old, the image of Orozco lifting the USL Championship Cup high amidst the confetti wearing the colors of his county will forever be implanted in the minds of OCSC and local soccer supporters.
Orozco also made 29 caps at the senior level for the United States Men’s National Team, scoring an important goal to lead the USMNT to a 1-0 victory over Mexico on August 15, 2012. It still stands as the only game-winning goal ever scored by an American male at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
What sticks out among all the numbers and accolades are the intangibles. His leadership and dedication to OCSC and the Orange County community cannot be overstated. He takes younger members of the squad under his wing and passes along his knowledge of the game to the next generation, as a youth soccer coach in Orange County.
Orozco has long been a fan favorite of OCSC supporters. His dedication to his teammates, the club, and the community are what make him so integral…
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