OCSC has been a playoff fixture the past five years, finishing first in the Western Conference twice and advancing to the conference finals once. But with some exciting new additions from overseas, a reunion with a former goal-scoring hero and a renewed determination to succeed, the goals for 2020 are as high as ever: To capture the franchise’s first USL Cup.

“The biggest thing is, the last two years, we’ve learned a lot,” Cloutier said. “The goal is to win a championship and that message is sent out on Day 1. We need to do our best from Day 1, set the tone, and everyone, from top to bottom, the goal is to win a championship. That message is definitely going to come across.”

The team will take the field for preseason practices and games with a bit of a new look this season. The team entered a partnership this offseason with the Rangers FC of the Scottish League, and a handful of Rangers players and coaches will integrate with returning OCSC veterans – no fewer than 13 players on the 2019 team had re-signed for 2020 as of last Friday – will be part of the roster going forward.

“We have the same first class coaching staff a year more experienced and the return of our core players along with our talented youth internationals that we expect to contribute this season. On top of that, we will add multiple talented [Rangers] and experienced players, including Thomas Evenoldsen, our leading goal scorer two years ago,” said President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss. “This is a very exciting time and I’m very much looking forward to starting preseason and seeing our team evolve in the next few weeks into one that our fans can be proud of on opening night!”

Training camp will last 10 days before OCSC begins playing a set of eight exhibition games in February in advance of the regular-season opener Friday, March 6 against El Paso Locomotive FC at Great Park. The first three games will be against MLS teams, Colorado Rapids, NYCFC and Chicago Fire.

OCSC will play four exhibitions at home, beginning with their match against the Fire on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at noon at Great Park.

Other home matches include the University of San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 15, Galaxy II of the USL on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. and Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Las Vegas.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE:

Feb 1 vs Colorado Rapids @ Cal St Fullerton 10am kickoff

Feb 4 vs NYCFC @ Cal St Long Beach 1pm kickoff

Feb 8 vs LMU @ LMU 11am kickoff

Feb 12 vs Chicago Fire @ Great Park 12pm kickoff

Feb 15 vs USD @ Great Park 11:30am kickoff

Feb 22 vs Cal St Fullerton @ CS Fullerton 10:30am kickoff

Feb 25 vs LA Galaxy II @ Great Park 11:30am kickoff

Feb 28 vs Las Vegas Lights FC @ Great Park 7pm kickoff