IRVINE, Calif. (September 4, 2018) – With Orange County Soccer Club enjoying a historic season on the pitch, already breaking franchise records in wins and points, the club is excited to announce the creation of its new Bar Network Program. Partnering with local bars, pubs and restaurants will help enhance soccer culture in Southern California, as well as add value to Orange County SC’s pro soccer fanbase and extend the virtual footprint beyond the walls of the club’s home stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.



“We really wanted to give our great fans places to gather for Orange County SC matches,” Orange County SC Owner & President James A. Keston. “With this network of bar partners, our supporter groups can continue to grow and we think this will only help broaden and deepen our relationship with the community.”



For home matches, partners will host pre-match meetups for fans. When Orange County SC is on the road, partners will host watch parties with matches streamed via ESPN+ on the ESPN App. Exclusive food and beverage offers will be available during select times to supporters wearing Orange County SC gear or presenting their tickets on the day of a home match. Staff and player appearances as well as giveaways and other surprises are in the works as well, so fans won’t want to miss out.



One historic Irvine restaurant is already onboard. Serving delicious burgers in Orange County since 1957, Knowlwood Restaurants has officially signed on as the Bar Network Program’s first partner. Its Irvine location recently added 17 draft beers at its Irvine location, conveniently situated on the edge of the Orange County Great Park and right off of the 5 Freeway at Sand Canyon.



“Partnering with Knowlwood Restaurants, especially as our first partner, is a perfect fit for everyone,” said Keston. “We were already enamored with the Knowlwood staff, and you can’t beat the proximity to the Orange County Great Park and our new stadium. Not only that, Knowlwood’s vision for the enhanced environment that its team is creating is so fun to see come to fruition and exactly the type of place that we know soccer fans will love to congregate prior to our games or when we’re traveling around the country.”



A kickoff event at Knowlwood Irvine will take place on Saturday, September 8th prior to Orange County SC’s next home match against OKC Energy FC. Arrive between 4pm and kickoff at 7pm to enjoy a special menu designed specifically for Orange County SC fans.



"When Orange County Soccer Club approached us with their new Bar Network Program, we were thrilled,” said Knowlwood General Manager Jeremy Fields. “The timing of this partnership couldn’t be better, as we've been adding new draft beers, live music and specials that we look forward to sharing with Orange County SC fans. As a fixture in Old Town Irvine for decades, we've taken pride in being a gathering spot for the community… and now we’re excited to support the local community’s passion for soccer."



For more information on the Orange County SC Bar Network Program, please visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/barnetwork . Tickets to Orange County SC home matches are available online, or by calling 949-647-GOAL.



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ABOUT KNOWLWOOD RESTAURANTS



Knowlwood Restaurants began serving burgers along Imperial Highway from a roadside farm stand, among orange groves. Now serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Anaheim Hills—the original Orange County farm stand location—and Old Town Irvine—a National Historical Place and blacksmith shop from the early 1900s. Serving the World's Best® Burgers, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, frisco burgers, 17 draft beers, wine, sandwiches, salads, tacos, kid's meals, breakfast, irish nachos, and milkshakes made by hand. Great place for kids and parties with games, sports TVs, open spaces, and large outdoor patios with picnic tables. For more information about Knowlwood Restaurants, visit: http://knowlwoodrestaurants.com/ .



ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB



Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.



For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: http://www.orangecountysoccer.com . For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com .