Michael Orozco waves to the fans at halftime of Saturday’s OCSC match at the Great Park as Oliver Wyss, president of soccer operations and general manager, applauds. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Orange County Soccer Club has signed defender Michael Orozco to a USL Championship contract, pending official league approval.

The announcement was made at halftime of the OC Soccer Club’s match with the Portland Timber Saturday night at the Great Park Soccer Stadium.

Portland scored two goals in the final five minutes to win 2-0. The match was tied 0-0 at halftime.

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Orozco was born and raised in Anaheim and is returning home to play with Orange County’s only professional soccer club. The veteran U.S. Men’s National Team defender and Liga MX standout will immediately bolster the club’s defense, while also providing guidance and mentoring to OCSC’s talented young local players, according to team officials.

“Michael is a fantastic player with a resume that speaks for itself. His international experience and leadership will be invaluable to our team,” said OCSC Coach Braeden Cloutier.

Orozco, 33, joins OCSC following an impressive career with the USMNT and in Mexico, amassing 29 matches with the USMNT and 12 seasons in Liga MX. Orozco is beloved by fans of the U.S. National Team for scoring the winning goal in a 2012 International Friendly vs. Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, the United States only victory on Mexican soil in the history of the cross border rivalry.

“I’ve dreamed of one day being able to establish a foundation for my family, show my kids where my passion started,” said Michael Orozco in a release from the club. “It’s an honor to be able to come back to my hometown and start a new chapter in my life where I can show the new generation that everything is possible and help Orange County SC win its first USL championshp.”

Orozco made his professional debut for San Luis during the Apertura 2006 tournament, when he entered as a second-half substitute against Tigres UANL. Orozco has played the majority of his career in Liga MX and has been under contract with the Tijuana Xolos since 2015.

“Michael is the ultimate professional and we are very proud to bring him back home to Orange County after his stellar career in Mexico,” said OCSC President of Soccer Operations, Oliver Wyss. “Michael will have an immediate impact on the field and he is the perfect role model for the current and next generation of Orange County soccer players that we are developing at our club.”

Per club policy, terms of player contracts with Orange County SC will not be released, according to the release.

-Courtesy OC Soccer Club