IRVINE, Calif. – Former Japanese international Keisuke Honda had been looking for a partner for Soltilo FC, the youth organization originally founded in 2007 that has expanded to more than 65 locations around the world since its inception.

When he arrived to train with the USL’s Orange County SC this past summer ahead of his move to Liga MX’s CF Pachuca, he finally found the fit he and his partners had been looking for.

The partnership was officially unveiled on Friday during a press conference at the USL club’s new Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park, where both sides were excited for what the future would hold for soccer in Southern California.

“I am so excited about soccer in Orange County and about this partnership,” said Honda. “We spent a long time looking for the right partner that shares our values and is committed to the common vision of the power of soccer to help young men and women reach their full potential on and off the field. When I came here this summer to train, I knew we found our perfect match in Orange County SC.”