OC Blues find winning formula on an off the field

The results so far have been anything but blue for the Orange County Blues Football Club.

One of 24 teams in the United Soccer League, a Division III professional men’s soccer league in the United States Soccer Federation, the Blues had won three of their first four matches heading into Friday’s contest against the Seattle Sounders 2.

“I think people want to see an exciting team to be a part of it,” said Coach Oliver Wyss, whose squad had outscored opponents, 8-3, through the first four contests. “By producing and developing a winning team that plays with a lot of respect and has a big impact in the community, it’s a true home run and that’s what we’re working on.”

Originally based in Los Angeles, the Blues underwent a rebranding process in 2014 that saw the squad move to Orange County to become the only professional soccer organization in the area.

“As it relates to the USL, we (the Blues) actually own the territory of Orange County,” said Tom Payne, former president of business operations for the Los Angeles Galaxy and a current consultant for the Blues. “For us to not make this our home, it didn’t make a lot of sense.”

Payne hopes for the Blues to become the premier event within the Irvine community on game nights. The team is attracting about 1,500 fans per match at UC Irvine’s Anteater Stadium, its home field.

“If you come to our game you’ll see kids running around, you’ll see a bounce house, you’ll see face-painting, you’ll see all kinds of ways we can interact with kids, and we do look at that as our sort of niche,” said Payne.

Single seats inside UC Irvine’s stadium cost $15, and there are group rates for larger parties, such as the team members from area youth soccer leagues who populate much of the stands on game day.

The Blues showcase a roster of diverse backgrounds and cultures, which has become a trademark for the world’s most popular sport.

“The beauty of soccer is that it’s the ultimate international language,” Wyss explained. “Between the coaching staff and the players, we have 16 different nations (representing us).”

The organization hopes to sustain long-term success in Orange County, which is difficult to do in a league that ultimately serves as a stepping stone for players in their professional careers.

The USL serves as one of the development leagues for Major League Soccer, a common future path for several participants.

Dutch midfielder Denzel Slager, formerly of England’s Coventry City, believes the Blues have offered him a great opportunity to hone his skills before he takes his next step.

“It’s a club without pressure,” Slager said. “You actually see several players from Europe making the step to the MLS here.”

To sustain long-term success, Wyss believes the team can follow a European structure to help the squad overcome the rapid turnover rate. The European structure consists of having a youth team work directly under the professional squad, so players are being developed to contribute right away when they come of age.

In the meantime, several current players, including forward Chris Cortez, stay focused on winning a title in 2015.

“As a team we’re looking to win the championship,” Cortez said. “Day to day, what can we do as a team? What can we improve? What can we correct? How can we address our next opponent? And how can we get a win week in, week out.”

To Cortez, a Mission Viejo native, winning a championship would also help demonstrate to the youthful fan base in Orange County that they ultimately can make it to pursue legitimate soccer careers.

To further help children realize their dreams, Cortez and the rest of the Blues’ squad participates in several philanthropic endeavors to give back to several surrounding communities.

The Blues work with the Orange County’s Gang Reduction Intervention Program (G.R.I.P.), Pure Game, a Santa Ana based non-profit, and Soccer For Hope, Wyss’ own philanthropic organization to provide role models and guidance for under privileged youth.

“I think as a human being you should want to give back, and you should want to give back not because you get something in return, you should do it naturally because it’s the right thing to do,” Wyss said.