Former UPSL Player Ethan Loomis (OCFC & Houston Dynamo Academy) Signs Pro Deal with Orange County SC
After winning a UPSL National Championship and competing for two UPSL Premier Division seasons with Houston Dynamo Academy, California-native Ethan Loomis has signed his first professional contract with Orange County SC in the USL Championship.
Earlier this year, the player was recently named captain of the Orange County SC second team and has now signed a pro Academy deal which allows him to remain with the club and still make first-team appearances until his first full professional deal.
“That season we won the National Championship with OCFC in the UPSL was very tough and prepared me a lot for the road ahead. We competed against LAFC Academy and LA Galaxy, and a lot of current and former pros. Playing in the UPSL gave me the experience of playing against men at a high level.”
After winning the Spring 2024 UPSL National Finals, Loomis quickly took part in trials at LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, joining the latter for the next two seasons. It was at the Dynamo that Loomis was able to improve his game and make connections with coaches at the pro level.
“It was hard leaving everything behind but being a part of an MLS club helped me get to the next level. That Houston Dynamo team was very strong and in our second season we made the National Round of 32. After Houston Dynamo, I got connected with Orange County SC who invited me out to trials, and then preseason with them.”
“The UPSL helped me a lot, I started playing in UPSL at 15/16 years old against men who were stronger and faster, honestly a lot better than me. I would really recommend playing UPSL for anyone looking to go pro to play at a young age. Whenever I would play against people in my own age groups in the Academy, we dominated but in UPSL it was always a challenge.”
“My advice to others would be to keep working and working, and don’t compare yourself to other people. You have to focus on taking advantage of the opportunities you have and stay focused on getting better.”
Currently seated in the final playoff spot in the Western Conference of the USL Championship, Orange County SC will have to finish out the season strong to secure their playoff berth this season. With the UPSL Playoffs already under way this weekend, to stay up to date with all the action, visit https://premier.upsl.com/playoffs/
About United Premier Soccer League
The UPSL was formed in 2011 and occupies the unofficial fourth tier of US Soccer. Across its Premier, Division 1, Womens and Academy divisions there are more than 500 teams competing nationwide. The UPSL is now the largest Pro Development League in North America and is a National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated. UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with USSF. More information about UPSL can be found at www.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer). Contact UPSL: [email protected] / Media: [email protected]