How American soccer players found a path to Europe, via Orange County SC

Ethan Zubak played just 341 minutes for Nashville SC over the last two MLS seasons, so it was no surprise the team declined his contract option this winter. Maybe Europe.” And for American soccer players, it’s easier to get to Europe from Orange County than just about anywhere else. So these players, they’re excited to come here rather than reluctant to come here.” That certainly describes Zubak and Cameron Dunbar, a former teammate who played 21 MLS games with the Galaxy and Minnesota United before coming to Orange County on loan last summer. When I was at the Galaxy, when I was at Minnesota, it was always in an effort to get over there.” “Orange County,” he continued, “has been great at developing those young players, players really trying to blossom in their early career, and send them on their journey.” The latest player to be sent on his journey followed a path very similar to the one Zubak and Dunbar have trod, signing with an MLS club as a homegrown player, but playing sparingly with the first team before having his contract option declined. Before that, Orange County sent two players from its 2021 national championship team to Europe, selling defender Kobi Henry to French club Reims and forward Ronaldo Dumas to GIF Sundsvall, a second-tier team in Sweden.