IRVINE, Calif. — When the Orange County Soccer Club learned that the city of Irvine might find a new tenant for its stadium, the leadership mobilized fans.
They showed up Tuesday to support their club and make it clear they wanted the Championship Stadium at the Great Park to stay in local hands.
The city council decided to push the agenda item concerning a potential deal with the LA Galaxy which would likely result in use by a minor league team.
“It’s been incredibly heartwarming to us as a club. It’s validation of our value as a club,” said Dan Rutstein, interim club president of business operations for OC Soccer Club. “We’ve been amazed by the support we’ve had.”
The city also pushed discussions of potentially converting the field to artificial turf.
A possible difference, should the lease change hands, would be the amount of days set aside for professional soccer. The current deal includes 40 days for the professional teams that use the stadium, allowing 80 days of access for community groups. A potential deal with LA Galaxy could open up a total of 118 days of access for community groups.
Rutstein, and the fans mobilized the team to attend the meeting, want the OC Soccer Club to keep its home. Rutstein worries the city might be willing to ink an exclusive deal with LA Galaxy which would force the team out. He wants it to remain open for use, so some of the smaller pro clubs currently using it can also stay.
A cross section of fans, including parents with children, approached during public comments to speak in favor of the team remaining in the stadium. The crowd in attendance responded after each plea with heavy applause.
The city council has not announced an interest in ousting the OC Soccer Club, but Rutstein said the team has struggled to get the city back to the negotiating table. Fans spoke about the value of the team as well as to the community, with one commenter even saying she felt it was a uniquely safe place for LGBTQ fans to watch a game.
The Irvine City Council meets again Aug. 23.
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