Since the early 1970s, the Oakland Soccer Club has given many young soccer players in “The Town” a path to develop their game. On Tuesday, OSC announced the next rung in their development ladder, joining the National Premier Soccer League.
“Oakland Soccer Club has a long history in their community, and we are pleased to welcome them to the NPSL,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “The club had been looking for the right league to top off their successful youth organization, and we are confident that the OSC and the NPSL will be partners for many years to come.”
“OSC is a community club with a long history of serving the community since 1972,” added Oakland Soccer Club Co-President Edward Stephen. “We are attracting some of the best local players, demonstrating that the Oakland area can produce a very talented squad.”
OSC’s long history in Oakland
Since its founding as a youth program, Oakland Soccer developed young players even for families without the financial means typically required in most other Bay Area youth development academies. The club has youth teams in NorCal Premier, Cal North, and the Jack London Youth Soccer League. The club also has a men’s team in the San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL).
Off the field, the club is led by co-presidents Edward Stephen and Iliana Rivera Ramos. Stephen runs much of the club’s day-to-day operations. At the same time, Rivera Ramos is the team manager for the club and connects the club and its members. Haydn Griffith is the club’s treasurer.
Ex-Pro Michael Muniz will be head coach
Former pro soccer player Michael Muniz will be the club’s head coach on the field. An Oakland native, Muniz was raised by his parents, who immigrated from Mexico. He developed in the Oakland Chivitas and Bay Oaks Soccer Club youth programs. At 16, he first joined the Chivas USA MLS development academy before next being part of the Chicago Fire youth program.
Muniz then went to Mexico and played for second division clubs Irapuato FC and Delfines del Carmen for five seasons while also being part of the Mexico national team U-20 and U-21 sides.
Upon his retirement, he was a California Magic Soccer Club coach for several years before joining OSC in 2021.
What to expect this year in NPSL
It should be an exciting 2022 season in the NPSL Golden Gate Division. Besides OSC, the league includes 2021 Division winner Academica SC, runner-up El Farolito, 2022 US Open Cup participant Contra Costa FC, Napa Valley 1839, FC Davis, Sonoma County Sol, and Sacramento Gold.
OSC will also have a local Oakland derby rival in the Oakland Stompers, who will once again be competing in the NPSL in 2022.
NPSL is considered the fourth division on the USA soccer pyramid and is a semi-professional league on par with USL League 2.
OSC will play its home games in Oakland and is currently considering several local high school soccer fields for its home field.
