IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Soccer Club announced on Sunday the signings of former LA Galaxy II player Joe Franco and LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Amirgy Pineda. The signings are pending league and federation approval.

Franco, 27, joined Los Dos in 2014, and the following season played a pivotal role in helping the club secure the USL Western Conference Championship in 2015. Over a two-year spell with the club he totaled 44 appearances. In 2016, he signed with Miami FC for its inaugural season, but now returns to Southern California with Orange County SC. 

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Franco spent four years at Cal State Northridge and in 2012 was named Big West Defender of the Year. Following his time with the Matadors he played for the LA Misioneros of the Premier Development League before being drafted by Chivas USA in the second round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft.

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Amirgy “Ami” Pineda, 19, is a player who has been ever-present on the youth soccer scene in Orange County with the Fullerton Rangers, winning two national championships in the process. He became the first American invited to train at the Nike Academy in England, and subsequently joined the LA Galaxy Academy. Pineda has seen time with the U.S. U18 National Team program, and provides versatility in the midfield with the ability to operate in a number of positions centrally or out wide.