Portions courtesy OC Blues FC

IRVINE, Calif. - Recent LMU men's soccer alums Jack McCracken and Billy Thompson have signed with the Orange County Blues FC for the 2015 USL season.

Thompson, a 23-year-old goalkeeper, is an Orange County native who attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. His youth career was spent with West Coast Futbol Club and the LA Galaxy Development Academy. The keeper played four seasons with LMU, wrapping up his collegiate career in 2013. He started in three of their first six matches his senior year before a knee injury took him out for the season. After playing with the Lions, Thompson spent 2014 with PDL side FC Tucson and received PDL Goalkeeper of the Year.

Towering at 6'6", the Lion grad has had an excellent preseason with the Blues and is looking to make his professional debut with the team. "Working here with the Blues is great, it is a very professional environment and a great place to start my career. There are things I can provide for the team and in return they can provide for me," commented Thompson.

"Coach Wyss was my first club coach so I know what a good coach he is and he's an overall great person. It is very exciting to be reunited with him and have him coach me again as a professional. I know that whatever Oliver does is successful, so I know this team is bound for greatness just based off of the coaching staff and front office," replied the keeper.

McCracken is a 22-year-old defender who is currently finishing his final year at LMU. From Manhattan Beach, Calif., the defender helped lead the Pateadores U18 team to the US Soccer Development Academy National Championship in 2011. In 2013, the Lion started in 16 matches, scored one goal and two assists as well as received All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention honors. McCracken won team MVP Defender in 2014, while assisting the LMU back line in nine shutouts that year.

McCracken remarked, "I am excited to be joining the Blues and playing for such a first class coaching staff. The growth of USL is very promising and I am happy to be a part of a great club like the Blues. The team is looking strong and I hope to do my part to make this a successful season for Orange County."

The Blues opened the 2015 season on Saturday, March 28th vs Arizona United SC.