Wisconsin Soccer Central

Patrick McLain (Eau Claire Memorial) has found a new team – and in the end, he didn't need to go very far to find it.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper signed with Orange County Blues FC of USL PRO on Friday, joining the third-division club in Irvine, Calif., after two seasons with Major League Soccer's Chivas USA in nearby Carson.

“He's excited to come here and showcase himself on a week-in, week-out basis as a top goalkeeper in USL PRO," Blues general manager Jon Spencer said in a news release. "We are very fortunate that we are able to sign him, and hope we can help him further his career. We feel that he is someone that can help us win in USL PRO this year and years to come.”

McLain made his MLS debut for Chivas USA last May when starter Dan Kennedy was sent off in a match against Sporting Kansas City, then got the start the next week against the Portland Timbers because Kennedy was suspended. The former Cal Poly standout also made several appearances in the MLS Reserve League for Chivas USA, and spent some time on trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps last month.

The OC Blues, who previously were known as the LA Blues, open their fourth season March 22 against LA Galaxy II. They were sixth out of 13 teams in the regular season with an 11-8-7 record last year, and lost to Charleston 2-1 in the USL PRO quarterfinals.

On Twitter: @PatrickMcLain24

• In addition to being streamed live for free on YouTube, all USL PRO matches also will  be streamed live on NSCAATV.com, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's web channel.
• The Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League waived their rights to forward Lindsay Tarpley (Madison), who hasn't played competitively since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the U.S. women's national team back in May 2011. The Red Stars selected the 30-year-old Tarpley in the NWSL supplemental draft in February 2013 in hopes that she would be able to join the team during the season, but that didn't happen.