The Orange County Spartans  have announced plans to merge with Nike Premier Club and US Soccer Development Academy member Pateadores Soccer Club to form Orange County Pateadores for the upcoming NPSL season. The Spartans, which have re-branded with the Orange County moniker after previously disappointing results as the Santa Ana Winds (2011 season) and more recently in partnership with youth club Fullerton Rangers FC (2012 season) will continue to play home matches at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Spartans/Pateadores traveled to Los Angeles yesterday to take on Chivas USA in a pre-season friendly during Chivas MLS bi-week. Chivas fielded a mostly reserve line-up, with some players who have yet to see any first team action while Orange county played a full strength roster including Chivas USA trialist Leopoldo Morales, former Chivas homegrown signing Bryan de la Feunte, and former MLS players Omar Jasseh (San Jose Earthquakes) and Irving Garcia (New York Red Bull). The Spartans made a good account of themselves and manged a 2-1 victory over the goats - an impressive victory for the fourth division club even against an MLS reserve side. The Goat Parade has the full match write up.

All attempts to contact Orange County and Pateadores have so far been unsuccessful.