2016 Orange County Blues FC season

The 2016 Orange County Blues FC season was the club's seventh season of existence, and their seventh season playing in the third tier of American soccer, USL.

Unlike the previous season, the Blues weren't as dominant in their conference, losing five more games, and only qualifying for the USL Playoffs as the eighth seed over the Portland Timbers 2 via goal difference. In the first round, the Blues had an upset over the first seeded Sacramento Republic FC, winning off of penalties, but ultimately fell to eventual finalists Swope Park Rangers in added extra time 2–1.

This season would be a season of lasts for the Blues. At the end of the season, the Mansouri Family sold the team to James Keston, who would rebrand the team to their current name, Orange County Soccer Club. Additionally, he would move the team from Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC Irvine to their own stadium, Championship Soccer Stadium.

U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL, the Blues entered the U.S. Open Cup in the second round, matched up away against amateur club L.A. Wolves FC of the USASA. After losing 2–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in open play, the Blues' loss marked the third time in a row the Blues lost to an amateur club in the U.S. Open Cup.