Tristan Trager said he had a goal of making it back home to Orange County.
Tuesday, it became a reality, as Trager, 25, signed with Orange County Soccer Club ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season.
"When I was in high school (San Clemente HS), I remember coming to Orange County games and I thought it would be cool to come home if I played pro," Trager said. "And as I started, the dream started to become more real."
The move home also allows Trager to be close to his wife, Shannon. The couple met at the Air Force Academy and were recently married and just returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Trager said his wife's Air Force duties have her based in Los Angeles.
"I was always trying to get back to SoCal," he said. "We were doing the long distance for awhile."
Trager's professional career started as a second-round draft pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United FC. However, he didn't sign.
"I wasn't able to go to preseason," he said. "I had to stay in school and wait until I graduated."
After graduation, Trager signed with Atlanta United 2.
"Right after graduation, I drove straight to Atlanta," he said. "I never got a true look for the first team, but I thought I learned a lot."
In his short period as a professional, Trager hasn't had a problem scoring goals.
Trager scored eight goals with the second team, then spent 2023 with Charleston Battery (USL) and scored five goals. Last season, he was back in California with Monterey Bay and scored eight goals.
Trager didn't play soccer for San Clemente. He was the kicker for the football team and spent time with the L.A. Galaxy Academy before moving to Irvine Strykers.
"I didn't have many offers," he said. "I was a late bloomer ... scrawny. I was able to squeak into the Air Force Academy, I think I was the last recruit, so I took my one offer because I wanted to play Division 1 (soccer). So, I went to college with chip on my shoulder."
Trager scored 29 goals with 11 assists at Air Force. He earned a pair of All-WAC first-team honors and an Offensive Player of the Year award.
"I got some minutes as a freshman and after that season, I knew I had some momentum, so I hit the gym super hard going into my sophomore year," he said. "I started scoring goals."
Trager joins an Orange County SC team that finished sixth in the Western Conference. The OCSC attack scored just 38 goals, which Trager should help improve.
"I'm a hard worker, clinical and I've proven that I can score goals in this league," he said. "I can bring a dynamic part to the attack."
Trager isn't sure where his soccer career will take him after OCSC. When he's done playing, he will have to fulfill his service commitment. He received a waiver from the Secretary of Defense to postpone service until his professional career is done.
"Having a military spouse makes things more challenging," he said. "I'm happy where I'm at and want to focus on next season."
Orange County SC will play the first three games of the 2025 season at home at Championship Stadium. The season opener is March 8 against Oakland Roots SC.
OCSC will play 17 games at home and 17 on the road. The regular season concludes Oct. 25.