Oscar Ramsay (Charlotte Independence | USA)

Former Springs first team midfielder Oscar Ramsay’s football career has now taken him from Meola Rd to North Carolina, via New York.

The 22 year old has signed with American professional soccer club Charlotte Independence in the USL Championship, after four years at US college; Hofstra University.

Oscar started playing at Western Springs as a five year old for Team Rimu coached by life member Steve Lowe. A few years later he moved on to “Joga Bonita” - the three times metro championship team coached by Bart Cleverly. Oscar then joined Wynton Rufer’s WYNRS Academy which played its club football under the banner of Onehunga Sports. Here he was coached by Auckland City great, the late Keryn Jordan.

A stint at Central United followed, winning the U19 league and making his first team debut. He also played for Auckland City in the national youth league under Chris Zorocich, the current Springs Premier coach. Oscar then returned to Western Springs to play first team football under Neil Emblem. He also played for Westlake Boys High School during this time, captaining the team in his final year.

Oscar was in the extended squad for the NZ U20 team before moving to New York. He accepted a scholarship to Hofstra University on Long Island. As a starter for the NCAA Division One University, he played 73 games over his four year college career. He also spent his summers playing in the USL2 league for various clubs including Reading United and Lionsbridge FC, where he made the USL2 national final in 2018 with the former.

Oscar will begin preseason with Charlotte Independence this month. With a semester of university papers to complete online, he plans to graduate in May with a major in Finance.

Congratulations Oscar, Springs are very proud to be a part of your journey!

Congrats to him.

First USL league game is against Kansas City II, so who knows may come up against W Reid.

https://us.soccerway.com/teams/united-states/charlotte-independence/32863/

Never heard of him until now.

It's always a special moment when you find out about a new Kiwi playing in a professional environment somewhere around the world!

Never heard of him until now.

It's always a special moment when you find out about a new Kiwi playing in a professional environment somewhere around the world!

Oscar featured in a few age group NZ camps and did well for Westlake boys and  Western Springs before heading away. He stayed over in the USA over their College break, playing in their feeder leagues, which must have helped him establish himself. Creative attacking player

Sounds good! I didn't mean it as a put down by the way... I follow most Kiwis overseas but I'm not that switched on when it comes to the US College system...

Still, USL straight out of college is really good!

Unused sub in a 2-1 win at SKC II, in the USL.

No Winnie Reid with SKC 2nd team.

Note Charlotte will have a MLS team in 2022 - as is planned league will be expanded to 30 teams.

Sounds like USL is to restart July 11th.

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1110038

MLS to restart few days earlier on July 8th with tourney in Florida.

Not in match day squad as Charlotte draw 2-2 with Memphis 901 (Collier's USL team last season).

41 yr old Tim Howard in goal for Memphis. I believe he's a part owner.

Unused sub as Charlotte lose 4-1 at Birmingham Legion.

Unused sub as Charlotte draw 1-1 at home verus Charleston Battery.

Unused sub as Charlotte draw 1-1 at home verus Birmingham Legion

Unused sub in a 3-2 win over Memphis 901 in the USL.

Comes on at 84 mins, in a 2-1 loss at Miami FC.

Comes on late again, this time at 86 mins in a 1-4 home loss to Birmingham Legion (top of 4 team group).

Not great from Charlotte (2nd in same USL group) considering Birmingham were down to 10 men from 58 mins. 

Trend of getting a few minutes late on. Subbed on at 92 mins in a 2-0 win at Memphis 901.

Same score when introduced.

Unused sub in 3-1 win at Birmingham Legion.

Birmingham remain remain top of their USL pool, but Charlotte close the gap to one point, and have a game in hand.

Unused sub in a 0-0 draw verus Miami FC.

Charlotte and Birmingham equal on points for top spot in their pool.

Unused sub in a 1-3 home loss to Memphis 901.

Charlotte 2nd in their pool.

On the bench as Charlotte host Charleston Battery, in their USL knockout Eastern Conference QF.

Charleston win 2-1 after ET (1-1 end of NT).

Despite the extra 30 minutes, Ramsay not called off the bench.

During the season on was on the bench for Charlotte 16 times, and got subbed on 4 of those 16. All cameos, as he had total 10 mins for the USL season!!