The Hunt for Orange October

The win on Wednesday night in El Paso was momentous in a historical sense as well as an important victory for the standings. It was the first time that Orange County had even earned points in El Paso let alone a win. But what the win also did was give OCSC more than an 80 percent chance of clinching a postseason spot. If and when they clinch a playoff berth it will just be the third time in club history that they will make the postseason in consecutive seasons as well as the first time since 2019. They have a pretty good chance as well since they only need a San Antonio loss to Louisville City to do it for them.

But what got Orange County into a position where the pressure is not on them to win games has been the current run of undefeated efforts that is at 6 games and dates back to August 31st. Danny Stone has left his mark on the club and Orange County are playing winning defensive soccer. Likewise Orange County has won consecutive games for the first time since early April. If they are to win a third it will be the first time in 2024. But a win is far from guaranteed as Orange County will welcome first place New Mexico United.

THE OPPONENT - NEW MEXICO UNITED

New Mexico United have had a very memorable season that has seen them rise high and above the rest of the Western Conference and able to solidify the number one seed for the playoffs. New Mexico during the first half of the season looked like a team on a mission and they were able to win games in a variety of different ways. They could win games with their offense when needed or hold teams off the scoresheet entirely. Easily one of the more balanced teams is what propelled them past Sacramento and clinched the number one seed in their 1-1 draw last Saturday in Tulsa. However that draw in Tulsa has been part of a growing issue. That draw in Tulsa marked the third consecutive game that New Mexico failed to win, their first time all season doing that. It may be a symptom of already clinching a postseason spot but better teams have been knocked out of the playoffs earlier if they are not careful.

New Mexico will open up their playoffs at home and will play the 8th seed in the West which could really be a number of teams Orange County included. It will be curious how New Mexico handles an away game against a hungry home side in a match that the visitors do not necessarily need to win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The one standout forward for New Mexico is Greg Hurst. Hurst leads the team with 11 goals and has done so while making 31 appearances. The Scottish striker is in his second season with New Mexico but is having his best year at the USL Championship level. His 11 goals ranks second to the 13 he scored with Union Omaha of League One and is way more than the six that he netted with Phoenix Rising in 2022. A very consistent forward on a team that is looking for just a bit more to finish out the regular season.

On the orange side of things, Cameron Dunbar could very well be starting to heat up. The winger was able to score his second goal of the year on Wednesday and is doing so while being an assisting winger by position. We saw Zubak go on a nice run of form (he also scored on Wednesday) and so Dunbar would be the best nominee to also find a more consistent scoring form. He has been a bit unlucky with some of the chances that we have been given but sometimes all it takes is one going in for the rest to start flowing.

THE MATCHUP

The first time that these two teams faced each other saw New Mexico dominate an OC team that was really struggling to find consistency. While not nearly as extreme the circumstances as the previous matchup, this time around the tables are a bit turned. Now it is New Mexico that needs to find a way to win the games and Orange County that are on the winning streak. Historically speaking this matchup has been quite an even one with New Mexico holding the slight edge with a 3-2-2 overall record against OC. These are two teams that could very easily meet again in the postseason. For Orange County a win or draw will sink San Antonio with OC likely needing a win if they are to have a slim chance at a first round home playoff game.

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - vs New Mexico United (USL Championship)

When - October 19, 7:00 PM PST

Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)

OCSC Form - WWDWD

NMU Form - DLLWW

All-Time Matchup - 2-2-3 (7 Matchups)

TV - Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN+