In frigid temps, Orange County SC lost 2-1 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Sunday evening, putting an end to their 2024 campaign.
FIRST HALF
The match couldn’t have started much better for OC: Chasing a ball over the top of the Colorado back line, Ethan Zubak forced a weak header back from his center back, and kept running. Switchbacks goalkeeper Christian Herrera came out for it, but didn’t fully commit, leaving Zubak free to pass the ball into an empty net and make it 1-0 just four minutes in.
Colorado responded with a few chances of their own, and finally found an answer in the 10th minute. As the hosts slowed the game down in the OC half, Zach Zandi drifted, unmarked, at the top of the box. Speedy Williams rolled his pass in from the right, and Zandi’s side-footed effort had just enough pace to beat Colin Shutler and level the scoreline.
The hosts created the most chances from then on, with the most dangerous coming from a seemingly mis-hit cross from Matthew Real just past the half-hour mark. Ronaldo Damus had his first big change just moments later, but the former OC striker couldn’t convert as Shutler parried his shot away from danger.
Dillon Powers had the final chance of the half from a corner. Once again lurking at the back post, the center back’s first effort was blocked by Damus before the ensuing rebound was lifted over the crossbar.
The half ended 1-1, with some fatigue showing for both sides.
SECOND HALF
Orange County began the second half with a series of calamitous heavy touches, first, by Shutler, leading him right into the hosts’ press. The second, from Dunbar on the initial clearance, gifted the hosts possession once again. But Orange County could not escape the mounting pressure, as two minutes later Quenzi Huerman found himself open at the back post. Looking to repeat Zandi’s first half effort, Huerman curled his effort, but crucially dragged it wide of the post.
Dunbar looked more like himself just two minutes later, dribbling around his man, losing his marker, and bending one towards the back post, but Herrera saved comfortably. It proved to be OC’s last shot on target.
As fatigue set in, both sides went more direct, perhaps trying to capitalize on fatigue or perhaps just unwilling to commit numbers forward. Neither team really threatened, however, and the match looked destined for extra time.
And after 96 minutes, that destiny was realized. For the second consecutive week, OC was headed to extra time.
EXTRA TIME
Thomas Amang, a late substitute, had OC’s only real chance, but rifled his effort into the side netting. The remainder of his appearance was largely a cameo as OC struggled to move forward.
95 minutes after his first, Zach Zandi struck again. This time it was a simple redirect in front of goal, as the midfielder turned a Cole Mrowka cross back towards the near post and over the outstretched arm of Shutler.
At 2-1, with 15 minutes left, the hosts were able to hang on comfortably. Orange County players looked exhausted and were wasteful in possession. In contrast, the Switchbacks were careful, preventing OC from creating anything really dangerous and managed the game well, letting time run on at every opportunity.
After a mildly controversial but ultimately inconsequential final additional minute of stoppage time, Colorado Springs earned the win and with it, a berth in the Western Conference Final.
For OC, their night— and their season— ended, perhaps breathlessly, but certainly earlier than players, staff, and fans would’ve initially hoped.