After a twelve day break, Orange County SC returns to league action as they take on league bottom-dwellers Tacoma Defiance in Washington. The match is a chance for the club’s second road win of the season.
Orange County (27 points) and its fans certainly enjoyed the first match between the sides back in April, with Darwin Jones, Leonardo, Michael Seaton, and Vinicius all finding the net in a 4-0 victory. It will be a performance OCSC will certainly look to repeat, with a big result key to the squad’s confidence and a stable spot in the playoff places.
OC celebrating after Darwin Jones’ opening goal against Tacoma in April. Photo courtesy of Liza Rosales/Orange County SC.
Tacoma (14 points) again finds themselves bottom of the table, a continuation from last year’s form. But 11 of the team’s 14 total points have all come at home. The most impressive of these results was a 4-1 victory over Las Vegas on July 24, during which the side accumulated a three-man advantage in the game. Tacoma has also scored the fastest goal in USL history, with Justin Dhillon finding the back of the net after just nine seconds against Reno 1868 FC.
Against a young side, veteran experience and defensive cohesion will be the keys to victory. The match in April saw Tacoma field a team with an average age of just over 19 years, and the OC defense proved resolute as Tacoma was limited to just four shots, all of which missed the target.
Liam Trotter and Vinicius remain unavailable. Under the USL “Good Behavior” incentive, Danny Crisostomo is no longer facing suspension due to caution accumulation.
The match kicks off at 7pm at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN+ in the United States. The County Line Coalition and Orange and Black SoccerCast invite you to the supporter’s watch party for the match at Tony Pepperoni in Aliso Viejo.