Orange County SC lost 3-1 to SoCal neighbors LA Galaxy II on Wednesday night.
After a few minutes of back and forth play at the beginning of the match, Orange County opened the scoring. Darwin Jones, playing on the wing, cut a pass back to Ugo Okoli, and the striker did just enough to connect with the ball and send it into the goal at the far post.
Los Dos nicked one back a few minutes later from a counterattack through Augustine Williams. It was a similar goal to OC’s opener, as Jorge Hernandez assisted from the right flank with a low cross.
The run of play was constantly interrupted by fouls from both sides.
OC looked the better of the two sides, creating a number of chances and playing well over Galaxy II’s high defensive line.The pace of the game slowed after the 20 minute mark, but it was Orange County confident in possession.
LA II had a chance in the 26th minute, but Frederik Due did well to come off of his line and intercept the cross.
Back on the front foot, Darwin Jones found himself in space again on the right flank. The winger fired a low shot, but the effort fizzed past the far post as the teams went into the first hydration break.
Orange County created a number of chances late in the half. Mostly from the left flank, repeated crosses tested the Los Dos defense. The hosts replied with an attack of their own just before the half ended, but Adrian Vera blasted his effort high and wide of the goal.
Galaxy II had the first two opportunities of the second half, but Frederik Due comfortably snuffed out both chances by intercepting crosses. The hosts dominated the opening of the second half, but couldn’t break through.
Okoli nearly picked up a brace in the 56th minute, but collided with Los Dos keeper Abraham Romero. After a short stoppage, both men returned to their feet and continued on.
Bookings began to mount as Jonathan Perez was booked for a foul on Nathan Smith, adding to Alejandro Alvarado Jr.’s booking just a few minutes prior.
OCSC peppered the LA II box with repeated crosses, and Jones was inches from connecting with one from just 10 yards out.
Frederik Due made an incredible save, denying Los Dos a second goal just after the hour mark. The reflex save caromed off of the Dane’s shin and away from goal before play was stopped for offside.
Kevin Alston was booked for a challenge on Williams in the 67th minute, for which the fullback also conceded a penalty. Williams converted to give the hosts the lead.
OC made a pair of changes following the goal, with Kevin Coleman and Cammy Palmer coming on for Brian Iloski and Seth Casiple. Orange County challenged a moment later from a corner, and while Okoli got a shot off, it was right at Romero.
With more attacking play, Orange County again tested the Los Dos defense, but nothing fell in OC’s way before the second hydration break.
Harry Forrester made his return to play following his return from a knee injury, replacing Danny Crisostomo. Forrester’s first action back was a dangerous in-swinging corner, but OC couldn’t convert the chance.
Entering the final 10 minutes of play, OC threw numbers forward in search of an equalizer. Chandler Hoffman came on to replace Nathan Smith and only left three men in the back line.
The hosts did well to break against Orange County, but couldn’t find a third goal. In extra time, Los Dos found their third and finished off the match.
With the result, Orange County SC are eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2017.
Scoring:
6’: Ugo Okoli (Darwin Jones)
10’: Augustine Williams (Jorge Hernandez)
68’: Augustine Williams
90+2: Jorge Hernandez
Discipline:
54’: (LA) Alejandro Alvarado Jr. (yellow)
58’: (LA) Jonathan Perez (yellow)
67’: (OC) Kevin Alston (yellow)
71’: (OC) Nathan Smith (yellow)
73’: (LA) Adam Saldana (yellow)