In a previous pregame article, it was mentioned that these two teams have always seemed like a thorn in the side of one another. As fate would have it: both of them have the chance to ruin the other’s season. 

Orange County SC will host Phoenix Rising FC in the 2023 Western Conference semifinal on Saturday. The match will be the 32nd all-time meeting between the two, as well as the second in the postseason. Many OC fans will remember the last one, which came in 2018.

In their opening matchup of the postseason, Orange County came away with a dominant 1-0 victory over El Paso. That game saw Milan Iloski score off a set piece and the OC backline hold El Paso to only four shots total, all off target. It was a “traditional” performance and result for Orange County, reminiscent of the 2021 playoff run. And with the victory, OC advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time in history, from eight total appearances.

THE OPPONENT - PHOENIX RISING FC

Phoenix have reached this point thanks to scoring a lot of goals. During the regular season, Phoenix scored 58 goals, good for fifth total in the USL. However, a string of low-scoring draws late in the regular season meant that Rising came into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the West.

On the road to start their playoff campaign, Phoenix were challenged by a highly emotional San Diego Loyal side. In a highly entertaining game for fans and neutrals alike, the game saw seven goals scored, two lead changes, two penalty kicks, as well as goals in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time, extra time, and finally: the game winner in the 119th minute. It was easily the most entertaining game of the opening round. It was also a microcosm of Phoenix’s regular season. 

The Phoenix offense has been the strength of the team with forwards like Danny Trejo, Manuel Arteaga, and Dariusz Formella all contributing more than 10 goals each this season. But the Rising defense would be targeted and give up just about as much as they scored. Against SD, both Trejo and Formella found the back of the net, yet the defense gave up three goals to an in-form Ronaldo Damus, including a penalty in the dying minutes of regulation. Phoenix escaped San Diego by the skin of their teeth and will likely need another impressive performance if they want to escape Orange County. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

There is no secret to the Phoenix game plan: score a lot of goals. It doesn’t matter where they come from, but three men in particular have threatened. The dynamic trio of Trejo, Arteaga, and Formella all saw action in San Diego and combined for three of the four Phoenix goals. Stopping the trio is crucial, but it will require a lot of work: the three attackers accounted for two-thirds of Rising’s goals this year.

Orange County is a defensive team at heart, and this is largely thanks to the midfield clogging up passing lanes for the opposition. With the return of Kevin Partida from suspension, he should pair back up with Kyle Scott. Against El Paso, Scott won 14 of 24 duels while completing 58 of 68 passes. With Partida alongside him, Scott should be free to be even more creative, while the midfield can still retain its strength that’s seen OC go from bottom to second-top of the West.

THE MATCHUP

These two teams have quite the history with one another. It is a storied rivalry, with the aforementioned 2018 Western Conference Final being the most notable match between the two. More recently, Phoenix hosted Orange County at the end of September. In what was otherwise a stalwart defensive display from OC, Phoenix took a point after Emil Cuello scored a belter from distance after 85 minutes.

Phoenix were one of three other teams from the West that OC failed to beat during the regular season.

Of course, Orange County is going to see the return of a number of players. Kevin Partida is back after his first round suspension, and his return will be very important to the OC midfield and the team’s defensive prowess. Marc McNulty will also return from suspension, with the striker further bolstering the offensive core.

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - vs Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship - Western Conference Semifinal)

When - October 28, 7:00 PM PST

Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)

OCSC Form - WWWWD

PHX Form - WLLDD
All-Time Record (31 matches) - 9-13-9
TV - ESPN+, USL on Youtube (non-US only)