Pair Of Revamped Rosters Meet For First Time in 2023

Orange County opens up Western Conference play at home this Saturday, March 25 against the Lights of Las Vegas. 

Orange County has a very strong chance at earning their first victory of the 2023 season. They will look to accomplish this at the expense of fellow Western Conference rivals Las Vegas Lights FC who will be looking to qualify for the USL playoffs for the first time in franchise history. 

This will be Orange County’s third consecutive home game to start the season. After tonight they will begin a two-game road swing to both Hartford and El Paso. 

THE OPPONENT - LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC

The Lights have had a tumultuous first five seasons of existence. They have yet to qualify past the regular season but are coming off of their best season last year in which they earned a modest 45 points. Making his return to Nevada is head coach Isidro Sanchez who previously coached the side back in 2018. Likewise Las Vegas is back to being an independent side with control over their roster after their partnership with Los Angeles FC of the MLS ended last season. 

In their first and only game of the 2023 season to date, Las Vegas was able to come away with a point in their trip to Rio Grande Valley. The Lights broke through off an RGV own goal in a match that ended with both sides at 10 men. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It has been an almost complete reboot of the roster from last season. The Lights finished last season with a stout defense that should be even better this year with the addition of defender Zach Carroll. Carroll comes to the Silver State after a respectable USL career which includes leading Memphis 901 FC to the postseason as well as winning the 2016 USL title with New York Red Bulls II. 

Likewise it will serve as a homecoming for Erick “Cubo” Torres. The Mexican international spent last season in OC where he totaled 9 goals in 33 appearances for the Orange and Black. 
For Orange County, the focus will be in the net as Cody Cropper looks poised to make his second start for his new club. Cropper had a positive debut last week against Tampa Bay registering one save while conceding off of a set piece. With more time spent with his new team, he should be in line for his first victory this Saturday. Likewise Emil Nielsen may have a bigger impact going forward. After scoring his first of the season last week, Nielsen must continue on that form if OC are to be successful. With Korede Osundina’s selection for the United States U-19 national team, the chance is there.

THE MATCHUP

Orange County has experienced much of the success when looking at the head-to-head matchup with Las Vegas. Since 2018, the Orange and Black have gone 9-3-2 against their Sin City rivals. In seven total matches at home, OC have won 6 of them and drawn once with that draw being the last time these two teams have met. 

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - vs. Las Vegas Lights FC (USL Championship)

When - March 25, 7:00 PST

Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)

OCSC Form - DL

LVL Form - D

All-Time Matchup - 9-3-2

TV - ESPN+