In their final tune-up games of the 2023 preseason, OCSC took victories in both of their March 4 matchups against Los Angeles FC 2 and UC Santa Barbara. 

Two games being played resulted in two different Orange County sides: both good enough to come away with victories. In the early game against LAFC2, Orange County featured a line-up that gives us a good indication of who we will see come March 11 in the season opener. Included in this XI were first teamers Milan Iloski, Daniel Pedersen, Alex Villanueva, Andrew Fox and Colin Shutler. 

The majority of chances created in this game were created by Orange County. This game is best described as a midfield type of game in that much of the play was condensed to the middle third of the pitch. In turn this led to both sides being even at 0 come halftime. 

To start the second half, Orange County substituted Brent Richards on to the backline. OC finally found its offensive touch as they began to dominate possession. OCSC found itself with a number of set piece opportunities, with their best chance coming with a 60th minute PK after Milan Iloski was run over from behind in the box. Iloski slotted home his attempt past former OCSC keeper and current LAFC 2 keeper Abraham Romero in what would be Milan’s only impact on the game in a rather quiet effort from him. 

This was the difference maker as OC were able to truly control the game and see through with their third win of the preseason. Defensively the backline of Fox, Villanueva, and Richards kept the LA attackers in check as Shutler earned the clean sheet. However this was not without some nervy moments in the back with a number of times in which the keeper was pressured to clear the ball or play some dangerous passes. In spite of that, he still did enough to not concede. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS - It was really a quiet game with only a few chances to be had for offense. There is little doubt that the offense will be Orange County’s strongest asset this coming season. Aside from Milan, the chances that were had came from either Marc McNulty, Emil Nielsen or Korede Osundina. With Milan in the middle garnering the majority of attention from opposing defenses, then it is up to the play of the wingers to facilitate the offense. 

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Kevin Partida quietly had a very good game in the number 6 spot. His play kept both the defense and midfield connected and was able to coordinate passes to break through the LAFC 2 lines. It was evident that this game would be either won or lost in the midfield but Partida’s play ensured that possession was maintained.

Match Two: In the second match of the day, OCSC took on former NCAA D1 champions in the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara. 

The lineup for the second game featured a number of intriguing players as well as a handful of trialists. Notable players in this second game included Bryce Jamison, Dillon Powers, Ryan Doghman, Joey Buckley, and Ashish Chattha. 

This was easily the best 90 minutes that Orange County had played all preseason as it only took 5 minutes before Ashish Chattha would punch in a rebound for the first goal of the afternoon session. Nearly the entire half was spent in the Santa Barbara end as the chances kept falling for Orange County. The persistence resulted in a second goal in the 26th minute as a trialist playing the left wing scored off of a bad rebound left by the keeper. This goal would end up being the winning effort as OC entered the half up 2-0. 

Orange County picked up where they left off in the second half with sustained time spent in the offensive third. Ashish Chattha and Bryce Jamison committed to applying pressure to the Gaucho backline and made life difficult for the backline. As for the OC backline, Doghman and Buckley put in solid shifts on the wings with Miles and Richards fortifying the backline. Orange County scored a third goal, this time with a 57th minute cross that unintentionally found its way over the keeper’s head and into the net. UCSB would pull one back in one of their only efforts on goal about ten minutes later.

The match quieted down after this moment. A couple of trailists came on as substitutions in both the net and at the front as well as an appearance by Nico Ruiz. Orange County’s fourth goal came in the 89th minute with a perfect cross which found the head of an Academy player who headed it home near post. The match would end there with OC winning 4-1.

IMPRESSIONS - As mentioned before, this was easily the best game of the preseason. Orange County’s lineup in this game was a mix of both older vets, and Academy/Trialist players. The offense had a number of contributors with goals coming in a number of different ways. The match itself was a bit of a tense affair as a number of harsh tackles ensured everyone was on their toes. For competing against a D1 side, the youth of Orange County held their own. 

PRESEASON WRAP-UP - Orange County end their 2023 preseason with a record of 4-1-1. The boys in orange started off the preseason with a pair of wins before being defeated by San Diego along with drawing a college side in Cal State Fullerton. They would respond well with a pair of wins in their last weekend before the regular season. There are still a number of questions that Richard Chaplow and his staff will have to answer before next week regarding the second goalkeeper spot along with midfield depth, but as of now their focus turns to the 2023 season. 

LOOKING FORWARD - OCSC set their sights to the regular season and will have a tough first challenge as they play host to last year’s Eastern Conference champion Louisville City FC. That match is slated for March 11, 7 p.m. at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA.