Nico Ruiz Leads the Way Against Phoenix Rising Academy

The USL Academy season is upon us and serves as prime development for a number of up and coming prospects to improve their skills and make the jump into professional soccer. For Orange County their academy team Orange County SC II is placed into the Southwest Division along with academy teams from Phoenix Rising, San Diego Loyal, Arizona Arsenal SC, FC Tucson, and Ventura County Fusion.

OCSC II in the past have been mostly youth players under 20 years of age while also fielding a couple of fringe first-team players. This year’s team includes first teamers like Jonathan Gomez, Joseph Buckley, and Nico Ruiz. Their first test of the season came at home against the Phoenix Rising FC Academy this past Friday night, May 19 2023.

FIRST HALF

From the word go, OC came out firing on all cylinders. It became very clear that Orange County was the dominant team and it showed as much of the possession was in favor of Orange County. Their dominance paid off early as it only took 6 minutes for Nico Ruiz to fire in a low shot from the right side of the box to open the scoring for the Baby Oranges.

The backline consisting of Joey Buckley, Brady Elliott, KJ Lawson, and Emilio set the tempo early for OC II taking possession and building out from the back. Likewise the wing play of OC created the majority of offense for the home side. Wingers like Adrian Diaz and Phoenix Watkins were able to attack down the sides and provide service into the box. OC’s second goal came from a set piece from one of these sides as Nico Ruiz again found the ball at his feet in the box and smashed it in for his second of the night.

To this point, the Rising academy team had nothing to show but they would be given a lifeline around the 22’ minute when a through ball found its way past KJ Lawson who ultimately brought down the Phoenix forward for a textbook foul in the box. The subsequent kick from the spot found the net to cut OC’s lead in half. However this did not deter the offense for OC as they would find their third of the night 13 minutes later. Again off a set piece, Tarek Hamideh was left completely wide open in the middle of the box and easily headed it home for his first goal of the season. That would be the last attack of the half for OC who entered the break up 3-1.

SECOND HALF

The second half proved to be much of the same for Orange County as they limited the Phoenix offense while maintaining possession. However the first-game fatigue began to set in and the backline began to give up more and more opportunities. For a spell of play Phoenix began opening up on the counter and nearly found a second but the shot struck the crossbar. This is where goalkeeper Juan Santana really began to stand out. Santana tallied one save while dealing with a number of crosses with physicality and calmness.

As the match moved on Orange County began to empty out their bench. For this match OC had a bench consisting of five field players and one keeper. While we have information on the starters with numbers, we were not as lucky with the bench. However we do know that OC subbed in all five of their position players. Thus beginning at about the 76’ minute, OC subbed off Ruiz, Diaz, Hamideh, along with midfielders Phoenix Watkins and Diego Orosco. In return saw the appearances of players like Colton Beuck, Carrasco, Godziesk, Horton, and Munier.

Orange County themselves would hit a post as KJ Lawson bullied his way to a ball in the box and beat the keeper but ultimately struck the woodwork. Likewise OCII captain Johnathan Gomez would try a few shots from distance including a first half effort that forced a save. Ultimately the stellar first half from the Baby Oranges was enough to earn the full three points.

OVERVIEW

It was a wire-to-wire victory for Orange County who made quick work of the Rising. It was nearly a perfect start minus a tough challenge leading to the PK goal. However with a fairly similar lineup to the ones that were fielded last year and a new emphasis placed on holding possession and building out from the back it was a welcome sight.

There were a number of different players that I could nominate for player of the match but ultimately it’s the first-teamer Nico Ruiz that proved why he is in the position that he is in. The best forwards are able to score with a limited number of chances and Ruiz was able to slot away two with the chances he got.

With how the USL Academy playoffs are determined, OC must be able to get as many points as they possibly can with virtually no room for error. The first test for the Baby Oranges has been passed and with relative ease. OC II now begins a four game trip away from Irvine beginning next Wednesday as they head down the coast to San Diego. Their next home game is not until July 11th, when they welcome Ventura County.