Orange County Look For Needed Points in Trip to South Florida

Certain games throughout the season can serve as good reminders about the states of clubs. This will be interim-head coach Morten Karlsen’s fifth game at the helm and will be a good indication just how much OC have improved or remained the same. 

This will be only Orange County’s second trip East of the Mississippi this season. In fact it will be OC’s first time ever playing in the city of Miami, Florida. In the meantime the Boys in Orange are coming off a disappointing home defeat to Phoenix in a match that they really should have gotten at least a point from. After that, OC currently stands at 11th in the West on 9 points. 

Miami FC are not much better in the East with only 11 points which puts them 9th, just one point short of the playoff line. Miami are coming off two straight losses including a 2-3 defeat to San Diego their last time out. 

THE OPPONENT - MIAMI FC

Officially going by the moniker The Miami FC, this is a club with a unique history. Having been founded in 2016, Miami FC have played in a total of four different leagues. These leagues include the NASL, NPSL, NISA, and finally the USL Championship. Before moving up divisions to the USL, Miami were two time NPSL champions as well as NISA champions the following year during a dominant three-year stretch. 

In 2020, Miami FC would begin their stint in the USL where they have yet to replicate their success. They have qualified for the playoffs the previous two years but have bowed out in the quarterfinals both times. This season has been a bit of a frustrating one with a couple of good wins along with some embarrassing ones. This is a team that, like Phoenix last week, are better than their record indicates. Through 11 games they are only 2-5-4 with the two wins coming against Birmingham and Las Vegas. Likewise it has been a heavy home schedule to begin the year. Of the 11 games played, 7 have been played at Riccardo Silva Stadium including both of their Open Cup matchups. 

Head coach Anthony Pulis is in his second season at Miami and will look to improve on his conference quarterfinals appearance from last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Miami FC are one of those teams that tend to lie under the radar in the Eastern Conference. However this does not mean that they should be taken any less seriously than others. This includes the players as well. At the forward position Kyle Murphy, an eight year USL veteran who has spent time at five different USL clubs before coming to Miami. The American has 56 career goals including goals in two straight. He is the one to watch. Last season Miami was known for its strong defense however that has not been the case this season. This includes the addition of Paco Craig to the backline. Craig is a three time USL All League First Team and two time USL All League Second Team. If Miami wants to do well, they’ll need their big signing to lead them on the backline. 

On the Orange side of things, the offseason saw a number of new players brought into the fold. One of those new faces is that of defender Owen Lambe. Lambe is a Santa Barbara native and Cal State Fullerton alumni where he played one season for the Titans. He made his professional debut with the LA Galaxy II and even scored a goal in his lone appearance with the LA Galaxy senior team. Lambe has started the injury with a knock that has kept him out during the beginning but has returned this past month. He has made 3 appearances including starts at RB the past two games. Another young player looking to make an impact

THE Matchup

This is only the second ever matchup between the two clubs but will be the first time played in Miami. Last season the two sides met in California and battled to a 0-0 draw in the summer. As part of the revamped schedule which includes more cross-conference matchups, this will be Miami’s third time playing a California team and second straight game hosting one. Likewise this is Orange County’s first ever trip to Vice City. 

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - @ Miami FC (USL Championship)

When - May 27, 4:00 PM PST

Where - Riccardo Silva Stadium (Miami, FL)

OCSC Form - LWLLL

MIA Form - LLWDL

All-Time Matchup - 0-0-1

TV - ESPN+