OC Aim To Keep Momentum in Milestone Matchup
This week's matchup on Saturday, July 1st will mark the tenth home game played for Orange County SC during their 2023 season. The 2023 season also happens to be the tenth season for OCSC in the city of Irvine. While it is not the tenth anniversary of the club overall, it does serve as a celebration of the oldest Western Conference club in the USL.
Likewise Saturday, regardless of current standings, is another reminder of the partnership between OCSC and the city that it has called home for 10 years. While it has not been the smoothest stay in Irvine, it is still nevertheless where our club has played its game and ultimately where we all gather to support them.
On top of all this pageantry, OC will also be playing a crucial game against a fellow California side in that of Monterey Bay FC. A side that Orange County have yet to even score a goal against.
THE OPPONENT - MONTEREY BAY FC
Monterey Bay FC are in their sophomore season as a club having been the result of the folding of the former Fresno FC who sold their USL franchise rights and established a new team due west in the coastal town of Monterey. The Union for the most part have been pretty respectable as a new team in the USL. Their inaugural season had the typical first season woes, however this season they have gotten off to a strong start and currently sit third in the Western Conference.
Due in part to their early season success is due to their solid offense which has exploded for 26 goals which is good enough for third in the West and fifth in the USL. This has also been a key factor into their current five-game unbeaten run that also includes a 1-0 away victory over USL leaders Sacramento. This is a team that during this nice unbeaten run have only allowed two goals in the past five games. Both sides of the ball are clicking as they make the trip South down the coast. As it stands the Crisp and Kelp are on the right path to their first playoff berth as a club.
The head coach of the Union is US league soccer journeyman Frank Yallop, a very respectable manager who has won MLS coach of the year in 2001 and 2012 while also leading the San Jose Earthquakes to MLS titles in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
One of the key stats going into this third all-time matchup is the fact that OC failed to score in both of their games with MBFC last season. This was due in part to the play of goalkeeper Antony Siaha. Siaha this season has made 10 appearances however has accounted for all of his team’s clean sheets. This includes those in two straight. However Siaha was also in net last season in both of Monterey’s wins over OC; garnering clean sheets in both games. He has gotten the best of OC in his career and will look to continue that trend. Also making his return back to Orange County is forward Sean “Ugo” Okoli. Okoli has had a storied career playing for a number of different clubs including three different stints with OCSC. Okoli was also a key member of the 2021 championship team including converting the PK that sent OC to the USL Final. In the league Ugo has made six appearances for MBFC but has yet to find the back of the net. Okoli was an underrated player for Orange County of which OC fans should have nothing but respect for.
On the orange side of things, our spotlight is on another underrated veteran for Orange County in midfielder/defender Dillon Powers. Another piece of the 2021 title team, Powers is now in his third season with OC as well as his second stint with the club. In his 47 appearances for OC he has tallied one goal as a midfielder. However due to injuries to the backline, Powers has been plugged in at CB and has done a respectable job. In OC’s last seven games, Powers and the defensive unit have accounted for five clean sheets.
THE MATCHUP
This is now the second season all-time for this matchup between the two clubs. Last season Monterey got the better of OC in both matchups however both teams are much different from when they last met. Both clubs as well are playing very well at the moment with this matchup being a good test for both. This game will be much different from the defensive struggle last week in Detroit so expect a few more goals this time around. Orange County are looking to earn their first points ever against Monterey in this California derby.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship)
When - July 1, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - WWLWD
MBFC Form - WWWWD
All-Time Matchup - 0-2-0
TV - ESPN+, Bally Sports SoC