July 15th, Match #20 - Orange County SC @ Loudoun United FC
Pivotal Game That Could Make or Break Postseason Chances
After getting shutout in their last game against Rio Grande Valley, Orange County are now on the outside looking in. While last week’s game could have gone better the boys in Orange must shift their focus on another road game. This time their adventures in USL scheduling takes them to the state of Virginia to face off against Loudoun United FC.
Both teams in this matchup have to start picking up their form and play better in the second half of the season to qualify for the postseason. As it currently is, Orange County is 11th in the Western Conference and three points back of both Phoenix and New Mexico for the final two playoff spots. Loudoun on the other hand are 9th in the Eastern Conference and one point Indy for the eighth seed. Orange County actually has the better record overall but the Eastern Conference is a much weaker conference.
This will be the 22nd match of the year for Loudoun which is the most in the USL up to this point in the season.
THE OPPONENT - LOUDOUN UNITED FC
Loudoun United is a bit of a newer USL franchise but one that has a bit of backstory to it. First of all Loudoun is not a city but rather is a county located in northern Virginia. This makes Loudoun United one of two current USL teams to be named after the county that they play in (you have a good idea on who the other one is). Knowing this is not necessarily important but what is important is that this season is the first time that Loudoun is an independent side. The Virginia side played their first season in 2019 where they were founded as the reserve side of D.C. United in the MLS. As most reserve sides in the USL, the results did not always come easy and this has resulted in Loudoun having yet to qualify for the USL playoffs in their existence.
However came the great reserve team exodus before this season that saw all “2” teams and reserve sides make the move to the MLS Next Pro league. However, like RGV, Loudoun were sold to a new ownership group and are now their own club. D.C. United are still minority owners but Loudoun can now do what all independent teams can do. While the new ownership group has come in, the results unfortunately have remained the same. The defense in particular has been the weakest link as they have conceded 36 goals, which is 2nd in the league only to last place Hartford. It is a bit crazy to think that Loudoun is only a point back from the playoffs when they have only won once in their last six games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
With the season about halfway through, it has become apparent for all USL teams which players have stepped up to the plate. While the defense for Loudoun could be improved, the offense has been steady all season long. Thanks in part to this is that of forward Zach Ryan. The former New York Red Bull has scored 9 goals this season to go along with his two assists. Ryan scored the only Loudoun goal in their midweek draw against Detroit. One player that we will not see on Saturday is forward Tommy Williamson. The Villa Park native has four goals this season but was sent off in Detroit. With regards to the backline, they have gotten reinforcements in the forms of loans. The loan in question is Jake Morris who comes over from Columbus Crew SC. The defender will likely figure to make his fifth appearance for Loudoun.
On the orange side of things Ashish Chatta will likely slide into the midfield in place of Kyle Scott who will be serving a one-game suspension due to yellow-card accumulation. Chatta does have one assist on the season yet has been snake-bitten when looking for his first professional goal. He has come close on a number of occasions and will have a very good chance this Saturday.
THE MATCHUP
This is the second matchup all-time between these two clubs as they played last season in Irvine. Orange County would win that game 3-1 and in brutal honesty are going to need three points this game for championship sakes.
Another theme in this matchup will be discipline as both teams have players suspended due to on-field actions. This has been an issue for Loudoun this year as they have had a player sent off three times in their last five games.
This will be the first time that Orange County has played in the Commonwealth of Virginia since a 1-1 draw against the Richmond Kickers back in 2013.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Loudoun United FC (USL Championship)
When - July 15, 4:30 PM PST
Where - Segra Field (Leesburg, VA)
OCSC Form - LWWWL
LOU Form - DLWLL
All-Time Matchup - 1-0-0
TV - ESPN+