Friday Night Fireworks On and Off The Field
No, Orange County cannot clinch a playoff spot just yet.
Orange County can however make the race to clinch the best record in the West much more interesting than it already is with a win on Friday. There really is a lot to unpack in this game preview so before discussing the upcoming game, we will first talk about possibly the biggest news of the season. Orange County’s all-time leading scorer Milan Iloski has agreed to a permanent transfer to Danish side FC Nordsjælland. It is a five year deal that will begin in January of 2024; which means that Milan will remain with Orange County for this regular season and subsequent postseason. It is a tough pill to swallow to see one of the best players in club history move on from Southern California but ultimately it should be a positive move as it is just another of the many profitable transfers of OC players to top-flight European clubs.
In the meantime however Milan and company still have unfinished business in hand with the main goal being a second USL Championship title. With the current run of form now at 9 games undefeated, Orange County see themselves comfortably 3rd in the West just 3 points behind San Antonio for the second spot. The recent success has meant that OC for the moment cannot be jumped ahead of from teams lower on the table like San Diego or Phoenix. Likewise this matchweek of USL action sees a number of intriguing matchups involving teams that OC is in direct competition with.
This weekend in the USL will see San Diego travel to Louisville, San Antonio host Tampa Bay, and Sacramento can clinch a playoff spot against pesky El Paso. In order for Orange County to possibly capitalize this weekend then they must first take care of business against the Switchbacks of Colorado Springs; another team fighting for their playoff lives.
THE OPPONENT - COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
The Switchbacks of Colorado Springs are in a bit of pickle. Entering into this matchup, the trail turns are 8th in the West and have gone winless in their last 3 games. Similar to what OC went through in August, Colorado Springs is in the midst of an absolute gauntlet of a schedule that will see them play Louisville, San Antonio, Orange County, and Sacramento in the month of September. The offense has been the powering force behind their limited success and it showed the last time these two teams played. In the first leg in the Rockies, the Switchbacks handed OC and coach Karlsen their worst loss of the year in a 4-0 shellacking. However in a way that match was the turning point of the season as OC would go on to turn the tide and begin to really show the rest of the league just how much quality they have.
For the Switchbacks, it has been the inconsistency that has killed them. One week they are beating teams like Oakland and Birmingham and then the next they are losing to teams like Monterey Bay and New Mexico. Pair that with a couple of defensive disasters to San Diego and you get a team who are barely keeping their head above water. After the month of September, the schedule does lessen a bit and is favorable for them. But until then they will have to pick up points in Irvine to really ensure postseason soccer.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Springs does have offensive firepower on their roster. The last time these two teams played the focus was on Romario Williams who did end up scoring in that game. From one Jamaican to another the shift now goes to that of Deshane Beckford. This is the third USL team for the left-mid and his second stint with the Switchbacks. Beckford is a 2022 champion with San Antonio FC and in his return to Colorado Springs has accounted for 2 goals to go along with his 4 assists. If OC can keep the offense off the board for the Switchbacks then victory will be easily assured.
On the Orange side of things comes a problem. Do not worry this is a good one to have. The problem in question is who is the goalkeeper that will hold the position. Colin Shutler has been the first choice and has already had to win one competition with Cody Cropper. While Shutler has gone up and above to claim the first team spot, there are a number of new faces that are the focus moving forward. These are goalkeepers Juan Santana and Eric Lopez. First we will look at Eric Lopez; the newest acquisition for OCSC coming over from Austin FC 2 of MLSNP. Lopez is a Westminster native and might be most well known as a member of Los Dos. Lopez is the latest former LA Galaxy II player to join the Orange and Black (Dunbar, Lambe).
The other keeper behind Shutler has actually made some appearances including last week against El Paso. Juan Santana has only made two professional appearances but has recorded a clean sheet in both of them. The El Paso game could have had anyone stand in net for OC and they still would have not conceded, but Santana is the 18-year old from Corona, CA, that has become the feel-good story of the season.
THE MATCHUP
The overall matchup between these two clubs is very even. OC holds the slight advantage all-time including winning the only meeting in the postseason in the first round of the 2021 postseason. In Irvine specifically, Colorado Springs have not won here since the 2017 season. However the last time that OC did beat Colorado Springs was that playoff game. Orange County has gone undefeated in 9 straight regular season games; a club record.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship)
When - September 15, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - DWWWW
COL Form - DLLWD
All-Time Matchup - 8-6-2
TV - ESPN+