Temperamental Rivalry Matchup With Plenty At Stake

In the span of about a week or so, the mood of the 2023 season has quickly changed tones. 

In a league that is often as chaotic as the USL can be, Orange County SC now find themselves struggling to score goals and gain points. There is consolation in the fact that a majority of the top teams in the West, like OC, are also playing sub-par as well. However this means that there is now a 4-team tie in the middle of the table all vying for home-field advantage in the playoffs. While Sacramento and San Antonio still reside at the top there are three teams tied for third with 47 points each. These three are Orange County, San Diego, and Phoenix; with an extra Colorado Springs also having 46 points. Orange County now finds itself right in the middle of what is shaping up to be an absolutely brutal last two weeks of the season.

Orange County need to find their form again if they are not to waste what has been a good bounce-back season. After the lengthy winning streak had come to an end, OC are now beginning a winless streak and at a bad time. While it should not be panic time yet, Orange County must be able to capitalize on what remaining regular season games they have left. And what better way to start winning again than at the expense of Phoenix Rising FC. 

THE OPPONENT - PHOENIX RISING FC

If there were ever a thorn in the side of Orange County, it would be Phoenix and vice-versa. These two teams always seem to be on collision courses with one another. This time around it will not be any different either. Phoenix are having a very similar season to that of OC in that it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. After an abysmal 2022, Rising FC are back to their usual place towards the top of the West. This is in part thanks to the play of their forward core namely the duo of Daniel Trejo and Manuel Arteaga, who are respectively first and fourth each in the golden boot race. The two have combined for 32 of the team’s 52 goals scored this year. There is really not a noticeably weak link to be found in the squad. Thus it might come as a surprise that they are not higher up in the table already. A mediocre start might be the reason why but OC will need to play their best game of the season this Saturday and with good reason. For the past three months, Phoenix have had one game where they beat an opponent by 5 or more goals at home. While Detroit were this month’s sacrifice, OC themselves are not exactly immune to getting destroyed on the road this year. 

This matchup for Phoenix is just as important for them as it is for OC. The likes of OC, Oakland, and San Diego all hold one game in hand on the other playoff teams including Phoenix who are far from guaranteeing a home game in the postseason. To end their regular season Phoenix will play host to OC this Saturday the 30th before facing New Mexico and Colorado Springs. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Trejo and Arteaga are the obvious offensive threats that have already been mentioned. One person that flies a bit under the radar is that of Carlos Harvey in the midfield. The Panamanian might best be known to OC fans for his time within the LA Galaxy franchise however he is one of the most in-form players for his current side. In the last two matchups, Harvey notched a goal and an assist to add to his 5 goals total this season. Likewise former OC keeper Patrick Rakovsky will very likely be a part of the 18 for Phoenix. 

On the orange side of things remains a lot of questions with regards to player availability and who can consistently score goals. They will again be without the services of Bryce Jamison who was called up to the USMNT U-17 youth camp. It has become apparent that OC’s success comes when the midfield is at full power and that includes having both Kyle Scott and Kevin Partida in the mix. On top of this there are a lot of question marks as to who can OC rely on being ready for the playoffs and who they cannot. It is rumored that there are a few pieces making their returns however Orange County likes to keep a tight ship with regards to who is available and who is not. We will however put the spotlight on Markus Nakkim, the fairly new captain of OCSC and one of the better acquisitions. In his first season, Nakkim the Norwegian has made 28 appearances for the club and even as a defender has scored twice. 

THE MATCHUP

The Orange County-Phoenix matchup is the oldest active matchup for OC with this Saturday being the 31st meeting all-time. Phoenix holds the slight advantage in the category and have also won the only postseason game. Likewise this is one of those home-dominated matchups. The last time Orange County won in the desert was way back in 2018. Phoenix did win the first leg this season with a 1-0 victory in OC with Arteaga scoring the only goal. 

There are two possible scenarios in which OC can punch their ticket into the 2023 postseason. If OC were to WIN on Saturday, then they would also need 2 of the 3 following matchups to go their way: Monterey Bay loses/draws to San Diego, RGV loses/draws to Colorado Springs, or El Paso loses to Charleston. Again just two of those three are needed. Likewise if OC were to draw against Phoenix then they would also need BOTH Monterey Bay and RGV to lose their games. As the season gets older and older, the clinching scenarios get simpler and simpler. 

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - @ Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)

When - September 30, 7:30 PM PST

Where - Phoenix Rising Stadium (Phoenix, AZ) 

OCSC Form - LLDWW

PRFC Form - DDWDW

All-Time Matchup - 9-13-8

TV - ESPN+