One Win Down, Three More to Go
The game was never in doubt for Orange County. Dillon Power’s breakthrough goal late into extra time lifted the Oranges above Memphis 901 FC and into the Western Conference Semifinals. Memphis never did seem to threaten Shutler nor the OC backline but it did take the full 120 minutes and playing up a man for OC to score its first postseason goal.
Even more important was the fact that Orange County did not pick up any injuries nor was anyone suspended for the next game. Thus OC makes it past the first round of playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in club history. While the win against Memphis will be seen as an upset on paper the truth of the matter is that Orange County were the favorites to advance and did. However this will not be the case in the semifinals when Orange County travels to Colorado Springs and face off against the Switchbacks. This game was originally scheduled for November 9, however due to heavy snow in the area the game was postponed one day and will now be played on Sunday, November 10th at 3:30 PST.
THE OPPONENT - COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
Colorado Springs entered the postseason as the 2 seed in the West after a massive jump up the standings on the last day of the regular season. They had been a very consistent side throughout the year and did so while navigating multiple international call ups for a number of its players. The Switchbacks ended the season about average to what their record indicates but did enough to claim home field for the first two rounds of playoffs. This is something that has definitely been an advantage for them as in three postseason games hosted at Weidner Field they have a perfect 3-0 record.
In their quarterfinal matchup, the Switchbacks easily dispatched Oakland with a goal from Jairo Henriquez and a Ronaldo Damus-converted penalty in a match they never looked back from. Unlike Memphis from last week the Switchbacks do have a history of deep playoff runs and they will be looking to return to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2022. In fact they have quietly been a very consistent playoff member for the past couple of seasons which is something not even Orange County can say.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ronaldo Damus. That is all that is needed to say. A player who has always come up biggest in the postseason will get another opportunity to add to his impressive USL resume. Damus in his USL career with Orange County, San Diego, and Colorado Springs has already scored eight times in the postseason including one this postseason. Damus’ speed is his biggest strength and he will easily be the biggest problem for the Orange County backline. If Orange County are going to have success they cannot let Colorado Springs score the first goal of the game.
On the orange side of things, Dillon Powers scored his first goal of the year last week but might have been the most important one of the year. The center back is in his fourth year with the club and is one of just two players suiting up that were on the 2021 championship winning side. The center back converted from a midfielder has only scored twice for OC making his first postseason goal for OC that much sweeter.
THE MATCHUP
Orange County and Colorado Springs faced off in the 2021 Western Conference quarterfinals in a game that saw Orange County come away with the 1-0 victory en route to a USL title. That one goal was of course scored by Ronaldo Damus. Including that game puts Orange County as having a slight advantage in the all-time record between the two teams at 9-2-8 with the regular season series being split between the two sides. But playing at Weidner Field has not been the easiest for OC with them just winning once in their four trips this far. The winner of this match will head to Las Vegas for the Western Conference final.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship WC Semifinals)
When - November 10th, 3:30 PM PST (was 11/9)
Where - Weidner Field (Colorado Springs, CO)
OCSC Form - WWDWW
COS Form - WWWLL
All-Time Matchup - 9-2-8 (19 Matchups)
TV - ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network, KCAL+