Orange County Face Another Title Favorite to Start Season
Game one of the year has come and gone, and Orange County sure made it memorable. Sofiane Djeffal, Ethan Zubak, and Christian Sorto each made their debuts for the club. Seth Casiple scored the first goal of the season, and his second for Orange County SC. But the main story line was about the man who scored the second goal of the year. Thanks to the heroics of one Colin Shutler, who headed home a cross from a corner, OC salvaged a point in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time.
Just like that OCSC stole a point on the road against a very strong Sacramento side. But the schedule does not get any easier as OCSC visits the Steel City to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
THE OPPONENT - PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC
The Riverhounds had an incredible regular season in 2023. Albert Dikwa claimed the USL MVP and a Golden Boot, Arturo Ordoñez won Defender of the Year, and Head Coach Bob Lilley earned a Coach of the Year nomination as well. This all came in the culmination of the 2023 Players’ Shield, their first piece of silverware in the USL Championship.
But it all came crashing down when they were upset at home against 8th seeded Detroit City FC in the first round. Then Dikwa, Ordoñez, and goalkeeper Jamahli Wait left.
Lilley, however, is still at the helm, and he is leading a fair number of new faces. While both of their award winners from 2023 have departed, the midfield has remained largely intact. Headlined by the USL all-time assist leader Kenardo Forbes, the Riverhounds midfield still plays a key role in such a direct, counter-attacking side.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pittsburgh’s dominance comes from their ability to limit opposition chances and break forward quickly. Like many of Lilley’s teams throughout the years, the Riverhounds defend as one big unit, blocking off passing lanes in the midfield and forcing their opponents into riskier passes. Unique from high-pressing sides, Pittsburgh often reserves their most aggressive pressing for heavy touches, second balls and players with their backs to goal. This system was great in 2023 thanks in part to midfielder Danny Griffin. Building from his 27 appearances last year, expect Griffin to work in tandem with Forbes to suffocate Orange County attacks.
On the orange side of things, we are also looking at the midfield. The man who scored OC’s first of the year: Seth Casiple. Now in his fifth season in Orange County, he’s found a role in being a reliable veteran presence, capable of changing the game from the starting 11 or off of the bench. And if week one is anything to go by, he’s brought his shooting boots on the road. Look for Casiple to have another good year, and look to the Orange County midfield for success against Pittsburgh.
THE MATCHUP
Owen Lambe (right) pictured early on in last year’s match against the Riverhounds. OC won 1-0 thanks to a Milan Iloski goal. Photo courtesy of Orange County SC.
Pittsburgh and Orange County are two of three original teams from the inaugural USL season back in 2011. But this will be just the ninth meeting between the sides. In the previous eight matches, Orange County has won five and only lost once, back in August 2014. In the reverse fixture last year, OC ran out 1-0 winners, inflicting the Riverhounds’ only loss in a two-month span. Saturday’s game will serve as the home opener for Pittsburgh as they celebrate their 25th anniversary as a club.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship)
When - March 16, 4:00 PM PST
Where - Highmark Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
OCSC Form - D (LWWW from 2023)
PIT Form - L (LDWW from 2023)
All-Time Matchup - OC 5-1-2
TV - ESPN+