Two games down, two positive results for the Orange and Black. In their third week of the season, OC will play at home for the first time. It will mark the start of the eighth season played in the friendly confines of Championship Soccer Stadium, and the 11th overall in the city of Irvine.
This weekend’s visitors? The Miami FC, who are facing OCSC for just the third time ever. Orange County SC are the heavy favorites and will look to take care of business in front of a raucous, sell-out home crowd.
THE OPPONENT - MIAMI FC
Officially known as “The Miami FC” for legal reasons, The Miami FC are legally the only professional soccer team to play in the city of Miami. They are one of the more interesting soccer clubs in the USL, with a club history that spans across multiple leagues. The USL Championship is there fourth league, an impressive feat when one learns that The Miami FC was only established in 2015. Before the USL, they had stops in the NASL, NPSL and NISA. In a way, they have a history of only being promoted. But actual on-field success has been hard to come by, as last year was the third consecutive year that The Miami FC missed the playoffs.
However, this year’s The Miami FC has an almost entirely new playing squad and coaching staff, led by Antonio Nocerino. The former AC Milan and Orlando City SC midfielder took over as head coach late last year. The Italian international will lead the first away game for Miami in 2024. The Miami FC defeated Colorado Springs 2-0 to open the year, but were bested by Sacramento last week, losing 1-0. It is also a very young team that Miami will field with at least three of their starting XI being under 21 years of age. Miami will have their work cut out for them if they are to make the postseason.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Only three notable players remain from Miami’s 2023 squad. One of those is Ben Ofeimu. Initially a rotation option, the young center back finished the season with 14 consecutive starts and managed to notch his sole goal of the 2023 season during that run. Only 23, if he can continue developing, then he could become the key piece on a very young team. Former OC player Ben Mines is another returnee, and another player to look out for. The winger made 22 appearances last season, scoring once in just under 800 minutes. The winger will certainly look for more success in Irvine, this time with another club.
On the orange side of things, the spotlight is going to be on a former Miami player: Christian Sorto. The forward will asked to be a significant contributor to OC’s goal-scoring tally. With The Miami FC last year, Sorto scored five goals and assisted once in 33 appearances. In just 41 minutes for Orange County, the forward has already matched last year’s output, notching an assist last week in Pittsburgh. Look for him to be a big part in the offense, whether starting or coming off the bench.
THE MATCH UP
This is going to be just the third match up ever between the two sides, with all three matches happening in consecutive years. A goal has never been scored when OC and Miami face off, with two 0-0 draws, once in California and once in Florida. From one stat to another, we look at OCSC and home openers. It is not the most impressive, but in 13 previous home openers Orange County are a pedestrian 4-7-2. Orange County should be able to improve themselves in both those categories this Saturday.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Miami FC (USL Championship)
When - March 23, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - WD
MIA Form - LW
All-Time Matchup - 0-0-2
TV - CBS Sports-Golazo, Bally Sports SoCal