Orange County SC have started their season well, at least in a historical context. This is only the third year in which OC have gone undefeated in their first three games. While the team looks good to begin the year, it is not for the reason that everyone expected it to be.
It has been the offense that has stepped up, scoring six goals in three matches, tied for the most in the league. Another very positive stat is that all of OC’s goals have come from a different player. Each of the forwards like Brian Iloski, Cameron Dunbar and Thomas Amang each have gotten their first. Ashton Miles and Seth Casiple have also helped chip in, and… everyone knows about Colin Shutler.
THE OPPONENT
FC Tulsa are looking to improve upon a lackluster 2023 that saw them finish 10th. FC Tulsa are in a sense similar to last week’s opponent Miami. Tulsa are in a bit of a transition period with a new head coach and a fairly new roster. The off season started off very strong when they acquired the services of Justin Portillo, Arthur Rogers, Jeremy Kelly and Charlie Adams. Things looked good until head coach Blair Gavin surprisingly left. To compound matters, both Kelly and Adams also left all before ever making an appearance. Thus new head coach Mario Sanchez had a bit of work to do.
In their first and only game of the season, Tulsa made easy work of Las Vegas with a 3-1 win in the desert. That match saw them jump out to a 3-0 lead with goals coming from Stefan Stojanovic, Phillip Goodrum and Milo Yosef.
But any good result will be welcome for Tulsa, who have historically been mediocre. From their first season in 2015, their highest finish was seventh in the conference and 13th in the league. This has happened twice, but not since the 2020 season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Phillip Goodrum is the biggest attacking threat for Tulsa. Having joined midway through in 2023, Goodrum notched 12 goals in 21 appearances. He is a USL Championship veteran, playing for six different sides and scoring 63 goals whilst doing so. He is again the biggest job for the OC defense, and for one defender in particular who has earned the highest of praises for his
That defender is Ashton Miles. An OC native, born in Fullerton, this is his first full professional season. Ashton Miles is one of the many jewels to come from the OC academy. The 19-year-old has started in each of the first three games of the year and has done quality work for the back line. However it has been his offensive talent where he is turning heads. Miles, a center back, has already notched one goal and one assist to go with a number of goal line clearances.
THE MATCH UP
FC Tulsa have spent time in both the Eastern and Western Conference. This will be the 12th meeting of the sides. Orange County has the slightly better record at 6-4-1, with much of that success coming in recent years. The lone draw happened in 2017, with the last Tulsa victory coming in 2018. Since then it has all been OC, with the Orange and Black winning last year 3-1 in Oklahoma.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
When - March 30, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - DWD
TUL Form - W
All-Time Matchup - 6-4-1
TV - ESPN+, Bally Sports SoCal