The Month of May Was Not Nice to Orange County
The argument can be made that Orange County is in panic mode:
Losers of four consecutive games.
Two goals for, nine goals conceded in that time span.
To compound those matters even more is the fact that Orange County will also be without their starting center back Ashton Miles and head coach Morten Karlsen due to suspension.
At least the jerseys look nice.
To start off the month of June, OCSC welcomes Detroit City FC to Southern California. Le Rouge have gotten off to a very good start in what has been a very strong Eastern Conference to begin the year. However, it has not all been easy going recently. Last time out they got shelled, losing 5-1 against Louisville City.
This makes Saturday’s contest between a pair of teams with a few things in common.
THE OPPONENT - DETROIT CITY FC
Detroit City is a very interesting opponent for Orange County. While very stout in the back, the offense is what has held them back from true success in recent years.
This is the first year at the helm for new head coach Danny Dichio who was formerly an assistant at Sacramento. The Dichio era has gotten off to a very good start with Le Rouge at 5-2-2 and a perfect goal differential of zero.
But offensive woes have returned, as Detroit have been shutout three times in their last six matches.
Detroit this year may be best known for knocking off MLS side Houston Dynamo FC in the fourth round of the Open Cup on penalties. That game saw the shootout reach 11 rounds before Detroit was able to pull away, advancing on a 10-9 scoreline. This was the last time Detroit actually “won” a game in any competition.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Detroit City FC does have a new acquisition that County fans will know. Alex Villanueva played two years for the Orange and Black compiling 56 appearances and scoring once from the left back position. At his new home in Detroit, Alex has already made eight appearances with one assist to his name.
On the orange side of things, Orange County has found success this year when they score goals. Go figure. But OC is not a team that needs three or more goals to win games. When all of the pieces are in play for OC, they are able to score one goal and come away with points.
One could say this is how OC has played for a couple of years now. At the start of this season, Orange County had a boatload of different goal scorers each pitching in with a single goal. But as of late, the offensive output has greatly declined and the forwards are under pressure.
Bryce Jamison is someone who can be the spark offensively. At just 18 years of age, Bryce has made 44 appearances for OC, scoring three times. In the current season, Bryce has been held scoreless in 10 appearances. He is someone who can beat defenders with speed and if he is able to improve his finishing, he will play an important role for Orange County’s future.
THE MATCH UP
This will only be the second all-time match up between the clubs from opposing conferences. The first time being played in Southern California.
The first and only previous time these two clubs played came last year in Detroit, when Orange County was able to tough out a 1-0 victory. That game saw Milan Iloski score the lone goal with Colin Shutler making six saves to earn another shutout.
Currently speaking, OC is on a not very good losing skid at four games. If OC were to fail to take all three points on Saturday, then it will officially be the longest winless streak for Morten Karlsen. As mentioned in an earlier article, Orange County currently have 49 all-time regular season wins at Championship Soccer Stadium.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Detroit City FC (USL Championship)
When - June 1, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium
OCSC Form - LLLLW
DET Form - LLDWD
All-Time Matchup - 1-0-0
TV - Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN+