The 2025 USL Championship campaign is going to be the biggest season yet for the league. It will be the league’s fifteenth season overall, eighth season with division two sanctioning, and the first season with all USL teams taking part in the Jagermeister Cup. This season will feature 24 teams competing across two conferences.
For Orange County, this could perhaps be the start of a new era. The Southern California side has seen a number of club stalwarts move on with notable players like Seth Casiple, Dillon Powers and Markus Nakkim departing. The squad should still be quite competitive.
The goal for Orange County SC is to win another cup, but Orange County must first make it to the playoffs. If OCSC does advance to the postseason in 2025, then it will mark the first time in club history that they go to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons and become the longest playoff streak in club history as well.
Sports seasons are definitely more marathons than sprints, but OC will begin their race with three straight home games to start the year. Their first visitors are the Oakland Roots, a team that has gotten the better of Orange County in recent memory.
THE OPPONENT - OAKLAND ROOTS SC
The Oakland Roots had a bit of a rollercoaster offseason. Last season they were one and done in the playoffs and, like Orange County, saw a number of veterans depart the club, including Johnny Rodriguez and assists leader Memo Diaz. The similarities to Orange County continue off the pitch as well, with head coach Gavin Glinton returning for his first full season as head coach following an interim spell last year.
Of course Oakland would bring in reinforcements to fill out the roster, with some notable ones being Peter Wilson and Jurgen Damm. Wilson is a Liberian international coming over from Norwegian side FK Jerv. Last season he scored 18 goals in 25 games. He will be looked towards as the main attacking threat for Oakland and he is someone that Orange County cannot lose track of. Jurgen Damm might be the biggest name brought into Oakland. The Mexican right back has spent time with Tigres, America, Atletico San Luis and Pachuca, to new a few teams, but he was brought in an larger overall effort to correct a shoddy defensive line last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The one Oakland acquisition who I did not mention previously is that of Panos Armenakas. Born in Newport Beach, Oakland is his fourth different USL club in three seasons.
That number does include when he was a Loudoun United player for a solid three days in 2023.
Last season, Armenakas split time between Phoenix Rising and the now defunct Memphis 901 FC, but the winger had a very quiet year, only netting three goals and two assists. Panos is a playmaker but might be looking to prove something in 2025.
On the orange side of things, the broken record keeps being played: Colin Shutler is coming off his best season as a professional, with career highs in both saves and shutouts last year. There was a point in time where Colin was seen as being nothing more than backup keeper, but since joining the club in 2022, he has without a doubt earned the starting spot.
Last season, there was a point where it did seem as if the team lived and died by his performances. This season is shaping up to have the same narrative, with the defense seemingly taking a back seat in team priorities. If things go well, then the new and improved OC offense will score enough goals to put games out of reach, but until that is proven it is Colin Shutler who will win games for OC.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
This is a new facet that will be added to the pregame articles. Myself and another member of the Orange&Black SoccerCast will be giving our predictions of what we think Orange County SC will look when they take the field. For the first rendition of this, we call upon D.K. Jenks to give us his insight:
D.K. Jenks
Sylla Zubak Dunbar
Scott Partida Hegardt
Doghman Brewitt Benalcazar Doody
Shutler
D.K. is looking at a 4-3-3, with really no questions about the midfield or goalkeeper. Ousmane Sylla slots in at left wing in his formation thanks to his versatility and offensive prowess. Three quarters of the backline are new acquisitions, along with Tristan Trager, a possible substitute later on in the match.
Nathan Wander
War Zubak Dunbar
Scott Partida Hegardt
Doghman Brewittt Benalcazar Doody
Shutler
I too believe in the 4-3-3. However, I believe War will get the starting nod. Sylla will remain as the one of the few midfield depth players we have and get subbed in where needed. Other than that, I do agree with every other position and hoping that Ashton Miles will come on later in the game to provide defensive support.
THE MATCH UP
The Orange County-Oakland rivalry has seen both teams steal wins from each other in both the regular season and the postseason. Orange County does hold a slight advantage in the overall record, at 6-1-4. However, four of five of Orange County’s wins (including the lone postseason match) came all the way back in 2021. Since then it has been Oakland who have gotten the better of OC, both home and away. This will be the first time that both teams play each other to open the season.
Historically, Orange County has not been the best team in opening games: OC has not won a regular season opener since 2017. This will be the 8th year of Orange County playing at Championship Soccer Stadium and 15th season as a professional club.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Oakland Roots SC (USL Championship)
When - March 8th, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - LWWDW
OAK Form - LLWLD
All-Time Matchup - 6-1-4 (11 Matchups)
TV - ESPN+, FanDuel Sports SoCal