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It will be quite the momentous day for Orange County SC in what is only a late May game. The reasons for the importance of this game are both positive and negative. Beginning with the negatives of this game. Orange County SC might be the most underperforming team in the Western Conference. They sit 10th in the West only above hapless Lexington SC. Orange County in their last 10 games across all competitions have only won twice. They have yet to hold any team scoreless this season; across all competitions. The offensive based team has scored the third fewest goals in the Western Conference. If things do not turn around then perhaps some serious questions will need to be asked.
But there are plenty of opportunities to right the ship and really there is no better stage for Orange County SC to do so then on Saturday the 24th. For the first time in club history, the game will be televised on KCAL 9. They will be doing so hosting the defending USL champions Colorado Springs. They will also be returning back to orange kits just as it should be intended. Orange County can ill afford to fall deeper and deeper in the standings and will need to pick up as many points as they possibly can, especially with these home games.
THE OPPONENT - COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
The best parties usually lead to not enjoyable mornings after. Colorado Springs won their first ever USL title in league history in 2024. They continued the trend of Western Conference teams winning the biggest trophy so thus they can get a bit of a pass for the fact they go into Saturday’s matchup with OCSC just 9th in the West with only two wins on the season. It was a perfect run for Colorado Springs in the postseason that even saw them end Orange County’s season in the conference semifinals. Like USL champions of old, Colorado Springs saw a number of their offensive pieces depart the club including their leading goal scorer Ronaldo Damus. The defense and midfield remain largely the same from 2024. The club did undergo new ownership being sold to Weidner Apartment Homes (of which Weidner Field gets its name from) with results they hope to remain consistent.
However, like all USL champions, they have gotten off to a lackluster post-championship season. To really start off the season the defense was conceding almost two or three goals each and every game. Seven of their eight first games to be exact. The offense was doing fine but not enough to offset the defense. However since May the defense had begun to step and case in point the offense was the one not scoring. The fact that they already have 5 draws speaks to this perfect equilibrium of mid results. The Switchbacks are coming off their second win of the season after defeating Pittsburgh 1-0 last week and will look to string together wins for the first time this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
One of the heroes of Colorado Springs is 2024 defender of the year candidate Matt Mahoney. Mahoney joined the Switchbacks in 2021 and has helped to transform them into the powerhouse that they are now. In 2024 alone on top of the defender of the year nomination, Mahoney was also on the USL-All League First Team. This included being a league leader in both aerial duels won and interceptions. Mahoney in 2025 has appeared in every league game for Colorado Springs and has even scored a goal.
On the orange side of things, Tom Brewitt was the biggest name brought in on defense for Orange County and he has been consistent for them starting in all of Orange County’s nine league games. Hailing from Liverpool, Brewitt has spent time in both the USL Championship and the English football pyramid before settling with Orange County in 2025. Tom Brewitt has the experience to lead the backline and it will be a combined effort from everyone to ensure that OCSC gets their first clean sheet of the season.
DK Jenks Starting 11
PREDICTED STARTING XI
The only thing that last week’s lineup did not do was score. That is not to say they did not have their fair share of chances because they certainly did. One can even argue that the defense did its job minus the referee giving two penalties to New Mexico. Whatever the case was or is, this is the roster that OC has gone into 2025 with and they will have to live with it.
D.K. like myself believes that Nico Benalcazar slots back in at center back. However he is also giving a nod to Pedro Guimaraes at right back. Likewise not much else is different with the midfield and offense. Trager still gets the start as the main striker and Chris Hegardt will see a start in midfield. It will also be interesting to see the status of Ousmane Sylla if he is able to find his way on the bench.
Nathan Wander starting 11
This is really where the influx of offensive players makes these lineup predictions not at all certain. I do not believe War or Guimaraes will be starting since they played in the academy game on Tuesday. I see no reason why Tristan Trager should not be starting at this point and thus he will be slotted in at the midfield. The backline sees Nico go in for Latinovich. Chris Hegardt will get the start at right mid over Bryce Jamison just to change things up a bit, then if needed he can come on in the second half.
THE MATCHUP
The Orange County-Colorado Springs matchup is getting up there in the number of games played. In fact the Switchbacks are the only team that Orange County have both lost to and beaten in USL playoff matches. The last time these teams played was the 2024 Western Conference semifinals and that saw the hosts score in added extra time en route to Colorado Springs winning the league title. When not considering the postseason, Colorado Springs have gotten the better of Orange County in recent seasons. This comes after OC had dominated the matchup in the early days. Both teams are currently sitting under the playoff line and a win would go a long way for both teams.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL Championship)
When - May 24th, 6:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - LLWLL
COS Form - WDLDL
All-Time Series - 9-2-9 (20 Matchups)
TV - KCAL 9, FanDuel Sports SoCal, ESPN+, KCAL+