Sporting a brand-new orange kit, Orange County SC welcomed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to The Champ this weekend in hopes of turning their recent bad luck around.
Tristan Trager and Christ Hegardt celebrate Saturday’s opening goal
FIRST HALF:
Danny Stone made some changes to the lineup after a tough loss at home the previous week. Chris Hegardt was back in the starting lineup at central midfield, while Nico Benalcazar took over the right-back position.
Due to a combination of poor passes and strong defensive actions from both teams, this match started as a midfield battle. For the first 20 minutes, neither side could find their way into the final third with any dangerous attempts on goal.
One of the biggest reasons OCSC couldn't create any chances throughout the early part of the game was Colorado completely shutting down the left side of the pitch. Ryan Doghman and Lyam Mackinnon have been a strong pairing the past few weeks on that side, but their opponents' midfield prevented either player from having their normal effect on the match's pace. Orange County’s only hope to find an opening would be on the right side.
Benalcazar got the first shot on target of the night from a corner kick opportunity in the 24th minute. Hegardt sent the ball into the box, but it was long. Still, Benalcazar jumped backward to head the ball toward goal. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough power on the attempt, and it was an easy save to keep things level.
The deadlock would be finally broken in the 28th minute, starting with a set piece at the half. Benalcazar sent the ball upfield and into the box, where Tristan Trager made the run and trapped it in the box. He made a quick turn backward and passed the ball toward the top of the box, where Hegardt was able to slot a shot low in the near corner to open the scoreline 1-0.
The rest of the half was the same: a back-and-forth battle between the two sides. Yet, Colorado almost found their own magic moment in the 44th minute off a free kick. Zack Zandi chipped the ball into the box, but Colin Shutler would leave nothing to chance. He ran off his line and punched the ball away before anyone from Colorado could get a touch on it, ending the half at 1-0 OCSC.
SECOND HALF:
The first 45 minutes were fairly even between the sides, with Orange County SC finding the one moment to give them the edge thanks to Hegardt's goal.
Unfortunately, Tom Brewitt twisted his right knee early in the second half and had to come off. Ashton Miles was subbed on to take over in central defense to try and keep Orange County's lead.
OCSC started to gain some momentum as the match went on and broke into the box a few times. One instance nearly led to a second goal after Mackinnon earned a foul near the sideline. Hegardt crossed the ball into the box, and Vuk Latinovich connected a header to the target, but Christian Herrera was able to parry the shot away.
Five minutes later, the boys in orange and black earned a corner kick. Hegardt stepped up again to take the set piece, sending the ball toward the far post. Benalcazar headed it toward the center, and Cameron Dunbar did a half bicycle kick to slot the ball into the corner of the net to give Orange County a 2-0 lead.
Colorado Springs was not going to give up after being down by two. In the 66th minute, they had three quick passes to get into the box, and Yosuke Hanya cut it back to Anthony Fontana, who took a one-touch shot at the far corner. Shutler made the dive and even got a piece of it, but the ball found the net, and Colorado was back in the match at 2-1.
Only ten minutes later however, Fontana earned his second yellow of the night resulting in his team being down to only ten men and Orange County with the advantage.
Despite being up a man, Orange County was losing control of the match. Colorado was able to dominate possession, raising concerns that the County Boys wouldn't be able to hold onto their lead.
Coach Stone boosted the team with substitutions Mouhamadou War, Pedro Guimaraes, Bryce Jamison, and Kao Santos throughout the second half.
Orange County was able to hold on to their one goal lead for long enough to quell concerns, but in added time they received complete assurance.
Kevin Partida won an interception at the half-line. He tried to send a through ball that was blocked, but he quickly won the ball once again, keeping the momentum forward. War picked up the ball and quickly took a shot. It was an absolute rocket into the top bins to give Orange County SC a 3-1 lead and the victory for the night.
OVERVIEW:
In the previous two weeks, Orange County SC would create a dozen chances and have a barrage of shots on target with nothing to show. The hopes for what the offense could do were very low among fans, and everyone looked at this match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as a must-win to turn the season around. The team did not create as many chances or shots on goals this week but proved that quality over quantity is always better, as three goals were found to secure a victory.
Chris Hegardt, the man of the match, was a huge reason for Orange County's success this weekend. With all his ground and air duels won, an 88% pass rate, one chance created, and the opening goal, Hegardt was fantastic all around the pitch and helped his team earn the necessary three points.
Although Hegardt will be all over the headlines for his performance, Nico Benalcazar cannot be overlooked for how versatile he has been all season. Benalcazar has been the perfect utility player, with this week's right-back performance being the third position he's played in only ten games. Whether it's his free-kick skills, midfield dominance, or defensive composure, he showed once again that he's the man Orange County can rely on for anything.
Also, a much-needed shoutout to Mouhamadou War, who came on in the second half to net an absolute banger of a shot that earned a well-deserved USL Championship Goal of The Week Nomination.
As mentioned above, this week was a crucial victory for Orange County SC. Not because the season would be lost without it but because Orange County will be on the road for the next three matches. Next week, they will face off against Monterey Bay FC in the second round of the Jägermeister Cup on Saturday, 5/31, at 7:00 p.m. PST.
Don’t miss the first and only show dedicated to Orange County Soccer Club, LIVE every* Tuesday at 8pm Pacific on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, or later in the week on Spotify.