After three consecutive losses over the past few weeks, Orange County SC pushed for a crucial victory against FC Tulsa. Danny Stone made some small changes to the formation that he hoped would make a big difference this weekend.
FIRST HALF:
The starting XI consisted of players who have all made an appearance this season but were not formatted quite like this. To help the defense, Coach Stone decided to pair Kevin Partida and Nico Benalcazar at the defensive midfield spot, while the offense saw Lyam Mackinnon take over in the striker role.
The match started out with a lot of back-and-forth between the two teams, each entering the final third of their opponents' multiple times but with no dangerous chances created on either side. Meanwhile, it seemed like it would be quite an aggressive match, and the referee was not having it, with two yellow cards and a handful of free kicks given in the first ten minutes.
Tulsa had the first big opportunity of the evening. Owen Damm had the ball on the left side. He cut toward the center and sent a rocket toward the goal. Colin Shutler was caught off guard, jumping a little late, but luckily, the ball hit the woodwork, keeping things even.
The biggest issue for this OCSC squad lately has been their confidence in the build-up play and the chemistry between the players. The first half showed some huge improvement on both fronts. It seemed like the midfield and defense were in perfect unison, as any time the ball was lost, a player in blue and orange was immediately there to pick it up and push the ball forward again.
This newfound chemistry between the squad resulted in a near-perfect moment in the 23rd minute. Mackinnon tried to cross the ball into the box, but the Tulsa defense blocked it. However, Benalcazar got the rebound and sent a through ball to Cameron Dunbar just outside the six. He took a quick shot that would have found the back of the net if it wasn't for an amazing sliding block from a Tulsa defender.
After that, The County Boys put constant pressure into the final third, earning a few corner kicks that created some solid chances on goal with shots coming from all over the pitch. Vuk Latinovich, Tom Brewitt, and Mackinnon all took shots toward goal. Yet, it was Benalcazar who had the best crack at scoring.
In the 42nd minute, after getting the ball into the box, Tulsa tried to clear the ball away, but once again, the rebound was picked up by the Orange County midfield. It was passed to Benalcazar, who took his chance from 10 yards outside the box and aimed the shot toward the far corner. Goalkeeper Johan Penaranda was forced to make a diving save to keep the game level at halftime.
SECOND HALF:
With 14 shots, 4 of which were on target and 55% possession, Orange County SC had the momentum going into the second half to break the scoreline deadlock.
However, an early injury saw captain Tom Brewitt forced off the pitch and Ashton Miles taking his place.
Despite the injury to a key player for this squad, the County Boys did not lose their momentum. In the 55th minute, Miles immediately impacted the match after a one-touch pass forward to Mackinnon left him one-on-one with Penaranda. He chipped the ball over the goalkeeper for the opening goal and his first of the season. Orange County now led 1-0.
Mackinnon was in the perfect spot to make it a brace ten minutes later when Kyle Scott recovered from a foul to send the ball to the striker just outside the six. He attempted a volley, but it was sent straight into the arms of Penaranda.
FC Tulsa started to find their own rhythm with some solid build-up, getting the ball into the box a few times to create some unease in OCSC. But that was their undoing, as a defensive mistake opened a goal-scoring opportunity for the opponents.
Starting with a wonderful switch to the left side, the ball was crossed through the middle of the pitch. Some miscommunication in the OC defense allowed Taylor Calheira to take a shot unopposed in the box. An unfortunate deflection secured the goal, and Tulsa was able to equalize in the 74th minute.
The equalizer did not demoralize the boys in orange and blue, however. Mohamadou War came on to replace Byrce Jamison and added some fantastic energy to the attack. He had a near-perfect chance on goal after Dunbar crossed into the center. He connected a perfect header directed down, but Penaranda made another brilliant save to prevent another lead.
Yet only a couple of minutes later, Mackinnon would find his brace. Ryan Doghman won the ball on the left side and dribbled toward the center. He passed to Mackinnon on the edge of the box, who turned and sent an amazing shot into the near corner of the net that caught Penaranda on his heels. With only ten minutes remaining, Orange County had a 2-1 lead.
The County Boys held on for the remainder of the match and secured all three points for the weekend.
OVERVIEW:
It only took a couple of small tweaks to the formation for big changes to be shown on the pitch. This weekend may have been Orange County SC's best performance from start to finish this season, with a huge victory against FC Tulsa, a tough Western Conference opponent.
The pairing of Kevin Partida and Nico Benalcazar in the defensive midfield roles was crucial in allowing their team to prevent Tulsa from gaining much ground in the final third. Each had 11 interceptions that secured a 53% possession throughout the entire match.
There were so many great performances in this match that it's impossible to mention everyone, but Kyle Scott, Ashton Miles, Vuk Latinovich, and Bryce Jamison were all amazing on the ball in helping to find all three points. But obviously, the biggest standout is Lyam Mackinnon, who not only got his first goal with Orange County but even found a brace. The second goal, especially, was a pinpoint laser of a shot that proved he will be integral to the success of this team.
The defense is still looking for its first shutout of the season, but this squad's chemistry has grown tremendously, and a complete team performance earned the County Boys all three points.
Next week, they will be on the road for Orange County SC's first battle against an eastern conference side against North Carolina FC on Friday, May 9th, at 4:00 PM PST.