Boiling Point in the Desert
With every passing game in 2025, the stakes get higher and higher for Orange County. This early summer game is a perfect example of this. Orange County SC have gone 14 consecutive games without a clean sheet. They are just one bad defensive game away from tying the all-time streak of 15 straight games, which was set across the 2013-and 2014 seasons.
It is still a true statement to say that while Orange County has been lackluster in 2025, the rest of the Western Conference cannot say they are doing much better. With a record of 4-1-5, OC are seventh in the West, and that includes games in hand on the direct competition.
Orange County cannot write off 2025 just yet and they have proven in past seasons to be a team that plays its best soccer towards the end of the season. But Orange County has also had a knack of running into a certain team at just the right moments when they desperately need a positive result. Meeting for the 33rd time in club history, Orange County will look for their first away win of the season when they travel to face Phoenix Rising FC.
THE OPPONENT - PHOENIX RISING FC
It is a bit of a rebuilding year for Phoenix Rising FC, who had quite the adventurous start to the decade. They finally broke through in 2023 winning their first USL Championship title in club history and then followed that up with a disappointing championship hangover that saw them squeak into the postseason before bowing out in the quarterfinals. Taking the reins at manager is Pa-Modou Kah who is in his first full season in charge and is doing so with a bit of revamped lineup from what we normally see.
Rocco Rios Novo has departed, but the club still has Remi Cabral and Pape Mar Boye to lead the club on the pitch. They have exceeded expectations just a bit too as they currently sit fifth in the West and feature the best offense in the conference. However, if there is one area that Phoenix have to improve in, it is their defense: through 11 league games they have already conceded 18 goals, the same amount as last place Lexington SC. There games have been offensive shootouts and that will likely be the case again when Orange County comes to town.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
To add one more wrinkle to the rivalry is the current goalkeeper in net for Phoenix Rising FC. Patrick Rakovsky is back in a starting position in the USL Championship. The 2021 championship hero with Orange County SC is now in his third season with Phoenix Rising FC, but has finally become the main choice in net after spending the last two seasons with minimal appearances. In eight league appearances, he has already registered two clean sheets and has a couple penalty saves to his resume.
On the orange side of things, Cameron Dunbar was brought in to be one of the leading goal scorers from Orange County in 2024. The Carson, CA native had his fair share of time in the MLS with both LA Galaxy and Minnesota United to mixed results. Cameron Dunbar, in 50 appearances with Orange County, has notched five goals to go along with his six assists. Still a bit short of his total goal involvements that he achieved with LA Galaxy II. But the stats do not tell the whole story of Orange County’s most dangerous attacker. Dunbar’s ability to weave through defenses as well as provide service to others tends to make defenses draw towards him, often leaving his teammates unmarked. If Dunbar can really get going offensively then it would fix a number of issues for Orange County.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
Nathan’s Starting 11
The last game saw seven players on the injured list, which may or may not be as serious as it sounds, but still the game against Monterey Bay saw a number of changes to the starting lineup. However, for the return to league play in Phoenix, I do believe that we will return back to a starting-caliber lineup.
Ousmane Sylla and Tristan Trager will come on as substitutions later in the match. Orange County SC will be without the services of both Bryce Jamison and Pedro Guimaraes, who are on international duty. Vuk Latinovich is the center back by choice going forward and Colin Shutler is still in net for the time being. The goal for the match (and future matches) is a clean sheet.
THE MATCH UP
The Orange County-Phoenix rivalry is the longest running for both clubs and has seen playoff matches, fan interactions and players make the dreaded switch. The latest chapter will now see former Phoenix head coach Danny Stone make his return to Arizona. Orange County SC has had very little recent success in Phoenix. They have not won a game there since 2018. It has historically been a hard place to win for visitors and this Saturday will likely be no different. Both teams are currently above the playoff line, but Phoenix are coming into the game on an impressive four game win streak, all against Western Conference playoff contenders.
OC have their work cut out for them.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
When - June 7th, 7:30 PM PST
Where - Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium (Phoenix, AZ)
OCSC Form - LWLLW
PHX Form - WWWL
All-Time Series - 10-9-13 (32 Matchups)
TV - ESPN+
Join County Line Coalition at The Harp Inn in Costa Mesa or BXCR in Anaheim for tonight’s game.