Late Game Heroics, Teenager Espy Scores Winner
Orange County experienced a familiar face in a different role this week, as longtime keeper Colin Shutler made his return to Championship Soccer Stadium with a new team, Colorado Springs Switchbacks. In a defensive game that featured few opportunities for both teams, the faithful county team had to wait until late in the game for a dramatic winner from teenager Tyson Espy, just days after his announced call-up to the US U-17 national team.
Manager Danny Stone tweaked his lineup for this game, introducing a new attacking duo in Ethan Zubak and Marcelo Palomino. He also restored Espy to the back line, allowing Nico Benalcazar to move into the midfield position opened up by the move of Palomino. Orange County finishes week three maintaining a still intact undefeated record for the 2026 campaign, with Alex Rando obtaining his first USL Championship clean sheet for the County Boys.
First Half:
Orange County wasted no time in this game testing Shutler in his return to Irvine Great Park, as a lovely cross in the 5th minute from right back Mouhamadou War soared just over the head of a leaping Zubak, before ultimately landing at the feet of Chris Hegardt. After chesting the ball to the ground, Hegardt’s shot was saved by the Switchback’s #22 leg and out for corner.
Colorado’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 27th minute, as a clever dribble and pass from Levonte Johnson to a running and sliding Adrien Pérez remained just out of reach.
Beyond this, there were no further chances created by either side for the rest of the first half as Colorado Springs’ strategy of enforcing a high press created trouble for the County in the middle of the pitch. The strategy was successful in forcing multiple turnovers, challenging Orange County to play from the back as the team would traditionally have done. The home side was able to stymie any chances created by the high press in return, limiting any potential moments for the Switchbacks to generate any shots on target of their own.
Second Half:
The second half of the game brought adjusted tactics from Orange County in an attempt to bolster their offence. Moving away from short, ground-based passing through the midfield, the team began utilizing long, cross-field switches to stretch the pitch.
In the 63rd minute, a mistake back pass from Stephen Kelly led to incidental contact from Orange County Captain Tom Brewitt on a Switchbacks attacking Khori Bennett, leading to a yellow card despite some protest from the visitors of potential for DOGSO. This was the only such disciplinary action in the game.
In the 69th minute, Colorado Springs nearly capitalized on a midfield interception shortly after, as Bennett broke into the box for a clear look at goal. However, Brewitt redeemed the earlier error with a perfectly timed sliding block to deny the strike.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 90th minute. A short free kick was played to Ousmane Sylla, whose shot deflected off the back of a Switchback’s defender and high up into the sky. Colorado Springs’ Talen Maples attempted a clearance that bounced off the grass, right into a calm volley shot from teenager Tyson Espy, who hammered the ball in for his first career goal that would win the game for the hosts.
After four further minutes of scoreless stoppage time, Orange County and keeper Alex Rando secured their second consecutive clean sheet of the season after their midweek Open Cup Game, and first in the USL Championship for the 2026 campaign.
With the three points secured, Orange County exits Week 3 with their unbeaten streak to start the season preserved and a wealth of momentum. The night belonged to the club's next wave movement, as Tyson Espy’s winner provided the definitive answers to Colorado Springs’ high-pressure tactics.
Orange County moves on in week four campaign with a road matchup on the evening of Saturday, March 28th against current early season Western Conference leaders Oakland Roots at the Oakland Coliseum, with kickoff currently set for 5pm PST.
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