Open Cup Collision Course For Common Counterpart
Death, taxes, and Orange County playing Phoenix in a massive game. It was just 3 weeks ago that OCSC traveled to play against Phoenix in what was a fairly low stakes matchup as far as what these two teams are capable of. This particular game in the series will have a new feel to it as it will be the first time that these two teams play each other in the US Open Cup. Perhaps what is more peculiar is that this is the first time that Orange County will play a fellow Western Conference team in the Open Cup. It is not the first time they face a fellow USL team after playing Loudoun United in 2024.
This will also be an opportunity for Orange County to continue their Open Cup run and if they were to advance past Phoenix would only mark the third time in club history they get multiple wins in the tournament season. With MLS teams even entering the third round this year, the Wednesday night matchup definitely has a lot on the line for both clubs. This will already mark the second matchup of the season and Orange County are definitely on a quality run of form.
THE OPPONENT - PHOENIX RISING FC
I am of the opinion that if there were any a good time to play against Phoenix it is definitely now. Phoenix have only won one competitive game this season and that was against NPSL side San Ramon FC in their Open Cup first round matchup. Phoenix in the league have yet to earn 3 points but have settled for 3 consecutive draws, the Orange County 1-1 game included. Phoenix have yet to keep a clean sheet in the league and the defense has been suspect to say the least. This would not necessarily be an issue if they keep drawing games, but last year they were the league leaders with 13 draws. That is losing out on a lot of points. But Phoenix is finding ways to score goals still and they are dangerous from anywhere on the pitch. Orange County knows this first hand as the last goal they have conceded came against Phoenix back on March 14th. That particular goal was a seeing eye shot from distance that beat Rando far post. Phoenix Rising did have a deep Open Cup run to their name when in 2024 they reached the Round of 16. That same run included a game against a fellow USL team so they will look to repeat it in 2026.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
When these teams first played I put the spotlight on Hope Avayevu, the best midfielder for Phoenix. This time we are looking at what should be a high volume goal scorer for Phoenix in that of Juan Carvajal. Carvajal was one of the big offseason acquisitions and through 4 league games, has only appeared in 2. But in his last game he did score the game tying goal against FC Tulsa in the second half. Carvajal is in his first season after coming over from Colombia and at only 22 years of age does have a lot to prove. Carvajal will also look to have a better game against Orange County than the last time he played them when he picked up not one but two yellow cards in a five minute span.
On the orange side of things, Mataeo Bunbury was able to open up his scoring account with his game winning goal last week against Oakland. It was long ball played over top that the Oakland keeper took a risky gamble on. Bunbury would make him pay for it as he dribbled past the keeper and would slot the ball into the back of the net. Bunbury was able to get the start due to Jamir Johnson being on international duty but made the most of it. Bunbury is the younger brother of Teal Bunbury and has made his fair share of stops around several MLS academies. OCSC is his second USL club after he spent a single season with Birmingham Legion. Last year with Timbers 2 he scored 6 goals which was a career high for the now 20 year old forward. Expect him to get another opportunity in some capacity on Wednesday.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
With this Open Cup game having a lot more significance and Orange County beginning a string of 3 consecutive home games in a span of 8 days, expect a very strong lineup.
This is the first time that Danny Stone will coach an OC team past the initial round so we do not have a perfect idea of what we will see. The fact that this is the beginning of a very grueling stretch of games as well means we could either see a lineup like the one above or one that is quite young. What we do know is that both Tyson Espy and Jamir Johnson are both still on international duty with their respective USA youth national teams. Also both Grayson Doody and Ousmane Sylla have now returned to the 18 with really the only other question mark player being Pedro Guimaraes at this point.
THE MATCHUP
The 38th all time game between the two clubs will finally be the first time not sanctioned by the USL. Phoenix Rising will be in the middle of a long road trip as well having come from Tulsa before then playing in Sacramento on Saturday. For Orange County it is the complete opposite as this will be the first of a 3 game home stand and already the fourth home game played this season. Phoenix does hold the overall record as well as being a perfect 2-0 in tournament games like the one on Wednesday. But Phoenix has had trouble in recent trips to Southern California and Orange County are playing in front of a very stout defense which has bode well for them in the past.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Phoenix Rising FC (US Open Cup Second Round)
When - April 1st, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - WWWDD
PHX Form - DDWDL
All-Time Series - 11-10-16 (37 Games)
TV - Golazo Sports Network