Top 5 Western Conference Matchup and a Playoff Rematch
Nine league matches in and Orange County SC find themselves in a surprising first place in the West. Orange County has not been the most impressive of teams and have seen defeat 3 times in their first 12 games of the season. They have fortunately seen 2 of those 3 losses confined to outside competitions. They are also winning games that should have been draws. Three of their last four wins saw the game-winning goal scored in the second half. For a team that is still figuring some things out about themselves, these gritty defensive wins are much appreciated bonus points. This is especially the case later in the season when home field advantage becomes important for seeding.
Jamir Johnson
Orange County’s schedule to begin the year is a tough one, on paper. However the rest of the Western Conference besides El Paso and San Antonio have all failed to launch. This includes the next opponent Sacramento Republic who have won two games in the league so far. There are a lot of frequent playoff teams either right at the playoff line or below but one would assume they will eventually correct things. For now though, OC have been the benefactor of their own results and some outside ones as well.
Saturday’s matchup will be a very tightly contest one with it being a rematch of last years Western Conference quarterfinals. A very historical matchup by USL standards with this league match being the 33rd all time matchup (only Phoenix has more games for active teams). This will also be the first game of a very road heavy month of May and June. Of the next 10 games played, only ONE of them will be home game with it being the Santa Ana game on May 23rd. This could be a make-or-break stretch for Orange County.
THE OPPONENT - SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
Sacramento were a very strong team in 2025. They saw a second place finish in the Western Conference and got to the USL Cup Final as well. Sacramento was a team to be feared, except when they played Orange County. The Orange & Black not only gave Sacramento one of its two losses in the USL Cup but more importantly ended their season with a massive upset in the postseason. If I had a nickel for every time a low seeded OC team upset a vastly more talented Sacramento team on the road in a shootout, I would have two nickels. Which is super funny. Add in a Colin Shutler goal, a Juan Santana spoiling of their 10 year anniversary and I cannot think of any other team who dislikes Orange County more than Sacramento in the past couple of seasons.
The defense for Sacramento was very good in 2025 and they basically retain the same group for 2026. It will be the offense that sees massive overhaul and will be the one under the biggest spotlight. However for as much talent that departed Sacramento they brought in enough talent that should fix it. While OC have won the close games, Sacramento have only been able to draw them. They will be a playoff team that has what is needed to win trophies but are they able to end what is becoming a lengthy drought?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Danny Vitiello is the best goalkeeper in the USL. This is not that outlandish to say. The reigning golden glove winner holds a boatload of both club and league records in every major statistical category for goalkeepers. But it has not been the most amazing of starts for his standards in 2026. In just 7 league games, Vitiello has conceded 5 goals. This includes goals to some weaker opponents like Monterey Bay and Brooklyn. I have talked about Vitiello a lot in these pregame reports and it comes with good reason. He is the best goalkeeper in the USL and makes scoring goals against Sacramento that much more important.
On the orange side of things, Jamir Johnson was another young player signed by Orange County for 2026. Johnson is only 17 years of age and has been a starter up at the right wing for a number of games. Johnson will likely be making his 7th overall appearance and is still looking for his first goal for the club. He has gotten chances including a grade A one in OC’s last league game against Lexington but Johnson does have expectations of becoming a serviceable player. When Johnson does score his first goal, expect a lot more to follow. Sometimes a player just needs one to really open things up. I do expect Johnson to open up his account on Saturday.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
Back to the regular season for OC and back to a lineup that is very much the norm.
This is the first defensive struggle that Orange County will see. They actually did bring in a new loan-in winger that was announced this week. Brandon Cambridge is a 24 year old winger which OC could use more of. Funny enough he does have both USL and MLS experience with his previous team that he saw minutes for being Sacramento Republic FC. The only injuries that we are aware of at the moment are Bunbury and Ciotta. Expect Nico Benalcazar to factor into the game as well.
THE MATCHUP
Fireworks always seem to follow this matchup wherever it goes. Ultimately both teams have championship pedigree and have seen nearly everything happen. Continuing the trend of big matchups is another important game for both teams who have some things to prove. Keeping the ball out of the net for OC will be the main priority and they have proven to do so especially in away games. Coincidentally, both teams are coming off draws to lackluster opposition in the regular season. After 8 matches played, OC still have the best defense in the league and that is something that could still be improved.
Putting the ball into the net is where OC will need to get more consistent. It is nowhere near being the worst mark in the league, but 7 goals in that same span is about middle of the pack for the West. There will not be many chances on goal so whatever they can get will have to do. Against Vitiello especially who has not been as much of a brick wall that he normally is either. Lyam MacKinnon has been the leading goal scorer for OC and can score with limited touches. Using his big frame as an aerial threat along with Zubak has been the missing piece.
League news off the field has the ratification of a new CBA between the league and the players which is appreciated. The schedule for OC will get very difficult from this point out thanks to the USMNT team occupying Irvine for the World Cup. Reasonably speaking if OC are able to take away 16 points from the next 10 games then that would go a long way. A home playoff game come October could hinge on it. Sacramento will look to exorcise some demons and OC will try to keep their good league form.
Did you catch Tuesday’s live show with defender Grayson Doody? If you missed it live, you can always watch the recording on our YouTube channel, or audio-only on Spotify. Please subscribe on YouTube and Spotify!
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
When - May 2nd, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Heart Health Park (Sacramento, CA)
OCSC Form - LDWWL
SAC Form - WDLDW
All-Time Series - 14-6-12 (32 Games)
TV - Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo! Network
