There are two ways to look at the most recent matchup for Orange County SC, a 1-1 draw to New Mexico United on Saturday. One who is hopeful of the team will see it as Orange County being able to earn a draw against a team they have historically not been good against and in a stadium they have not been good in. Those who wish for a bit more will look at it as Orange County not being able to win again on the road and against a team currently below the playoff line.
Whatever the case may be, I was someone who felt both sides of it. When the game ended I felt that OC again wasted another opportunity to capitalize on a weak Western Conference. First place San Antonio lost their game on Saturday too giving OC a wide open door to pounce on but OC could only determine a draw. Then as time moved on, I remembered that Orange County in the league has only lost twice all year. Orange County’s defense kind of bounced back only allowing one goal. The offense did continue their streak of scoring in games but this might be one they wish to forget.
FIRST HALF
Orange County immediately found themselves chasing the game when in just the second minute of the game New Mexico’s Kipp Keller headed home the opening goal. With a wide open header in the middle of the 6 yard box the result of a botched offsides trap, I was not happy. That is now 7 straight games across all competitions of failing to hold a clean sheet. I did state in my preview article for this game that OC needed to score 2 goals to win the game and it did look like that was going to be the case when Chris Hegardt’s pass into the box was slotted home by Benalcazar in the 18’ minute.
New Mexico gave Orange County copious amounts of space on the wings that Hegardt and the midfield exploited. It was still a back four by New Mexico but nonetheless Orange County really kept United hemmed in their own half. With both teams being suspect on defense the match was looking like it would be one dominated by the offenses. Orange County would continue to get chances in the half but would not be able to capitalize further and the game would go into the break tied at 1.
SECOND HALF
The second half for lack of a better term was pretty lackluster, from both sides. You could make the argument that it was a midfield battle with both teams holding each other well. Both teams only combined for four shots on goal the entire game. New Mexico started to get the possession numbers back into their favor and would actually end the game heavily favored in that stat. But for Orange County the second half did not see much of anything worth getting excited for. What we are starting to see as well is how OC handles their substitutes late in games and we are starting to see the younger players make appearances.
Efren Solis, Nicola Ciotta and Pedro Guimaraes all made second half appearances and held New Mexico at bay. The match was not even that feisty either with Orange County’s only caution of the match not coming until the 89’ minute going to Sylla. Orange County only generated one shot on goal and that was the Benalcazar goal in the first half. Another dud of a performance from the forward core. The match would end 1-1 and Orange County would remain second in the Western Conference.
OVERVIEW
If every game is a must win game then you cannot simply throw that term around for each and every game. I gave this game that same distinction after last week's AV Alta Cup game for the sole purpose that this was the game you rest up your players for. Even though Orange County did not win the game I do feel that they were able to get themselves back on the right track in league play. Again, New Mexico United and Isotopes Park have not been easy opponents for Orange County but that is now 2 straight draws in 2 regular season trips to Albuquerque. If Orange County SC are to be a true postseason threat that everyone still believes they are to become then they need to turn these draws against lower table teams into wins. They will fortunately get another chance in a similar game next Saturday when they travel to Las Vegas.