A Most Patriotic Matchup
On the fourth day of July 250 years ago the delegates of the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. July 4th, 1776 was the date on the original documents and was signed in the city of Philadelphia. The Northeastern area of the United States is rich in history and served as the starting point for everything that we know today. There is a certain reverence to be had with the holiday and Orange County SC will be a part of it for just the third time in club history.
In a rare occasion, the 4th of July lands on a Saturday and Orange County will continue their summer road trip with perhaps the toughest stretch. The schedule makers saved the best for last with OCSC with a quick 2 game tour of the New England area. Not only is this the third time Orange County plays on Indepence day but it will only be the second time they face Rhode Island FC. With it also being the first time that Orange County plays in the Ocean State it will come at a time in which Orange County can either hold or extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference.
We should expect to see a well rested OC side who are coming off a league wide break last week. One week from today is when Orange County will make their return back to Southern California. They were able to win consecutive games with their game last week against Miami and will try to win 3 straight league games for the first time since 2023.
THE OPPONENT - RHODE ISLAND FC
Rhode Island FC have had a very short history in the USL but it has been quite eventful. They were able to be more successful than more than half the league when they won the Eastern Conference in their inaugural year of 2024. Answering that with a second round playoff appearance in 2025 has lead to some lofty expectations. For the early success they are currently on the outside of the playoff bubble in 2026 at the moment but have a plethora of games in hand on their opponents. While one opponent in the East has already played 15 league games (Jacksonville), Rhode Island and Indy have only played in 11 games to this point. Their underlying statistics should put them right in the 4th-6th place range in the East. Their previous couple of matches are indicative of this. When Rhode Island wins games they come by a big margin. Four of the last five wins have been by a margin of 3 goals. This is really not a team that should miss the postseason but they will eventually have to win the games in hand. An important note for both teams is they both have midweek games with Rhode Island having the tougher of the two with a cross country trip to Sacramento. This could put a wrench into lineups but likely we will see both sides strongest available XI.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rhode Island’s biggest threat is their main striker in JJ Williams. A longtime USL veteran who has stops previously at Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Tulsa and Birmingham has 64 goals in USL competitions. Williams has always been a pretty consistent goal scorer wherever he goes and that trend has continued in his time with Rhode Island. Williams was a member of that inaugural team in 2024 and his 71 appearances with the club is his most. However what will make Orange County their number one target is what he has done in 2026. JJ Williams career best goal tally in the USL is 13 goals which came in 2023 with Tampa Bay. In his two previous seasons with Rhode Island he bagged six goals in each. But 2026 is perhaps his late breakout as he has already matched that 6 goal mark in only 10 games played. He is on pace for roughly 20 goals which in previous seasons has been about what the golden boot winner has also reached. But as much as Williams is a goal scoring threat he is also a very talented playmaker who averages an assist for every two goals scored. Just as he has already scored half his career high in goals already, his assist mark in 2026 is also already halfway as well. The OC backline will have their hands full.
On the orange side of things, Marcelo Palomino has been able to log 13 appearances across all competitions with Orange County in 2026. However he is still looking for his first goal with the club. At only 25 years of age, Palomino is another young player for OC in the midfield. It is a midfield that has been very productive in this recent stretch of games. Palomino has been a part of that too with two assists in those games played which is just one shy of his career best. He is in a bit of a lull as far as finding consistent playing time but he has the capability to not only create opportunities but also score some highlight-level goals. He has European experience and grass roots experience and still has a lot more to bring.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
The win against Miami was momentous for a couple reasons. First, it was Orange County’s first time scoring four goals in an away game since 2023. Second with the goals coming against Miami, that means that OC have scored in 9 consecutive games across all competitions. That is their longest streak since they scored in 10 consecutive games in 2018. Both those seasons ended with OC finishing as the best team in the West. So with the offense really kicking into high gear the midfield and attack should be applauded and unchanged.
If the lineup worked last time, then why change it. We do not know the health timelines of guys like Doghman, Partida, War and others because why would we. Alex Rando has been the first choice all season so no change their. The win against Miami was the first time we saw all three centerbacks on the field at once which can somewhat morph into a back 3 with Benalcazar becoming the fifth midfielder. Jamir Johnson could also easily slot into a role but their has not been much rhyme or reason to Stone’s lineups but I am not one to question him. Danny Stone was voted as mid-season coach of the year so he definitely knows more than me. What I do know is that Yaniv Bazini has been the best forward for Orange County so until others can prove they should start over him, it is his spot to lose.
THE MATCHUP
While not the first time that these two sides have faced another, it will be the first time played on the East Coast. When these two sides faced in 2024, it was Orange County that came away with a 1-0 win. That 2024 win sparked an end of year run for OC that carried them through the postseason. Bryce Jamison scored the only goal of the match. This time however will likely provide a bit more offense. Another fun stat about these two teams is that they essentially have the exact same goal differential. While Orange County have 22 goals scored, Rhode Island have 21. Defensively they have both been scored on the same amount of times at 15 goals conceded. However where OC are better at is generating wins because while Rhode Island have only 15 points, OC lead the West with 26. This could be a statement win for both teams. Orange County have played on Independence Day twice before and are 2-0 all time.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Rhode Island FC (USL Championship)
When - July 4th, 4:30 PM PST
Where - Centreville Bank Stadium (Pawtucket, RI)
OCSC Form - WWDLW
RIFC Form - WWLWL
All-Time Series - 1-0-0 (1 Game)
TV - KCAL 9, ESPN+