If there is one distinction to make about Orange County and the position they currently find themselves in, this is not a new experience. Just around the halfway point of the season, it is OCSC that sit atop the Western Conference. Perhaps even better is the fact that Orange County are just a mere four points off of Tampa Bay for the number one spot in the entire league. As far as regular seasons go for Orange County, the 2018 one where they went into the playoffs as the 1 seed in the West will be the measuring stick.
When comparing the two seasons through 17 matches played in 2026 Orange County sit at 31 points. Just how many points did the 2018 side have through 17 league games?
31.
That 2018 side was very much a “boom or bust” squad that racked up a lot of wins but also a good chunk of defeats. The 2026 squad has made it a challenge for other teams to beat them, but they have made it close on some occasions. The formula for Orange County in these games is good enough to not force everything to be perfect to win games. They are on a nine-game league goal scoring streak, with the offense really coming alive lately. The defense has not been a concern for me yet because they have shown they can be a consistent side.
It might not feel like it but this is an OC team that is tied for second in the West in goals scored and tied for the third best defense in the West. They will be facing a team with an equally explosive offense in their first home league game at Championship Soccer Stadium since April 18th.
THE OPPONENT - EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC
El Paso is that other team that is tied with Orange County with 27 goals scored to this point. One might think with offensive capabilities like that then they would be comfortably in a playoff position. Nope. Just as El Paso has had no problems scoring goals they have had a problem keeping the other teams from scoring goals. It is because of that defense that they are currently 8th. While it is the first time that OC plays El Paso in the league, these two teams already met in the USL League Cup where it was El Paso that put 2 past Orange County. Since that game however it has not been an easy road for Locomotive.
El Paso defeated Orange County back in April. Since that point they have only won two league games against Las Vegas and last place Jacksonville. This is a span of games that includes losses to Monterey Bay, Lexington and Tulsa. This is far from the tone of the first meeting where El Paso was coming in as a very strong side and the 4th place team in the West. So while the defense is just about the same average quality, the offense has taken a step back. But remember this is a high powered offense which goes to show just how hot of a start they had. Really since that OC game back in April it has been a freefall. Maybe signing an actor in a publicity stunt was not the right move to winning games?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
One of the lone bright spots for El Paso is they have a serious goal scoring threat. In his first year with the club Rubio Rubin is just about to crack the double digit goal scoring mark at nine goals scored with that number already being a season high for him. Rubin is a professional through and through that has already had stints in both the USL, MLS, Liga MX, and Eredivisie. His previous teams sheet is quite extensive but notable stops include FC Utrecht, Real Salt Lake, Tijuana, Queretaro and Charleston for the 30 year old The Guatemalan also boasts 41 international caps. Rubin scored in El Paso’s last game against Jacksonville, so he will be the main priority for the OC backline.
On the orange side of things, Orange County has not needed to rely on one singular player for their offensive output and really not even on the forward core either. Orange County’s goals have come from forwards, midfielders and defenders. I mean last week at Monterey Bay, both of Orange County’s goals happened because of what a defender did. This is not to say that the forwards are not pulling their weight. The leading goal scorer on the team is a forward in Yaniv Bazini. But the focus is on the other striker that starts alongside him in Lyam MacKinnon. MacKinnon did not have the greatest of games against Monterey Bay last week. But this is still the second leading goal scorer on an offensive juggernaut and a former Golden Boot winner in League One. Lyam had his 2025 season cut down by injuries and is averaging about a goal every four games to this point. MacKinnon’s best attribute has been his availability in a season where OC have had to do a lot of tweaking to lineups because of injuries. Lyam can score goals and can get into the right spaces to do so. Anything that he can add offensively will be a massive boost for the club.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
Orange County saw the returns of three players from injury last week and hopefully this week can see more. Of the likeliest players to return to the 18 guys like Brandon Cambridge, Grayson Doody, Tyson Espy and Marcelo Palomino are the best candidates. So far this season OC have somewhat relied on the play of Alex Rando to win them games so his health is very important.
4-4-freaking-2. Mo War made a return to the field for the first time in recent memory against Monterey, and Nathan has him pegged for a start on the right, in his more natural winger position. As ever, the versatility of players like Mo War and Nico Benalcazar (predicted at left back) define OC’s bend-not-break approach and 2026 success.
Some will say Nico Benalcazar is quietly the best Orange County player, and there is validity to the argument. The midfielder by trait slotted in at left back last week and only went and got himself a team of the week spot. Nicola Ciotta might just be good enough to not relinquish his starting spot at right back. Just like Ciotta, we will see this week if Efren Solis has solidified his right mid spot. The other option could be Mohamadou War who returned last week getting the start at midfield. Another very versatile player that Danny Stone employs. Up top is MacKinnon and Bazini who have been the best combination.
THE MATCH UP
With every passing match up between these two clubs, El Paso cements itself as a veteran in the league. There was a huge expansion of teams before 2020 and El Paso were one of these teams. They have had marginal success in the postseason but are a team still looking to get over that hump. This was a team that in their first two seasons of existence made it to the Conference Finals. Their playoff appearances outnumber their playoff disappearances. They are also a team that has played Orange County very evenly too. El Paso currently lead the all-time series with OC being 4-5-5 all time across all of the regular season, League Cup and the postseason. That League Cup game was back in April and the postseason game was the 2023 Western Conference Quarterfinal. Both teams need a win for different reasons. Orange County need a win to keep their place at the summit while El Paso need a win to get their season back on track. This is also the first of four consecutive games at home for Orange County and first of 7 straight games played in California. Orange County got through the storm that was the summer and now have a great chance to really prove themselves.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs El Paso Locomotive FC (USL Championship)
When - August 1st, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - WLDDW
ELP Form - WLLWL
All-Time Series - 4-5-5 (14 Games)
TV - CBS Sports Golazo, Paramount+, KCAL+