Orange County SC’s abysmal summer run continued as they limped to a 3-1 defeat against Phoenix Rising on Saturday night, dropping out of the playoff places as a consequence.
FIRST HALF
In what seemed like OCSC’s 10th-consecutive must-win match, and their fourth against Phoenix in 2026, the hosts struggled to escape their half as Phoenix created chance after chance in the opening 10 minutes. Their first clear cut chance came from a corner in the ninth minute, but Alex Rando managed a double save to deny the initial header as well as Kelvin Arase’s rebound before OC cleared.
But OC couldn’t keep Phoenix away and less than a minute later, they conceded from another corner as Pape Boye outmaneuvered Tyson Espy and headed home to make it 1-0.
Phoenix kept shooting, likely aware that OC would capitulate under pressure. And it took less than 10 minutes to double their lead. Kevin Partida, facing the OC goal, took a wasteful touch that Ihsan Sacko took in stride before side-footing his effort past Rando at the near post.
And with less than 20 minutes gone, it was clear that OC was done for unless they were going to do something they haven’t done in two months: score twice in a match.
Perhaps realizing that he got the tactics wrong, interim manager Dekel Keinan brought off Partida and Lyam MacKinnon after 35 minutes.. However, it made little difference, as OC managed just two shots right before half time.
SECOND HALF
Jaylin Lindsey replaced Tyson Espy to open the half, and OC looked to at least try to get back into the match, however unlikely. OC pushed numbers forward but couldn’t create anything resembling the quantity nor quality of chances Phoenix had challenged them with just 45 minutes earlier.
Then, with numbers forward, disaster struck again for Orange County. Odunze sprung a counter attack down the right flank. Ihsan Sacko, sat wide on the left flank, tucked in and broke forward, strongly heading through the outstretched arms of Rando for his second. It was an incredibly well-executed move from Phoenix, one that showed the gulf in quality on display.
OC were given what was described as a “lifeline” by commentators five minutes later as Tom Brewitt was fouled while attacking a corner. Ousmane Sylla took the ensuing penalty but lifted his effort well over the crossbar.
Yaniv Bazini netted a calmly finished consolation goal from a Ryan Doghman cross on 76 minutes. It was a more vintage display for Orange County, and one that, if it had come an hour earlier, would’ve brought some much needed hope and confidence on and off the pitch.
But OC failed to create more and deservedly lost 3-1.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If Orange County has been trying to maximize the drama this season: they’ve succeeded. OC’s had literal must-win matches before. Certainly the entire 2021 playoff run was a series of must-win matches (but then again: aren’t all playoff matches?) But the side has never looked this toothless going forward and this helpless defensively. Even when well adrift of the playoff picture in 2022, Milan Iloski gave fans something to look forward to: scoring 22 and assisting six in the league.
Fans and the greater league community had plenty of discussion about the firing of Danny Stone. Or, to more fairly put it in the club’s words: the choice to “part ways” with the manager with less than two months remaining on his contract. Given the lack of improvement in performances, and with only one positive result since Keinan took over, it’s clear it wasn’t the manager that was the problem.
Now over two months without a win, OC is in more than a slump. OC has slowly slid down the table, thanks to the West’s self-cannibalization. But OC’s blip turned into a slump in August. It slid through September, capitulated in the pathetic performance against Lexington, and now, as we reach the end of the season, the club is in free fall.
With all to play for in their last match, it’s hard to predict anything but another tepid performance against San Antonio. But Saturday at 5:30 p.m., OC has 90 more minutes to try and salvage their season.
editor: Immediately following the result, USL Championship listed Orange County in 9th place, but now Monday morning the league has them listed in 8th. So… I guess only Uncle Paul knows what place they’re in.