In the second installment of our new monthly series we check in on the academy team and how they did. To say that August was a great month for the boys would be putting it lightly with OCII winning all three games in August extending their winning streak to four games overall. The offense really showed out with OC II scoring 3 or more goals in all 3 games while only conceding twice in that same span.
What has become very apparent with OCSC II in recent memory, but especially this season, is that their greatest strength is their depth. OCSC II could field nearly an entire starting lineup from their bench based on USL Academy standards. Just how much of this is true is the fact that in the entire history of the revamped OCSC II team, they have only lost a home game three times (from 31 matches) since 2019. Last season OC II got off to a similar average start but then rattled off a seven game unbeaten run to return to the Academy League postseason for a second time. It will likely take another near perfect end of the season for OC II to repeat postseason appearances but if they continue to keep winning then why not.
With the USL Academy League being determined by a points per game system that means that wins overall are more important rather than everything else. OC are currently tied for the least amount of games played with West Coast FC who have both played eight games to this point while most other teams are already at 12 games. Of note is that OCSC II have yet to play West Coast at all this season but both teams will meet twice within the last four games of the season. But before that very important last stretch of the season lets see just how dominant OC II were in August.
8/5 - vs Los Angeles SC
One week after the OC Academy team dismantled AMSG FC via a 6-0 scoreline, the home stand continued with another fixture against the only team that OC II had already beaten this season. Los Angeles SC have been the weakest team of the group, winless overall in 2026. Orange County had won the first game but needed two different equalizers and a late game winner to earn their first win of the season. This game would not be the same but did see OC not dominating until the second half. Orange County’s first of four goals would come late in the first half thanks to Armani Haro in the 43’ minute.
It would be the second half of the game that OC would really find their offensive groove. Which has been a very common trend with them this season thanks to that aforementioned depth that Orange County II has to their advantage. When OC does score in the second half it almost always comes in bunches. Noah Moody would get the all important second goal before Haro and Olawende Esan would get helpers. This would propel to a 4-0 victory at home over a winless Los Angeles SC side.
8/12 - vs Capo FC
You can very much take the recap that I wrote for the previous game and copy it for this one. It finished as another decisive 4-0 win with most of the offense coming in the second half. But unlike the Los Angeles game, OC II would get a very early goal thanks to Joaquin Castro who needed just 7 minutes. It was a very nice goal for the right winger who can glide past defenders with ease. Orange County would continue generating offensive chances but was held to just one goal going into the break.
The second half is when OC makes their mark and the second goal of the game would go to a new face in the OC system. Elijah Nelson would get his first goal of the season off a header early in the second half. Nelson would later be signed to an academy pro contract after this game and for good reason. A very skilled midfielder with a high IQ will be another one to watch moving forward. For good measure they would get goals from Sheldon Tsai and Boston St. Claire. OC II could of scored more as they were awarded a penalty kick but they would miss that. While the offense has gotten a lot of attention the OC II defense is nothing to overlook. Center backs Finn O’Brien and Marvin Mejia are just as important to keeping opponents off the scoresheet and helping out goalkeeper Jack Gentile. Another home victory and another 4-0 win for what was Orange County’s third straight win.
8/26 - vs City SC
While large margin of victories are fun to watch, a close win against very good opposition definitely feels a lot better. Orange County II would play against City SC of Carlsbad for the second time in 2026 and this would be a heavyweight battle. City SC were victors in the first game of the season with a 2-0 victory back on July 1st. It was important for Orange County to get off to a good start and they would somewhat get that. The first half was dominated by OC II with plenty of chances from a variety of different players. This was a very talented lineup too for OC II that would have to come back a few times in this match. For all the good things OC did, it proved to be the one OC mistake that City SC would capitalize on in the first minute of first half stoppage time. A turnover in the midfield would spring a quick counter and City SC would convert to make it 0-1.
OC II probably deserved a goal in the first half that they would not get. Going down a goal off a mistake would not make them feel better but they did quick to get things right with Jerome Carter unleashing a cannon of a low shot to even the match in the 49th minute. Teams that play a high possession based game are prone to counter attacks and OC II would get burned off another one. 10 minutes after OC II had tied the game they would again concede off of another counter attack that would leave Gentile out to dry. Jerome Carter is another player who has played with the first team this season and he made it his night as he earned his brace off a nice assist from Joaquin Castro minutes after City SC scored again.
The game was now tied once again and it would be an unlikely hero for OC II. Substitute Olawende Esan would be brought into the match on the left wing and would find himself on that side where he would beat his man. A nice cut back pass back to the 18 would get fired home by Marvin Mejia for the game winner in the 78’ minute. This was easily the best win for OC II this season and would keep their playoff hopes intact. A very chippy match which has become a bit of recurring trait when these two sides meet would see a City SC player sent off at the full time whistle.
OVERALL
Similar to the senior side of recent memory, the OC II seems to really find another gear in the latter half of the season. What looked to be a bit of a down year has really turned a corner in late July. Orange County II are now on 4 game unbeaten run at home with a goal differential of +14 in that same span. It is not just one player who is carrying the team but a whole team effort in all three facets of the field. They have made the Great Park a fortress and will need to continue that momentum with some very important games coming up.