Lyam MacKinnon’s 55th minute goal was enough for Orange County SC to win in Tulsa and retain their spot atop the USL Championship Western Conference.
first half
FC Tulsa kicked off and the hosts had the first few chances of the match. OC defended well to limit the opposition to low opportunity chances from distance.
Orange County’s first real attack, from a ball played over the top of the Tulsa defense, fizzled as Yaniv Bazini went down too easily when through on goal.
He may not have scored, but Chris Hegardt’s pressing and ball progression was troublesome for Tulsa. Photo courtesy of Orange County SC.
Tulsa nearly scored from the first corner of the match: fizzed in to the near post, the cross was threatening, but Bailey Sparks couldn’t direct his header on target. Where the midweek match was all about OC’s attacking prowess, the first half hour was largely about OC’s flexibility and determination in defending. The Scissorstails pushed and prodded but could not find the net.
Going forward, OC hit it long, leaving it to Bazini and MacKinnon to fashion their own chances and try and win set pieces.
Tulsa continued to dominate possession, but could not punish Orange County.
Shortly before the half, Mou War rifled a shot from over 40 yards. His effort was just high of the goal, but represented the closest OC had come to breaking the deadlock.
Little of note followed, just a continuance of the start-stop nature of the match, punctuated by two added minutes to see both teams go scoreless into halftime.
second half
The second half continued similarly to the first: Tulsa dominated possession while the OC defense forced them to try from distance. Rando was tested in the 51st, as Harvey St. Clair had a golden chance to score, but the forward scuppered his chance and Rando pounced on the loose ball.
Ethan Zubak and Ousmane Sylla continued their return to fitness. Both came on at the start of the second half, replacing Bazini and Marcelo Palomino, respectively.
But after a long spell of recycled possession following a corner, Orange County struck. Mou War crossed with pace from the far touchline and Lyam MacKinnon was there to slot home after his volley attempt was interrupted.
Up a goal, OC initially threatened some more, but by the hour mark, OC was content to concede possession and let their hosts chase. Perhaps from the incessant playing of “Baby Shark,” perhaps from trailing a goal, or perhaps from the frequent stoppages from fouls from both teams, Tulsa struggled and frustration grew against an Orange County side that was wholly committed to defending their lead.
OC nearly added a second from a set piece after Tulsa switched off defensively, but OC couldn’t capitalize.
With just over 10 minutes to go, Rando was truly tested. From a corner directed to his front post, Rando somehow deflected the ball up and off of the crossbar. A moment later, Rando also did well to come out and knock down a cross before the ball was cleared away from danger.
Orange County did well in the closing minutes of the match, holding the ball well when possible, but otherwise committing men behind the ball and restricting space. As luck would have it, as St. Clair broke through, the forward’s shot struck off the far post and bounced away from danger before OC cleared their lines.
After two added minutes, the match finished with OC players rightfully celebrating a hard-earned win.
overview
OC adapted well from the midweek, especially with the travel. But there was more than the three points: no one was hurt. This was a pragmatic performance for Orange County, proof of the dynamism under Danny Stone as well as the players’ ability and willingness to adapt and win in a multitude of ways.
War. What is he good for? Absolutely everything, it turns out. Danny Stone heaped praise on the 25-year-old as he entered his second season with Orange County. MacKinnon will get the plaudits for his goal, but Mou War was very likely the man of the match for OCSC: the forward-turned-winger-turned-full back was clearly up for the challenge, recovered well defensively, and served MacKinnon a chance on a silver platter. When praising OC’s versatility and determination, players like Mou War embody that mentality.