Two games down in the 2025 regular season and as hoped the offense has been able to consistently find the back of the net. The squad have scored 6 goals through with each of them being scored by someone different each time. The team definitely left it to the very end to score the game-tying goal last week against Lexington. They will get the chance to continue the unbeaten run for a third week at home against Monterey Bay FC.

OCSC have gotten the better of Monterey Bay the past two seasons. The trend of success should continue early in 2025, even with Orange County already having to deal with a bit of an injury bug. Last week saw the absence of Cameron Dunbar, Bryce Jamison, Lyam MacKinnon, Kevin Partida and Tristan Trager. This ultimately did have a clear impact on the game, but OC was able to salvage a point. After two matchdays, Orange County find themselves third in the Western Conference on four points.

THE OPPONENT - MONTEREY BAY FC

To say that last season for Monterey Bay was quite the disappointment would be putting it lightly. The Crisp and Kelp failed to qualify for the postseason for a third straight season after a pretty respectable first half of the season. This will be the first full season for head coach Jordan Stewart, who is overseeing a bit of a roster overhaul that saw numerous changes over the off season.

The season has gotten off to an okay start for Monterey Bay. They traveled to San Antonio in week one and lost 1-0 before winning 3-2 against Oakland last week at home. Monterey Bay did have their first round US Open Cup game on Wednesday and came away with a comfortable 4-0 win against amateur side Inter San Francisco. Xavi Gnaulati had a brace in the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Monterey Bay’s 20 year-old midfielder Xavi Gnaulati is one of the young bright spots who is entering his second season after joining from San Diego Loyal SC. The attacking mid has become an important cog for Jordan Stewart and will look to add a bit more to his numbers. He has appeared in each game for MBFC thus far and has already matched his assists mark from last season with an assist last week against Oakland.

On the orange side of things, we are looking at a possible rising star within the first team who has already made his mark. It took one appearance for Mouhamadou War to score his first goal and it could be quite a critical one by the time the playoffs begin. Mouhamadou War is a 24 year-old Japanese-American forward who found his way into OCSC through an open tryout. Two consecutive preseasons with Orange County as well as one year spent with LA Force of NISA lead to War being signed with the Orange & Black.

PREDICTED STARTING XI

The injury bug has already hit OC and it saw the absence of both Dunbar and Partida from last week’s game. This meant that OC went with an uncommon 4-2-2-2 that saw Ryan Molina get a start. Guimaraes also retained his left back spot with Doghman holding down left mid. As such for my predicted starting XI I think one change will be made.

Nathan Wander:

Zubak Dunbar

Doghman Hegardt

Scott Benalcazar

Guimaraes Miles Brewitt Doody

Shutler

I for one believe we will see the return of Cameron Dunbar to the right wing. However, Orange County will also patiently wait for the first appearance of Lyam MacKinnon. He is the last of the acquisitions to make an appearance for Orange County. Do not be surprised if War or Barjolo also come on later in the game to provide either an extra spark on offense or can use their speed to hold possession.

THE MATCH UP

This will be the first of three meetings in 2025 between Orange County and Monterey Bay, and the only one to be in Southern California. Besides 2022, this has been a bit of a one-sided series with OC having gotten the better of MBFC. This will be the 7th all-time game between the two clubs.

Tristan Trager will hopefully return to the field and feature against his former club, for whom he was its leading goal scorer in 2024. As such Orange County will also be looking to continue their seven game unbeaten run at home.

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - vs Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship)
When - March 22, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - DWLWW
MBFC Form - WWLLL
All-Time Matchups - 3-1-2 (6 Matchups)
TV - ESPN+, FanDuel Sports SoCal, KCAL+