Finishing the match against RGVFC with nine men, Orange County SC earned a hardfought three points and now looks forward to repeating the performance on the road in Sin City.
With six draws on the season, Orange County currently sits in ninth, two points behind the next six teams in the league. The Lights do not show the same consistency, having lost six through the opening 13 weeks. Both teams’ results highlight the attrition of the Western Conference this year, just three points and five places apart in the standings.
Orange County’s unbeaten run now stands at seven matches, having scored two goals in all but one match in May. Red cards aside, the match against the Toros showed one of the best team performances of the season. Many of the early season concerns about team chemistry seem resolved, with defense, midfield, and attack showing their talent. The team is now on track to cement themselves in the playoff places in a very important month of June.
The Lights look to be a much improved team on paper in comparison to their 2018 side, but the last few weeks have seen the side struggle, conceding two league blowout losses to Phoenix and rivals Reno, a goalless draw against Tulsa, and an Open Cup shock defeat to Orange County FC. Cashman Field is a difficult place to play away, but it will still be a monumental task for the side to break out of their slump.
Aodhan Quinn and Darwin Jones will not play in Las Vegas, and their absence will certainly be a loss. However, it provides an opportunity for the squad to be rotated and a few players will have the opportunity to show their quality and try and guarantee themselves more playing time. Against the hard tackling side, staying calm is likely going to be the key to a successful trip and another three points.
The match kicks off at 7:30pm at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN+ in the United States.
Highlights:
OCSC’s shots-to-goals conversion rate remains one of the best in the league, scoring one goal for every five shots.
Las Vegas has struggled lately, conceding 13 goals in their last four matches.
OCSC will be without the services of Aodhan Quinn (left), meaning that other players, like winger Jerry van Wolfgang (right), will be the main attacking outlets. Photo credit: Orange County SC/ Liza Rozales