You would not be mistaken if you think that you have clicked on an old article when you read the following sentence:
Right as Orange County is beginning to find its stride they will play an extremely important game that will go a very long way in how successful their season will be; and the game is against Phoenix Rising FC.
Each and every OC and Phoenix match up seems to occur at the most crucial points in the season. Orange County has to win a game in the postseason? They face Phoenix. Orange County needs to win a game just to stay afloat? They face Phoenix. Orange County is having an amazing season and has to win one more game before they have a chance at playing for a USL title? They face Phoenix.
This is a rivalry both on and off the pitch. For every late goal scored, there is a coach or player flipping sides. Both sides have had their shining moments over the other. And unlike most USL rivalries, both teams have won a championship.
Only three points separate the teams in the heavily crowded Western Conference, and now is the time for Orange County to cash in on their games in hand.
THE OPPONENT - PHOENIX RISING FC
The Phoenix Rising 2025 season has been okay. Phoenix were coming into the year with a new coach but retained the expectations of being a team capable of a deep run in the playoffs. So far they have still been the respectable team that OC has always faced off against, but there is still a lot of improvement.
Phoenix Rising easily dispatched of OC back in Arizona in early June, but since then have been a very average team. Losses to Charleston and Lexington have kept Phoenix from really going any higher up the table, so through 16 league games, Phoenix have only earned 23 out of a possible 48 points. But that is still good enough for fifth in the West, tied with El Paso.
Perhaps the perfect stat that encapsulates the Phoenix is their perfect goal difference of 0. 26 goals scored and 26 goals conceded. The 26 goals scored is the result of the best conversion rate in the USL but the 26 against is the third worst mark in the USL.
Like Orange County, Phoenix’s USL Cup run did not go past the group stage, so really they just have the USL to put their focus on. Phoenix on the road is a respectable 4-2-3.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The most dangerous forward for Phoenix has been Hope Avayevu, who at only 22 years of age has led the team in goals and assists. Avayevu spent time with both LA Galaxy II’s alter ego Ventura County FC and North Texas SC in MLSNP before signing with Phoenix this past winter. Appearances in all of Phoenix’s 16 games so far has led to four goals scored and six assists. His last appearance is one to forget after he was sent off for a second yellow, but having served his suspension, he should be back to try and make an impact on Wednesday.
On the orange side of things, we saw one OC forward finally get off the mark in 2025 when Bryce Jamison reminded everyone who he was with his game winning goal. Sooner, rather than later, Tristan Trager will open his 2025 account.
It has not been a good year for Trager to say the least, with injuries the main culprit. He only has been able to make six appearances across all competitions, tallying two assists. This is from a forward who has proven that he can score at a consistent rate. In 2024, with a bad Monterey Bay team, he was able to score eight goals in 20 appearances. Trager, who is from San Clemente, can be a massive boost to the OC attack and he has half a season to get going.
PREDICTED STARTING XI
We are starting to see just who is becoming a consistent starter and who is better served coming on later in the game. Each successful team generally has an idea about who does what and when it is best to come on. We have two possible lineups to sort through.
Larry’s starting lineup looks largely familiar to those who saw Orange County’s last match, a 4-0 rout of Las Vegas Lights. Perhaps as a reward for his goal-line save over the weekend, Larry has Ashton Miles start alongside Tom Brewitt.
Larry gets us going with a standard 4-2-3-1 lineup that does have a good mix of veteran with youth. For one, Ashton Miles sees a return to the senior team lineup and will line up alongside Nicola Ciotta. As such the midfield is the most interesting with War and Hegardt lining up on the outside of Sylla.
While a natural fullback, Guimaraes has proven his versatility for Orange County and the US National Team in 2025. Here, Nathan has him filling in as a midfielder, though OC’s shape is known to be flexible throughout a match.
As for myself, my back line is a bit more consistent with what we have seen. However the midfield has been a bit more sporadic, and thus harder to get a gauge on. I believe Pedro Guimaraes should be in the XI, but he will have to come in the midfield. As such, I do believe that both War and Hegardt are also in a similar situation where it should be the most in-form players available that are on the field.
THE MATCH UP
There is no true trend with the OC-Phoenix rivalry. No fancy name either, like other USL derbies, but that is fine. The double agents are still a factor for both sides with Danny Stone on the bench and Patrick Rakovsky making his Championship Soccer Stadium return for Phoenix in net. Phoenix historically has gotten the better of OC, with them holding a 16-9-10 record against OC across all competitions, dating back to 2014. There is nothing that has not been seen.
One trend for Orange County has boasted a solid defense of late that has been rewarded with clean sheets in five of their last six competitive games. As is always the case, OC needs a win to keep pace with the postseason picture, with the last win against Las Vegas putting them back in eighth. Only nine points separates eighth place OC with first place FC Tulsa. OC is only above the last place team by two points. With no weekend game following the match for OC, expect a full effort on Wednesday in front of a national audience.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - vs Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
When - July 30th, 7:00 PM PST
Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
OCSC Form - WWLDW
PHX Form - WWLWL
All-Time Series - 10-9-16 (35 Games)
TV - ESPN2