Postseason Bound and It Feels So Good

The draw against New Mexico did prove that Orange County SC can compete against anyone when they face them in Southern California. This is because the Orange County defense has been playing at near perfection for the better part of nearly two months now. Since that 0-6 embarrassment at the hands of Charleston and giving up three unanswered goals to Las Vegas the OC backline has only let in one goal in seven matches.

It has been a trend where Orange County finishes their regular season on a good run of form regardless of how the season goes. Especially in the modern era of the USL where every season has ended with Orange County earning points in the final game of the season. The last time that OC were defeated was 2018, a 1-3 loss at Reno 1868. 

The only significance that this game has for Orange County is for playoff seeding. If Orange County were to lose and Phoenix were to beat Louisville then Orange County would face New Mexico in the first round. That is the only scenario that is easy to understand and also the most unlikely. There are a possible five different clubs that OC could face on the road in the first round of the playoffs, New Mexico included. The more likely matchups are Las Vegas, Sacramento, Colorado Springs and Memphis. Las Vegas is the most likely opponent for Orange County as they just need a win in their last game to clinch the number two seed.  No matter what happens, Orange County will be playing a playoff game next weekend away from Southern California.

The other team that has a partial say in this is the opponent, Hartford Athletic. Hartford has qualified for the postseason just once in their abbreviated existence back in 2020. But other than that Hartford has seldom found consistency, which makes today's game much more important for the visitors. Just how important this game is for them will be known at game time.

THE OPPONENT - HARTFORD ATHLETIC

Hartford Athletic will make the 2,889 mile trek to Irvine for the first time ever and will be doing so currently outside of the postseason. For Hartford they will be watching both Pittsburgh and North Carolina to see if they even have a chance. If both Pittsburgh and North Carolina were to win their respective games then Hartford would be eliminated. North Carolina also has a big say in the fortunes of both Hartford and Orange County. North Carolina is hosting Las Vegas. This is a massive game with implications for everyone. Pittsburgh will face El Paso at home so Pittsburgh should get in.

Hartford have been one of the more consistent sides to close out the regular season and would be a very interesting playoff team. Their poor first half of the season has been their only undoing but if they were to qualify then it would be quite the accomplishment.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mamadou Dieng is the main striker for Hartford and is having a pretty solid year with double digit goal numbers. This is his first year for Hartford and was a part of their massive overhaul so there are a number of players that were brought in. The offense has been boom or bust in recent games for Hartford. They will either score three or more goals or no goals at all.

For the home side, Charlie Asensio made his return from injury and had an appearance in last week’s game just his second all season. It has been a season lost to injury for the left back however his return can provide depth which is always something a playoff team needs.

THE MATCHUP

This is just the second time that Orange County and Hartford will face each other and the first time Hartford will play in Irvine. The last time these two teams faced came last year and in Connecticut. OC are on a seven-game unbeaten run which has been thanks in part to Colin Shutler and his numerous shutouts. With the shutout last week being his 12th of the year, Shutler has set an OC record for clean sheets in a season. Orange County will only know their playoff matchup at the conclusion of today’s match.

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - vs Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)

When - October 26, 7:00 PM PST

Where - Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)

OCSC Form - DWWDW

HRT Form - DWWLW

All-Time Matchup - 0-1-0 (1 Matchup)

TV - FanDuel Sports SoCal (renamed from Bally Sports SoCal), ESPN+