What was once a joyful and amazing dream in 2021 for Orange County SC turned into a 2022 nightmare for the current champions in the form of a variety of injuries. Before the season even started Brian Iloski, brother of Milan Iloski, has been out from injury (rumored to be some early season surgery); Danny Acosta is out for the season due to a knee injury against LAFC during the US Open Cup match; Tony Rocha has missed a huge chunk of playtime this season. Rob Kiernan’s week 9 injury has been a huge blow to the champs as the defense has suffered making Kiernan seem like the glue of the defense that kept them all in tact. Now Brent Richards is out indefinitely and fan favorite Mikko Kuningas has been sidelined due to injury which resulted in limited play time in the 3-1 loss to Louisville City. With a majority of these players primarily on the defensive side it is no wonder why the champions have struggled defensively as it seems like they have had to rotate a different formation every other week.
How Did it Come to This?
Match Preview: Louisville City vs Orange County SC
Orange County SC has struggled to make a splash in the winning column as of late. Will the 2021 champions turn things around when they visit the second place team of the USL Championship Eastern Conference, Louisville City on Saturday June 18th 5:00 PM pacific at the Lynn Family Stadium?
It seems like last year's historic championship victory was far in the past for Orange County SC as they see themselves in second to last place in the Western Conference. If the reigning champs want to defend their championship in the playoffs they have to find a way back into the winning column and it has to start now. County has been on a decline as of late with only 14 points in 14 matches. It seems that Louisville and Orange County are polar opposites as Louisville sits in second place of the Eastern Conference with a whopping 27 points in 14 matches.
USL Transfer Record Shattered as Stade De Reims Swoop In For Orange County SC's Kobi Henry
Defending USL Championship title holders Orange County Soccer Club today announced the transfer of American teenage sensation Kobi Henry to French first division side Stade de Reims, the largest transfer deal in the history of the United Soccer League (USL).
Henry, 18, the first active USL player to be called up to the US National Team Senior squad, is the latest player to move to Europe through Orange County’s unique Pathway to Professional model, which has seen OCSC players transfer to first division sides in Germany, France, Scotland and Sweden.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for me and my family, a dream come true,” Kobi Henry said. “When I came across the country to play for OCSC, I knew that if I put in the work and followed the plan the coaches laid out for me, I would have the opportunity to play in Europe. I can’t thank OCSC, the staff, my teammates and the fans enough for believing in me. Playing abroad at the highest level is a great achievement in my journey as a professional soccer player and I look forward to what the future brings.”
