For the first time in a while, Orange County SC look to be in their best form. Coming off a convincing 2-0 victory last week against RGV, OC now set their sights to Colorado Springs looking to win their first road game of the year. 

Tonight is a good test to see just how much progress Karlsen has made with an inherited squad. A win would not only be the first away game since last season but will also be the first time OC will win two consecutive games since the nine-game streak in 2021 that culminated in a title. While one team is looking to have made the turn the other is in the midst of a five-game losing streak. 

Despite the rough stretch for the Switchbacks they are still currently a playoff team. However a win on Saturday for Orange County would put them level on points with said playoff team at 16 points.

The good news for Orange County is that the defense has looked to have settled down, giving up only one goal in their past three games. The offense has decided to outdo their counterparts by only scoring one goal in the past four games. 

However one thing that OC will have going for them this Saturday evening is the recent dominance they have shown against their opponent, Rio Grande Valley FC. The Toros were one of two Western Conference opponents that OC swept last season with the other being LA Galaxy II. Up to this point in the season, OC are in 11th place in the Western Conference with 10 points. 

RGV are only one point better which is good enough to put them in 10th place in the West. This matchup serves as a battle of teams who are currently under the playoff line which means that a win could be massive for either side. 

On Wednesday night, Orange County SC handed Sacramento Republic their first loss of the USL season. It was a near perfect game that was reminiscent of successful games of past years but more importantly it was a much needed win.

Wednesday night’s victory could not have come at a better time as OC will shift their focus from one Western Conference stalwart to another in that of Phoenix Rising FC. The former powerhouse in the West, Phoenix have had mediocre seasons the past couple years and this year might not be much different. Through 9 league games Phoenix only sit in 9th in the West with just three wins to show for it. However their record does not tell the whole story as they have had a number of impressive performances the last couple weeks.

The USL Academy season is upon us and serves as prime development for a number of up and coming prospects to improve their skills and make the jump into professional soccer. For Orange County their academy team Orange County SC II is placed into the Southwest Division along with academy teams from Phoenix Rising, San Diego Loyal, Arizona Arsenal SC, FC Tucson, and Ventura County Fusion.

OCSC II in the past have been mostly youth players under 20 years of age while also fielding a couple of fringe first-team players. This year’s team includes first teamers like Jonathan Gomez, Joseph Buckley, and Nico Ruiz. Their first test of the season came at home against the Phoenix Rising FC Academy this past Friday night, May 19 2023.