July 1st, Match #18 - Orange County SC vs Monterey Bay FC

July 1st, Match #18 - Orange County SC vs Monterey Bay FC

OC Aim To Keep Momentum in Milestone Matchup

This week's matchup on Saturday, July 1st will mark the tenth home game played for Orange County SC during their 2023 season. The 2023 season also happens to be the tenth season for OCSC in the city of Irvine. While it is not the tenth anniversary of the club overall, it does serve as a celebration of the oldest Western Conference club in the USL. 

Likewise Saturday, regardless of current standings, is another reminder of the partnership between OCSC and the city that it has called home for 10 years. While it has not been the smoothest stay in Irvine, it is still nevertheless where our club has played its game and ultimately where we all gather to support them. 

On top of all this pageantry, OC will also be playing a crucial game against a fellow California side in that of Monterey Bay FC. A side that Orange County have yet to even score a goal against. 

POST-MATCH REVIEW: THE PLAYOFF RACE IS IN SIGHT

POST-MATCH REVIEW: THE PLAYOFF RACE IS IN SIGHT

POST-MATCH REVIEW: THE PLAYOFF RACE IS IN SIGHT

To close out the month of June, Orange County SC traveled away for a battle against Detroit City FC. Another important shutout and win put OCSC back in the playoff race!

FIRST HALF

One of the most interesting stats about Detroit City this season is how they have yet to come back from a losing position, giving Orange County a clear goal to score as early as possible in the match. It didn't take long for them to try and capitalize on this plan with two solid offensive pushes. One was from Marc "Sparky" McNulty, who took a shot from just outside the box, and another from Ryan Doghman, who sent in a dangerous cross. Despite these chances not bearing fruit, it was a great sign to see the boys in orange and black attack so dangerously only minutes into the match.


June 24th, Match #17 - Orange County SC @ Detroit City FC

June 24th, Match #17 - Orange County SC @ Detroit City FC

Last week’s win against Tulsa was the most convincing win of the season and one that really should have been much more than 3. Everything that could have gone well did for OC. Milan scored his sixth goal of the season, Amang finally broke through with his first, Shutler generated another clean sheet, and Nakkim came up with a goal of the week nominee. 

This win however was much more important for club mentality as it was not only the first away win in around a year but also the first win in a baseball field turned soccer field. 


However OC cannot take their foot off the gas to end this long road trip as they make their final stop to one of the most intimidating venues in all of the USL. That being Keyworth Stadium, home of Detroit City FC.


POST-MATCH REVIEW: WINNING ON THE ROAD

POST-MATCH REVIEW: WINNING ON THE ROAD

This week, Orange County SC made the trip to Oklahoma to face off against FC Tulsa, hoping to fight for their first win in an away match this season.

One element that Orange County SC has struggled with all season long is inconsistency in their lineup and available players. Either through injuries or suspension, some of OCSC's best talent has been absent, but looking at the lineup this Saturday, there were some welcome returns of both Kevin Partida and Ashish Chattha.

June 10th, Match #15 - Orange County SC @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

June 10th, Match #15 - Orange County SC @ Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

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.

POST-MATCH REVIEW: EARLY ATTACKS EARN THREE POINTS

POST-MATCH REVIEW: EARLY ATTACKS EARN THREE POINTS

An amazing celebration of Pride Night at Championship Stadium saw Orange County SC welcome Rio Grande Valley FC Toros to their only home game of June.

FIRST HALF

Under the leadership of Morten Karlsen, Orange County SC has gradually performed stronger each week, and they looked to continue that trend against the Toros. The defensive form of the orange & black squad has been excellent in the past few games; however, they have unfortunately not had the same success with the offense. As a result, fans have been worried about this team's ability to find a solid finishing touch and were cautiously optimistic that everything would finally come together in this match.

In the 4th minute, Kyle Scott and Milan Iloski gave fans exactly what they had hoped for. After capitalizing on a mistake, Scott took a turnover at the half line and broke through the Toros' defensive line with Milan beside him for support. Scott pushed the ball forward to Milan for a 1v1 with RGV keeper Carlos Merancio where he easily found the back corner of the net, giving OCSC an incredibly early lead.


June 3rd, Match #14 - Orange County SC vs Rio Grande Valley FC

June 3rd, Match #14 - Orange County SC vs Rio Grande Valley FC

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. 

POST-MATCH REVIEW Miami: DEFENSIVE STALEMATE

POST-MATCH REVIEW Miami: DEFENSIVE STALEMATE

On another trip to the east coast, Orange County SC faced off against Miami FC for the second time in club history. The battle ended in a draw, but the growth in strategy and return of players from OCSC leaves fans with hope that the tides may turn on this season’s bad luck.

May 27th, Match #13 - Orange County SC @ Miami FC

May 27th, Match #13 - Orange County SC @ Miami FC

Certain games throughout the season can serve as good reminders about the states of clubs. This will be interim-head coach Morten Karlsen’s fifth game at the helm and will be a good indication just how much OC have improved or remained the same. 

This will be only Orange County’s second trip East of the Mississippi this season. In fact it will be OC’s first time ever playing in the city of Miami, Florida. In the meantime the Boys in Orange are coming off a disappointing home defeat to Phoenix in a match that they really should have gotten at least a point from. After that, OC currently stands at 11th in the West on 9 points. 

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