POST-MATCH REVIEW: WOEFUL STEPS BACK

A cold, slippery Southern California evening welcomed Orange County back from an East Coast road trip. Meeting them in Orange County would be New Mexico United who were coming off a rough stretch themselves. This was a pair of upper-table teams both looking to find some consistency. It was safe to say that New Mexico United came away from the match feeling a lot better than the hosts did. 

Orange County’s starting lineup against New Mexico on Saturday night.

FIRST HALF

Taking the pitch saw nearly the exact same lineup from last week in North Carolina minus one difference. The only difference being the inclusion of Tristan Trager at the forefront of the attack. Bryce Jamison would be replaced in part by Cameron Dunbar who switched sides in the midfield and Lyam MacKinnon dropped one back. 

The issue with the game last week was not the possession or the chance creating but it was the lack of finishing. This match looked to fix things by what we saw from the first 15 minutes or so. One of the bigger storylines coming into the match was the play of New Mexico backup keeper Kristopher Shakes who was in net in place of Alex Tambakis who was suspended for this match. To say that Shakes had an adventurous first half would be putting it lightly. 

The Orange County high press wreaked havoc on Shakes and the New Mexico backline forcing a handful of dangerous giveaways. By about 10 minutes into the game, Orange County had already had three golden opportunities to score but ultimately were not able to. They were even generating opportunities the normal way with corner kicks, with Tristan Trager almost putting his head on one within the six. Both teams would have great opportunities with former OCSC forward Thomas Amang hitting the crossbar for New Mexico in the 13’ minute. 

Both teams could have scored quite easily but New Mexico would strike first in a very frustrating way. Orange County had once again controlled the pace of play for the most part but would see a defensive lapse when Koa Santos would slide in to stop a cross but would raise his arms too high and would concede a penalty. The call itself was really quite easy for the referee to make. Talen Maples would freeze Shutler and put New Mexico up 1-0 in the 28’ minute. 

Playing from behind would still see Orange County keep the pressure on New Mexico and in the 32’ minute Ryan Doghman would find himself just at the edge of the 18-yard box but would see his shot parried away by Shakes. The first half really saw Orange County with a number of positive offensive movements. They forced Shakes to make a number of good saves and like last week against North Carolina would go into the half looking dangerous but ultimately having to play catch-up. 

SECOND HALF

With the second half whistle came the downpour as the heavens themselves were also getting upset with Orange County’s lack of scoring and perhaps tried to offer some help. The rain would backfire and Koa Santos would again slide in the box attempting to block a shot and his trailing arm deflected the shot and he would concede a second penalty. Maples stepped up to take the kick and he would score his second of the night beating Shutler to his right. It is now 2-0 New Mexico and it would not get any better. 

Colin Shutler would be called into action as he would stop Amang on a one on one in the 67’ minute in what was really quite an impressive save. With Orange County having to force the issue, they found themselves being opened up just a bit. Mukwelle Akale would be the benefactor of an Orange County giveaway but his weak shot was saved by Shutler. This game, like the majority of games this season, cannot be blamed on Colin Shutler who has been left out to dry a few times. Foreshadowing. 

In the 79’ minute, New Mexico put in a looping ball right into the middle of the box. Koa Santos goes to defend it and ultimately his touch back to Shutler fails him tremendously and lays it up right to Luiz Fernando who slotted in the third goal of the night for New Mexico. Orange County have now conceded three goals for a third time at home this season. It is only May. 

Orange County ended up using all five of their substitutions with all of Zubak, Jamison, Hegardt, War and Barjolo entering the game at points during the second half. The match would end 0-3. 

OVERVIEW

There is no easy way to beat around the bush. Orange County SC is in serious trouble in 2025. The loss to New Mexico dropped Orange County from 7th to 11th and only ahead of Lexington SC in the Western Conference. They were fortunate enough the first couple of weeks that most of the conference was sub par but that luxury is no longer present. They cannot score goals at a near consistent rate to justify a leaky defense that has yet to hold any team scoreless; 11 consecutive games conceding a goal which is the longest in club history. 

There is really nothing to blame either for the poor play. The schedule has not been the hardest, the team is quite healthy at the moment with only Ousmane Sylla out. The fact of the matter is that Orange County come next week at home against Colorado Springs are going to need to do everything in their power to score a goal just for confidence sakes. Any positive result will be much welcome when they take the stage next week in what is going to be a massive day for the club as their match will be televised on public cable television for the first time in club history.