Just days after Southern California experienced an unusual rainfall in the middle of August, the sun peaked out of the partly cloudy sky while the players from Orange County SC walked together past the chanting supporters of San Diego Loyal SC on their way to warm up on the pitch at Torero Stadium in San Diego. Following the players, came the assistant coaches and support staff before newly-minted interim head coach Richard Chaplow walked out flanked by assistant GM Peter Nugent.
Chaplow, wearing a slim white button-up and dark pants, walked past the supporters and down towards the pitch in what would be his first game at the helm of the team he used to be an assistant coach and captain for. With the stakes this match carried, OCSC’s performance was even more magnified especially after the events that transpired 72 hours before.
Again, rain was falling uncharacteristically three days earlier as OCSC were defeated by the youthful Tacoma Defiance, 3-0, in what was the final match of former head coach Braedan Cloutier at Championship Soccer Stadium. Cloutier had led the club to the Western Conference Final in his first year as head coach and made a repeat trip to the postseason a season later. After the 2020 season which was marred by the pandemic, Cloutier was tasked to bring a title to Orange County during the 2021 USL Championship season.
President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss and the club brought attacking players like Adam Jahn, Chris Wehan, Eero Markkanen and former USL League One Golden Boot Winner Ronaldo Damus to Orange County. While defenders Kevin Alston, Rob Kiernan and captain Michael Orozco returned to make up an experienced backline in front of newly-signed German goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky.
OCSC kicked off their season in Tacoma where they not only lost 1-0 but also lost Jahn to an injury that ended his campaign. However, OCSC earned their first win of the season in their home opener a few days later in front of fans for the first time since March 2020. From there, the club found their groove and Damus became a titular player in the attacking front as the team’s leading scorer. The 21-year-old Haitian international earned a call-up to play for his national team for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup from June to July while OCSC was on an eight game undefeated stretch.
Come August, OCSC found themselves having only won just one match in their last eight attempts. Bringing a championship, let alone competing for one in Orange County was fading away. Wehan, who was the team’s second leading scorer, was transferred back to New Mexico United for a record fee while Sean ‘Ugo’ Okoli, last season’s team leading scorer, returned to Orange County after a short stint in Texas. Okoli started for OCSC on the rainy night that was the last match for Cloutier and the last match that Chaplow would be on the bench as an assistant coach.
Chaplow’s first match as a head coach in his career was a tall task—away in San Diego against a budding rival in front of their fanbase. To make it even taller, OCSC gave up a goal early in the second half. While Torero Stadium erupted after their team’s goal, Chaplow looked out to his 11 men on the field and signaled to calm down and refocus.
Minutes later, OCSC equalized. Alston dished out a curling through ball from the left wing to Damus who used his speed to push towards goal and added to his goal scoring tally. While the 50 or so diehard OCSC fans from the County Line Coalition that made the trip down the 5 South continued to celebrate the equalizer, OCSC received a gift from their adversaries that would put the team in orange on top.
An own goal from San Diego gave OCSC the unexpected lead following Okoli, or more commonly known as, Ugo, continued presence on the ball. Ugo kept the ball alive and pushed back into the middle of the penalty area where it deflected off a San Diego leg, landing in the back of his own net. OCSC preserved that 2-1 lead all the way to the end which marked the turning point of the season.
This began a new era that will forever be etched in Orange County history.
Just days after Southern California experienced an unusual rainfall in the middle of August, the sun peaked out of the partly cloudy sky while the players from Orange County SC walked together past the chanting supporters of San Diego Loyal SC on their way to warm up on the pitch at Torero Stadium in San Diego. Following the players, came the assistant coaches and support staff before newly-minted interim head coach Richard Chaplow walked out flanked by assistant GM Peter Nugent.
Chaplow, wearing a slim white button-up and dark pants, walked past the supporters and down towards the pitch in what would be his first game at the helm of the team he used to be an assistant coach and captain for. With the stakes this match carried, OCSC’s performance was even more magnified especially after the events that transpired 72 hours before.
Again, rain was falling uncharacteristically three days earlier as OCSC were defeated by the youthful Tacoma Defiance, 3-0, in what was the final match of former head coach Braedan Cloutier at Championship Soccer Stadium. Cloutier had led the club to the Western Conference Final in his first year as head coach and made a repeat trip to the postseason a season later. After the 2020 season which was marred by the pandemic, Cloutier was tasked to bring a title to Orange County during the 2021 USL Championship season.
President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss and the club brought attacking players like Adam Jahn, Chris Wehan, Eero Markkanen and former USL League One Golden Boot Winner Ronaldo Damus to Orange County. While defenders Kevin Alston, Rob Kiernan and captain Michael Orozco returned to make up an experienced backline in front of newly-signed German goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky.
OCSC kicked off their season in Tacoma where they not only lost 1-0 but also lost Jahn to an injury that ended his campaign. However, OCSC earned their first win of the season in their home opener a few days later in front of fans for the first time since March 2020. From there, the club found their groove and Damus became a titular player in the attacking front as the team’s leading scorer. The 21-year-old Haitian international earned a call-up to play for his national team for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup from June to July while OCSC was on an eight game undefeated stretch.
Come August, OCSC found themselves having only won just one match in their last eight attempts. Bringing a championship, let alone competing for one in Orange County was fading away. Wehan, who was the team’s second leading scorer, was transferred back to New Mexico United for a record fee while Sean ‘Ugo’ Okoli, last season’s team leading scorer, returned to Orange County after a short stint in Texas. Okoli started for OCSC on the rainy night that was the last match for Cloutier and the last match that Chaplow would be on the bench as an assistant coach.
Chaplow’s first match as a head coach in his career was a tall task—away in San Diego against a budding rival in front of their fanbase. To make it even taller, OCSC gave up a goal early in the second half. While Torero Stadium erupted after their team’s goal, Chaplow looked out to his 11 men on the field and signaled to calm down and refocus.
Minutes later, OCSC equalized. Alston dished out a curling through ball from the left wing to Damus who used his speed to push towards goal and added to his goal scoring tally. While the 50 or so diehard OCSC fans from the County Line Coalition that made the trip down the 5 South continued to celebrate the equalizer, OCSC received a gift from their adversaries that would put the team in orange on top.
An own goal from San Diego gave OCSC the unexpected lead following Okoli, or more commonly known as, Ugo, continued presence on the ball. Ugo kept the ball alive and pushed back into the middle of the penalty area where it deflected off a San Diego leg, landing in the back of his own net. OCSC preserved that 2-1 lead all the way to the end which marked the turning point of the season.
This began a new era that will forever be etched in Orange County history.
In a season where the schedule was saturated with regional matches, OCSC still traveled across the country to play fellow USL originals Charleston Battery in South Carolina. It was a scoreless draw at Patriots Point, but a familiar face in veteran and goalscorer Thomas Enevoldsen made his long-awaited return to the pitch after being sidelined with injury since the end of May. The former Danish international’s role would be featured as a late substitute where he still made an impact in the game.
OCSC returned home to open up the penultimate month of the regular season against an in-form El Paso Locomotive FC during one of Orange County’s revered Beer Fests. With second half goals from Damus and Ugo, OCSC was poised to earn their first win at home since June. However, OCSC conceded a late goal and played to a draw. Despite this, Ugo got on the scoresheet for the first time since arriving right before the coaching change.
A week later, OCSC squared off with another youthful side, Las Vegas Lights FC, in Irvine. That evening Rob Kiernan, Enevoldsen and Ronaldo Damus all found the back of the net to earn their first home win in two months. The last time that happened Abraham Romero was in net and OCSC’s young core with the likes of Francis Jacobs, Kobi Henry and Jack Imperato featured on the bench.
Richard Chaplow, still undefeated as head coach, took his team to the desert to face rivals Phoenix Rising FC at Wild Horse Pass in Arizona for the second time in a month. Phoenix equalized in the last breath of their previous meeting and then drew first blood in what was a wild evening for both teams. Phoenix thought they had got their second goal, but it was ruled that former OCSC midfielder Aodhan Quinn was in an offside position.
OCSC, now up a man following a Phoenix red card, equalized with Damus’s fourth goal in five games which came from a looping cross served by midfielder Brian Iloski. OCSC regained their footing the match and looked for the second goal, though, with just minutes left, Phoenix got one past Rakovsky and took all three points.
Even with a new coach, OCSC still suffered from giving up last minute goals. In the final game of September, fortunes were reversed in front of the home crowd. Facing a team that they have beaten twice before, OCSC played from behind against USL newcomers Oakland Roots SC after conceding the game’s first goal.
Not as known for his goalscoring than his defense, captain and Orange County’s own Michael Orozco was due to find the back of the net. The former U.S. National Team player had not scored since the 2019 USL Championship season. It took an Orozco header that connected with Iloski’s cross from a free kick to bounce into the goal in the 45+1’ of the first half. The 35-year-old defender ran towards the corner flag and broke out his celebratory dance while his teammates swarmed him.
Forty-five minutes later, Oakland conceded a corner kick to OCSC and looked to defend it to keep the match even. Iloski whipped in another cross with his left foot that flew and bounced over the heads jostling for the ball in the penalty area. Midfielder Dillon Powers made a backdoor run and one-timed the ball back into the middle of the penalty box where Mikko Kuningas shot the ball through a forest of legs and into the back of the net.
The Finnish midfielder, who received the second most amount of yellow cards in the league, celebrated the game winner by running towards OCSC’s most loyal supporters, the County Line Coalition. Kuningas soared over the field boards followed by his teammates and went right up to where the Coalition stood at the front of the general admission bleachers. Kuningas came out of the sea of arms and orange smoke with his long hair flowing out of what used to be a tight man-bun.
There are moments that define a club’s culture through the players' connections with their fans. Most of the time, it happens before or after matches as fans are not on the field and players are not in the stands. And, after a year and a half of playing in empty stadiums with artificial noise. It becomes even more special when it happens at a time where the team can be rallied to success by their fans in the stadium.
In a season where the schedule was saturated with regional matches, OCSC still traveled across the country to play fellow USL originals Charleston Battery in South Carolina. It was a scoreless draw at Patriots Point, but a familiar face in veteran and goalscorer Thomas Enevoldsen made his long-awaited return to the pitch after being sidelined with injury since the end of May. The former Danish international’s role would be featured as a late substitute where he still made an impact in the game.
OCSC returned home to open up the penultimate month of the regular season against an in-form El Paso Locomotive FC during one of Orange County’s revered Beer Fests. With second half goals from Damus and Ugo, OCSC was poised to earn their first win at home since June. However, OCSC conceded a late goal and played to a draw. Despite this, Ugo got on the scoresheet for the first time since arriving right before the coaching change.
A week later, OCSC squared off with another youthful side, Las Vegas Lights FC, in Irvine. That evening Rob Kiernan, Enevoldsen and Ronaldo Damus all found the back of the net to earn their first home win in two months. The last time that happened Abraham Romero was in net and OCSC’s young core with the likes of Francis Jacobs, Kobi Henry and Jack Imperato featured on the bench.
Richard Chaplow, still undefeated as head coach, took his team to the desert to face rivals Phoenix Rising FC at Wild Horse Pass in Arizona for the second time in a month. Phoenix equalized in the last breath of their previous meeting and then drew first blood in what was a wild evening for both teams. Phoenix thought they had got their second goal, but it was ruled that former OCSC midfielder Aodhan Quinn was in an offside position.
OCSC, now up a man following a Phoenix red card, equalized with Damus’s fourth goal in five games which came from a looping cross served by midfielder Brian Iloski. OCSC regained their footing the match and looked for the second goal, though, with just minutes left, Phoenix got one past Rakovsky and took all three points.
Even with a new coach, OCSC still suffered from giving up last minute goals. In the final game of September, fortunes were reversed in front of the home crowd. Facing a team that they have beaten twice before, OCSC played from behind against USL newcomers Oakland Roots SC after conceding the game’s first goal.
Not as known for his goalscoring than his defense, captain and Orange County’s own Michael Orozco was due to find the back of the net. The former U.S. National Team player had not scored since the 2019 USL Championship season. It took an Orozco header that connected with Iloski’s cross from a free kick to bounce into the goal in the 45+1’ of the first half. The 35-year-old defender ran towards the corner flag and broke out his celebratory dance while his teammates swarmed him.
Forty-five minutes later, Oakland conceded a corner kick to OCSC and looked to defend it to keep the match even. Iloski whipped in another cross with his left foot that flew and bounced over the heads jostling for the ball in the penalty area. Midfielder Dillon Powers made a backdoor run and one-timed the ball back into the middle of the penalty box where Mikko Kuningas shot the ball through a forest of legs and into the back of the net.
The Finnish midfielder, who received the second most amount of yellow cards in the league, celebrated the game winner by running towards OCSC’s most loyal supporters, the County Line Coalition. Kuningas soared over the field boards followed by his teammates and went right up to where the Coalition stood at the front of the general admission bleachers. Kuningas came out of the sea of arms and orange smoke with his long hair flowing out of what used to be a tight man-bun.
There are moments that define a club’s culture through the players’ connections with their fans. Most of the time, it happens before or after matches as fans are not on the field and players are not in the stands. And, after a year and a half of playing in empty stadiums with artificial noise. It becomes even more special when it happens at a time where the team can be rallied to success by their fans in the stadium.
Seven games in October were all that remained for OCSC to play for during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. Since Richard Chaplow took over, the team was trending in a more positive direction. Yet, they were still on the outside-looking-in when it came to securing a second place finish within the Pacific Division which meant hosting rights in the first round of playoffs.
With beers and fans pouring in on a warm October evening, OCSC looked to avenge their loss against Phoenix Rising FC in their first meeting in Orange County. Again, OCSC fell short losing 1-0 in front of a record breaking crowd of 5,130 at Championship Soccer Stadium.
OCSC had one more chance to beat their desert rivals in a matter of eleven days, but had to travel up to the Pacific Northwest to play Tacoma Defiance. It was raining, wet and muddy in Tacoma and OCSC conceded four goals, tied for the most for the season. The positive was that midfielder Ben Mines, who arrived on loan midseason, scored his first goal in an Orange County kit.
The next five matches were crucial. They were all scheduled to take place in the state of California against divisional rivals meaning every match carried playoff implications. It began with a midweek clash with Phoenix.
During OCSC’s annual Fiesta de Fùtbol celebration, the home team traded in their orange kits for ones that were bright pink with yellow accents. Mines scored in the 18’ with a tap-in and the assist credited to Ugo Okoli. The rest of the way OCSC kept Phoenix off the board due to a stellar defensive performance from the backline.
Next, OCSC visited Oakland’s official home stadium at Laney College and blanked the Roots to sweep the season series. After Powers got his first half penalty kick blocked, Mines scored his third consecutive goal off a low cross from Ronaldo Damus.
The team had put up two strong and consistent performances on defense that featured the veterans and 17-year-old centerback Kobi Henry. In their third to last regular season game against San Diego Loyal SC, who were accompanied by a busload of their supporters, the defense stood tall and shut down the opposition. And, the OCSC offense needed just one set piece to make their mark on the match.
Midfielder Eric Calvillo and Iloski stood over the ball that sat just above the penalty area waiting for the referee to signal the go-ahead to take the free kick. Iloski feigned a motion toward the ball while Calvillo approached and shot on a curling free kick past the outstretched goalkeeper.
As soon as he realized he had scored, Calvillo ran straight to the bench and lept in the open arms of assistant coach Didier Crettenand. Since Calvillo arrived midseason, the Salvadoran international came close to scoring directly from free kicks and he continued to work with Crettenand in training to master the shot that ultimately sent OCSC into the playoffs.
The victory against San Diego gave OCSC the tiebreaker, having won two of the four in-season matches. With a little external help, OCSC had to win their last two matches to host a coveted first round playoff match. In the final regular season home game, OCSC and its fans went through a rollercoaster of emotions in the four minutes of second half stoppage time against Las Vegas Lights FC.
An own goal by Las Vegas in the 65’ gave the lead to Orange County and it looked like it was going to be enough to seal the victory until the Lights equalized in the 90+1’. It was the first goal that OCSC had given up in three matches.
Quick off the restart, OCSC pushed towards goal and it was Enevoldsen that led the charge weaving through defenders. The ball found one of OCSC’s longest tenured players, Darwin Jones, who was also sidelined for most of the season with injury. Jones dribbled across the penalty box and laid the ball off to Damus who sent a low curler into the bottom right corner for the game winner.
After the final whistle, the team went over to the County Line Coalition area which had grown in numbers to celebrate and take a picture with them on Fan Appreciation Night. The next day San Diego fell in a seven goal thriller to Oakland which gave OCSC control of their own destiny for the race for second place.
It took 90+4’ on a foggy evening at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium for OCSC to score against LA Galaxy II and to clinch second place in the Pacific Division. Most of that evening, LA controlled possession and had numerous chances that were eventually quelled by the OCSC backline and Rakovsky. It was on a counter-attack that Damus found Enevoldsen in open space and the Dane fought off two defenders closing in to emphatically net the game winner.
Just one goal allowed in their last five games that all resulted in OCSC victories and the club was flying in hot into the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.
Seven games in October were all that remained for OCSC to play for during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. Since Richard Chaplow took over, the team was trending in a more positive direction. Yet, they were still on the outside-looking-in when it came to securing a second place finish within the Pacific Division which meant hosting rights in the first round of playoffs.
With beers and fans pouring in on a warm October evening, OCSC looked to avenge their loss against Phoenix Rising FC in their first meeting in Orange County. Again, OCSC fell short losing 1-0 in front of a record breaking crowd of 5,130 at Championship Soccer Stadium.
OCSC had one more chance to beat their desert rivals in a matter of eleven days, but had to travel up to the Pacific Northwest to play Tacoma Defiance. It was raining, wet and muddy in Tacoma and OCSC conceded four goals, tied for the most for the season. The positive was that midfielder Ben Mines, who arrived on loan midseason, scored his first goal in an Orange County kit.
The next five matches were crucial. They were all scheduled to take place in the state of California against divisional rivals meaning every match carried playoff implications. It began with a midweek clash with Phoenix.
During OCSC’s annual Fiesta de Fùtbol celebration, the home team traded in their orange kits for ones that were bright pink with yellow accents. Mines scored in the 18’ with a tap-in and the assist credited to Ugo Okoli. The rest of the way OCSC kept Phoenix off the board due to a stellar defensive performance from the backline.
Next, OCSC visited Oakland’s official home stadium at Laney College and blanked the Roots to sweep the season series. After Powers got his first half penalty kick blocked, Mines scored his third consecutive goal off a low cross from Ronaldo Damus.
The team had put up two strong and consistent performances on defense that featured the veterans and 17-year-old centerback Kobi Henry. In their third to last regular season game against San Diego Loyal SC, who were accompanied by a busload of their supporters, the defense stood tall and shut down the opposition. And, the OCSC offense needed just one set piece to make their mark on the match.
Midfielder Eric Calvillo and Iloski stood over the ball that sat just above the penalty area waiting for the referee to signal the go-ahead to take the free kick. Iloski feigned a motion toward the ball while Calvillo approached and shot on a curling free kick past the outstretched goalkeeper.
As soon as he realized he had scored, Calvillo ran straight to the bench and lept in the open arms of assistant coach Didier Crettenand. Since Calvillo arrived midseason, the Salvadoran international came close to scoring directly from free kicks and he continued to work with Crettenand in training to master the shot that ultimately sent OCSC into the playoffs.
The victory against San Diego gave OCSC the tiebreaker, having won two of the four in-season matches. With a little external help, OCSC had to win their last two matches to host a coveted first round playoff match. In the final regular season home game, OCSC and its fans went through a rollercoaster of emotions in the four minutes of second half stoppage time against Las Vegas Lights FC.
An own goal by Las Vegas in the 65’ gave the lead to Orange County and it looked like it was going to be enough to seal the victory until the Lights equalized in the 90+1’. It was the first goal that OCSC had given up in three matches.
Quick off the restart, OCSC pushed towards goal and it was Enevoldsen that led the charge weaving through defenders. The ball found one of OCSC’s longest tenured players, Darwin Jones, who was also sidelined for most of the season with injury. Jones dribbled across the penalty box and laid the ball off to Damus who sent a low curler into the bottom right corner for the game winner.
After the final whistle, the team went over to the County Line Coalition area which had grown in numbers to celebrate and take a picture with them on Fan Appreciation Night. The next day San Diego fell in a seven goal thriller to Oakland which gave OCSC control of their own destiny for the race for second place.
It took 90+4’ on a foggy evening at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium for OCSC to score against LA Galaxy II and to clinch second place in the Pacific Division. Most of that evening, LA controlled possession and had numerous chances that were eventually quelled by the OCSC backline and Rakovsky. It was on a counter-attack that Damus found Enevoldsen in open space and the Dane fought off two defenders closing in to emphatically net the game winner.
Just one goal allowed in their last five games that all resulted in OCSC victories and the club was flying in hot into the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.
“Job’s Not Done”was a rally cry coined by the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and brought forward by OCSC midfielder Eric Calvillo who hails from nearby Palmdale, CA. That phrase became the motto for OCSC on the field and for its fans during the quest for an unprecedented achievement in winning the USL Championship title.
The first step in OCSC’s playoff journey was to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who were led by the 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot winner Hadji Barry, after scoring 25 goals in the regular season. A half-hour into this Western Conference Quarterfinal match, one of Colorado attackers threatened to breakaway towards Patrick Rakovsky’s goal, but was challenged from behind by OCSC’s center-back Rob Kiernan and was shown a red card.
As Kiernan walked off the field without protestation, head coach Richard Chaplow looked down at his bench and signaled for Kobi Henry to start warming up. The 17-year-old was just called up to the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team for a tournament in Mexico and was due to miss OCSC’s next match should they advance. That became an afterthought as the odds of OCSC playing in the next round were certainly not in their favor having to play with 10 men the rest of the evening.
In the 45+1’, defender Brent Richards, known for his long and booming throw-ins, jogged over to the sideline down near the attacking corner area. Richards got the ball and lofted one of his signature throw-ins into the middle of the penalty area. The ball bounced off some heads before midfielder Tommy McCabe attempted a shot on goal. It did not reach the goal, but it did land at the feet of forward Ronaldo Damus who turned and rifled the shot past the goalkeeper.
Damus’s goal sent shockwaves and orange smoke across Championship Soccer Stadium and OCSC went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead. It was all that OCSC needed on offense and the defense shut down Colorado to earn an improbable win.
The evening before, Oakland Roots SC upset El Paso Locomotive FC meaning that OCSC would have to face their divisional rivals for a fifth time. In addition, this match would take place in Orange County which was one less thing for the officially-named head coach Chaplow and his staff to think about as they faced a bigger challenge—replacing two center-backs.
With Kiernan suspended and Henry on international duty, OCSC entered the Western Conference Semifinal with four defenders and Kevin Alston sliding into the center back position next to Michael Orozco while Richards and Nate Smith played on the wings. This backline did not allow a single goal for 120’ as OCSC and Oakland headed into penalty kicks.
Each team made their first five kicks to set-up the sudden death rounds of spot kicks. Rakovsky faced Oakland’s Akeem Ward who ran up and struck the ball towards the bottom right corner. Rakovsky lunged that way and blocked the shot giving OCSC the advantage. It was going to be Damus to send the club to their second Western Conference Final.
Damus waited for the whistle and began his run-up that involved taking a stutter step before kicking the ball with his right foot. It was blocked. Damus was frustrated and was walking away until Rakovsky sprinted toward him and explained to him that he gets another chance. The Oakland goalkeeper prematurely came off his line before Damus shot the ball earning the Haitian goalscorer a retake.
This time, Damus made sure the ball was out of reach of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Championship Soccer Stadium erupted and so did Damus’s teammates that ran towards him and pushed the mosh towards the County Line Coalition. For the second time in their history, OCSC were to host the Western Conference Final and a chance to compete for the USL Championship Title.
San Antonio FC came into Orange County having defeated San Diego Loyal SC and Rio Grande Valley FC with ease and bytwo goal margins. And, they looked to score more goals against a defense that had given up just one goal in their last seven matches. The good news for OCSC was that Kiernan and Henry both came back to bolster the depleted defensive corps.
Almost identical to the throw-in that led to the goal against Colorado Springs, Richards threw another one into the middle of the penalty area. Damus, so casually, volleyed the ball with his right foot past the San Antonio defenders and goalkeeper for the opening goal. The lead would stand until the 67’ when San Antonio equalized. It remained that way through 120’ and for the second consecutive time, OCSC went to penalty kicks.
With the spot kicks to be taken in front of a packed general admission bleachers that included the County Line Coalition, OCSC opted to go first and sent midfielder Seth Casiple to give the club the early advantage. He scored and so did Dillon Powers, Ben Mines and Thomas Enevoldsen. San Antonio’s fourth penalty taker had his shot hit the post and out of play.
Ugo Okoli, who came back to OCSC and bounced from the starting XI to an impact substitute role in the playoffs, approached the penalty spot knowing that his kick could send the club to its first USL Championship Final. The whistle blew and he masterfully hit a rolling ball into the bottom right corner to send OCSC to the Final.
The record breaking crowd of 5,386 erupted into deafening cheers as the players all hugged each other and received the first trophy of the club’s history. The champagne popped and flowed in the locker room as the Western Conference Championship Cup was passed around while the speakers blared Oasis’s “Wonderwall”. Eventually, the celebrations subsided and the club went back to training to finish the job against the Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Rowdies.
“Job’s Not Done”was a rally cry coined by the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and brought forward by OCSC midfielder Eric Calvillo who hails from nearby Palmdale, CA. That phrase became the motto for OCSC on the field and for its fans during the quest for an unprecedented achievement in winning the USL Championship title.
The first step in OCSC’s playoff journey was to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who were led by the 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot winner Hadji Barry, after scoring 25 goals in the regular season. A half-hour into this Western Conference Quarterfinal match, one of Colorado attackers threatened to breakaway towards Patrick Rakovsky’s goal, but was challenged from behind by OCSC’s center-back Rob Kiernan and was shown a red card.
As Kiernan walked off the field without protestation, head coach Richard Chaplow looked down at his bench and signaled for Kobi Henry to start warming up. The 17-year-old was just called up to the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team for a tournament in Mexico and was due to miss OCSC’s next match should they advance. That became an afterthought as the odds of OCSC playing in the next round were certainly not in their favor having to play with 10 men the rest of the evening.
In the 45+1’, defender Brent Richards, known for his long and booming throw-ins, jogged over to the sideline down near the attacking corner area. Richards got the ball and lofted one of his signature throw-ins into the middle of the penalty area. The ball bounced off some heads before midfielder Tommy McCabe attempted a shot on goal. It did not reach the goal, but it did land at the feet of forward Ronaldo Damus who turned and rifled the shot past the goalkeeper.
Damus’s goal sent shockwaves and orange smoke across Championship Soccer Stadium and OCSC went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead. It was all that OCSC needed on offense and the defense shut down Colorado to earn an improbable win.
The evening before, Oakland Roots SC upset El Paso Locomotive FC meaning that OCSC would have to face their divisional rivals for a fifth time. In addition, this match would take place in Orange County which was one less thing for the officially-named head coach Chaplow and his staff to think about as they faced a bigger challenge—replacing two center-backs.
With Kiernan suspended and Henry on international duty, OCSC entered the Western Conference Semifinal with four defenders and Kevin Alston sliding into the center back position next to Michael Orozco while Richards and Nate Smith played on the wings. This backline did not allow a single goal for 120’ as OCSC and Oakland headed into penalty kicks.
Each team made their first five kicks to set-up the sudden death rounds of spot kicks. Rakovsky faced Oakland’s Akeem Ward who ran up and struck the ball towards the bottom right corner. Rakovsky lunged that way and blocked the shot giving OCSC the advantage. It was going to be Damus to send the club to their second Western Conference Final.
Damus waited for the whistle and began his run-up that involved taking a stutter step before kicking the ball with his right foot. It was blocked. Damus was frustrated and was walking away until Rakovsky sprinted toward him and explained to him that he gets another chance. The Oakland goalkeeper prematurely came off his line before Damus shot the ball earning the Haitian goalscorer a retake.
This time, Damus made sure the ball was out of reach of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Championship Soccer Stadium erupted and so did Damus’s teammates that ran towards him and pushed the mosh towards the County Line Coalition. For the second time in their history, OCSC were to host the Western Conference Final and a chance to compete for the USL Championship Title.
San Antonio FC came into Orange County having defeated San Diego Loyal SC and Rio Grande Valley FC with ease and bytwo goal margins. And, they looked to score more goals against a defense that had given up just one goal in their last seven matches. The good news for OCSC was that Kiernan and Henry both came back to bolster the depleted defensive corps.
Almost identical to the throw-in that led to the goal against Colorado Springs, Richards threw another one into the middle of the penalty area. Damus, so casually, volleyed the ball with his right foot past the San Antonio defenders and goalkeeper for the opening goal. The lead would stand until the 67’ when San Antonio equalized. It remained that way through 120’ and for the second consecutive time, OCSC went to penalty kicks.
With the spot kicks to be taken in front of a packed general admission bleachers that included the County Line Coalition, OCSC opted to go first and sent midfielder Seth Casiple to give the club the early advantage. He scored and so did Dillon Powers, Ben Mines and Thomas Enevoldsen. San Antonio’s fourth penalty taker had his shot hit the post and out of play.
Ugo Okoli, who came back to OCSC and bounced from the starting XI to an impact substitute role in the playoffs, approached the penalty spot knowing that his kick could send the club to its first USL Championship Final. The whistle blew and he masterfully hit a rolling ball into the bottom right corner to send OCSC to the Final.
The record breaking crowd of 5,386 erupted into deafening cheers as the players all hugged each other and received the first trophy of the club’s history. The champagne popped and flowed in the locker room as the Western Conference Championship Cup was passed around while the speakers blared Oasis’s “Wonderwall”. Eventually, the celebrations subsided and the club went back to training to finish the job against the Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The fourth week of November in the United States is mostly reserved for feasting on turkey, reuniting with family and trying to get the best deals on gifts for the holiday season. For OCSC, the week looked slightly different as it prepared to compete for the 2021 USL Championship title on Sunday, November 28 on the Worldwide Leader of Sports, ESPN, against the regular season champion Tampa Bay Rowdies in St. Petersburg, FL.
Coupled with preparations on the field, players joined interviews with local and national media outlets to talk about their experience that season and what it means for the club and the county. Despite OCSC never playing Tampa Bay before, head coach Richard Chaplow was very familiar with their head coach, Neill Collins. They were teammates back in their playing careers in England and remained friends as they embarked in similar adventures on this side of the pond.
That same week, Collins was named the 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Year after leading his Tampa Bay squad to a second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. On the pitch, Tampa Bay had the Defender of the Year Forrest Lasso and Goalkeeper of the Year Evan Louro. OCSC did not have one player nominated for any individual award or all-league team.
The OCSC traveling party arrived in The Sunshine State late in the evening on Black Friday and prepared to play their first away playoff game of the season. The next day, OCSC had a light training session across the bay in Tampa on a field that defender and Florida-native Kobi Henry used to train and play tournaments just a matter years ago during his pre-professional days. As the evening rolled in, players began setting into their routines for the biggest game of the season.
Sunday evening’s setting for the Final was the historic field of Al Lang Stadium nestled on the banks of the Tampa Bay in downtown St. Petersburg. A unique venue that used to be the home of baseball, has developed into one of the most hostile environments in the USL Championship. Tampa Baysupporters lived up to the name of the team they root for and they filled the stadium with noise and excitement. OCSC had their own group of supporters, albeit small, made up of player family and friends and members of the County Line Coalition.
The final stage was set complete with pyrotechnics and fireworks during the national anthem and the game kicked off. Playing in their blue away kits, an homage to partner club Rangers FC from Glasgow, Scotland, OCSC defended Tampa Bay’s early advances on goal. For the opening 20 minutes, it seemed that Tampa Bay controlled most of the possession and had earned the game’s first clear chance on goal after drawing a foul in the penalty box.
The foul was against veteran defender Kevin Alston and Tampa Bay forward Sebastain Guenzatti stepped up to take the penalty shot against OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky. The shot went to Rakovsky’s right and so did the German shot stopper who blocked the attempt out of play. Al Lang Stadium let out a collective groan, while OCSC’s bench and a group of 20 or so family, friends and fans cheered and celebrated the save.
Five minutes later, the momentum shifted. Tampa Bay, without their starting goalkeeper Louro, started their possessions from the backline. OCSC sent up Eric Calvillo and Ronaldo Damus to provide pressure and forced the backline to make an error. One of Tampa Bay’s defenders attempted to send a pass across the penalty area to his teammate, but it was easily intercepted by Damus who had a wide open net to shoot from. In one motion, Damus curled the ball into the net to give OCSC the 1-0 lead.
Fast forward 13 minutes, Damus gave OCSC their second goal following a cross from Calvillo. Damus received the cross and chipped the ball up to himself and sent a bouncing ball past Tampa Bay’s goalkeeper. Just when OCSC’s dream start had nothing else to offer, it got even better right before the halftime whistle.
Calvillo was on the receiving end of a harsh foul on top of the penalty area. Finnish midfielder Mikko Kuningas went over to set the ball up for the ensuing free kick. Play resumed and Kuningas approached the ball and hit a curling left-footer into the back of the net. Al Lang Stadium was silent, save for the OCSC supporters.
With a 3-0 lead in the second half, OCSC were on its way to earning their first ever USL Championship title after a season full of adversity. Tampa Bay, who had its fair share of remarkable comebacks, did get a goal back. However, Michael Orozco and Rob Kiernan put on a defensive masterclass in front of Rakovsky to preserve the victory.
When it was all said and done, OCSC triumphantly celebrated with each other, their coaches, with President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss and Owner and CEO James Keston. Damus was awarded the Finals MVP and Orozco lifted the USL’s biggest trophy. More champagne popped and flowed as “Wonderwall” by Oasis continued to blast from the speakers before the team returned home to Orange County.
The celebration of the club’s biggest success was shared with its fans in Tampa Bay, at the watch party at Left Coast Brewing Co in Irvine or even to the new fans that had just discovered the team. Through all odds, predictions and circumstances, OCSC and its family stuck through changes and adjustments to win their final nine games and bring a big trophy home.
The fourth week of November in the United States is mostly reserved for feasting on turkey, reuniting with family and trying to get the best deals on gifts for the holiday season. For OCSC, the week looked slightly different as it prepared to compete for the 2021 USL Championship title on Sunday, November 28 on the Worldwide Leader of Sports, ESPN, against the regular season champion Tampa Bay Rowdies in St. Petersburg, FL.
Coupled with preparations on the field, players joined interviews with local and national media outlets to talk about their experience that season and what it means for the club and the county. Despite OCSC never playing Tampa Bay before, head coach Richard Chaplow was very familiar with their head coach, Neill Collins. They were teammates back in their playing careers in England and remained friends as they embarked in similar adventures on this side of the pond.
That same week, Collins was named the 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Year after leading his Tampa Bay squad to a second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. On the pitch, Tampa Bay had the Defender of the Year Forrest Lasso and Goalkeeper of the Year Evan Louro. OCSC did not have one player nominated for any individual award or all-league team.
The OCSC traveling party arrived in The Sunshine State late in the evening on Black Friday and prepared to play their first away playoff game of the season. The next day, OCSC had a light training session across the bay in Tampa on a field that defender and Florida-native Kobi Henry used to train and play tournaments just a matter years ago during his pre-professional days. As the evening rolled in, players began setting into their routines for the biggest game of the season.
Sunday evening’s setting for the Final was the historic field of Al Lang Stadium nestled on the banks of the Tampa Bay in downtown St. Petersburg. A unique venue that used to be the home of baseball, has developed into one of the most hostile environments in the USL Championship. Tampa Baysupporters lived up to the name of the team they root for and they filled the stadium with noise and excitement. OCSC had their own group of supporters, albeit small, made up of player family and friends and members of the County Line Coalition.
The final stage was set complete with pyrotechnics and fireworks during the national anthem and the game kicked off. Playing in their blue away kits, an homage to partner club Rangers FC from Glasgow, Scotland, OCSC defended Tampa Bay’s early advances on goal. For the opening 20 minutes, it seemed that Tampa Bay controlled most of the possession and had earned the game’s first clear chance on goal after drawing a foul in the penalty box.
The foul was against veteran defender Kevin Alston and Tampa Bay forward Sebastain Guenzatti stepped up to take the penalty shot against OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky. The shot went to Rakovsky’s right and so did the German shot stopper who blocked the attempt out of play. Al Lang Stadium let out a collective groan, while OCSC’s bench and a group of 20 or so family, friends and fans cheered and celebrated the save.
Five minutes later, the momentum shifted. Tampa Bay, without their starting goalkeeper Louro, started their possessions from the backline. OCSC sent up Eric Calvillo and Ronaldo Damus to provide pressure and forced the backline to make an error. One of Tampa Bay’s defenders attempted to send a pass across the penalty area to his teammate, but it was easily intercepted by Damus who had a wide open net to shoot from. In one motion, Damus curled the ball into the net to give OCSC the 1-0 lead.
Fast forward 13 minutes, Damus gave OCSC their second goal following a cross from Calvillo. Damus received the cross and chipped the ball up to himself and sent a bouncing ball past Tampa Bay’s goalkeeper. Just when OCSC’s dream start had nothing else to offer, it got even better right before the halftime whistle.
Calvillo was on the receiving end of a harsh foul on top of the penalty area. Finnish midfielder Mikko Kuningas went over to set the ball up for the ensuing free kick. Play resumed and Kuningas approached the ball and hit a curling left-footer into the back of the net. Al Lang Stadium was silent, save for the OCSC supporters.
With a 3-0 lead in the second half, OCSC were on its way to earning their first ever USL Championship title after a season full of adversity. Tampa Bay, who had its fair share of remarkable comebacks, did get a goal back. However, Michael Orozco and Rob Kiernan put on a defensive masterclass in front of Rakovsky to preserve the victory.
When it was all said and done, OCSC triumphantly celebrated with each other, their coaches, with President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss and Owner and CEO James Keston. Damus was awarded the Finals MVP and Orozco lifted the USL’s biggest trophy. More champagne popped and flowed as “Wonderwall” by Oasis continued to blast from the speakers before the team returned home to Orange County.
The celebration of the club’s biggest success was shared with its fans in Tampa Bay, at the watch party at Left Coast Brewing Co in Irvine or even to the new fans that had just discovered the team. Through all odds, predictions and circumstances, OCSC and its family stuck through changes and adjustments to win their final nine games and bring a big trophy home.
Following OCSC’s USL Championship victory, forward Thomas Enevoldsen announced his retirement from professional soccer that included a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Denmark. He finished as the club’s third highest scorer all-time and a key figure in OCSC’s late game heroics. Additionally, at 17-years-old Kobi Henry became one of the first rostered USL Championship players to be called up to the senior U.S. Men’s National Team by head coach Gregg Berhalter for its December training camp and friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meanwhile, midfielder Eric Calvillo featured in two friendlies for the senior El Salvador Men’s National team against Ecuador and Chile. It was Calvillo’s second call up to Hugo Perez’s set-up.
Although some players may move on while others will return, it was through all their contributions no matter how big or small that brought Orange County its first championship. #ForCounty
Following OCSC’s USL Championship victory, forward Thomas Enevoldsen announced his retirement from professional soccer that included a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Denmark. He finished as the club’s third highest scorer all-time and a key figure in OCSC’s late game heroics. Additionally, at 17-years-old Kobi Henry became one of the first rostered USL Championship players to be called up to the senior U.S. Men’s National Team by head coach Gregg Berhalter for its December training camp and friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meanwhile, midfielder Eric Calvillo featured in two friendlies for the senior El Salvador Men’s National team against Ecuador and Chile. It was Calvillo’s second call up to Hugo Perez’s set-up.
Although some players may move on while others will return, it was through all their contributions no matter how big or small that brought Orange County its first championship. #ForCounty