IRVINE, Calif. (September 24, 2018) – After officially clinching a USL Cup playoff spot last week, Orange County SC will look to clinch home field advantage for the first round of the post-season and increase its lead atop the USL Western Conference table in “Sin City” vs. Las Vegas Lights FC this Wednesday evening. In a season of historic milestones, a win would not only add to the club’s franchise record-breaking wins and points totals but also lockup the first professional soccer home playoff game for the County of Orange.
“This week’s game against Las Vegas Lights FC could very well be our most difficult challenge of the past month,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “Not only are we facing a quality team and tough competition, but we’re also aware of the reality of having a team full of young men traveling to Las Vegas. With our position in the USL standings, we’re paying attention to every detail.”
Last Wednesday, Orange County SC punched its ticket to the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs and earned a big 5-2 win over Real Monarchs SLC. Midfielder Aodhan Quinn scored a brace, with midfielder Christian Duke, midfielder/defender Noah Powder and forward Thomas Enevoldsen adding a goal apiece. Powder’s goal, chipped over SLC’s goalkeeper from nearly mid-pitch, is up for USL Goal of the Week honors.
Over the weekend, Lights FC played to a dramatic 3-3 draw against rival Reno 1868 FC. The match witnessed three total goals scored in the final ten minutes of regulation, with Las Vegas’ goals coming from winger Raul Mendiola (2) and Daniel Guzman Jr.
The first regular season meeting between Orange County and Las Vegas this year was a wild Wednesday match in August. Lights FC took an early lead, before Enevoldsen and fellow forward Michael Seaton scored to put Orange County up 2-1 by half-time. Shortly after the break, goalkeeper Andre Rawls was shown a red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area. But, despite playing down a man, Orange County SC added a third goal via Seaton and held on for a 3-1 win.
Kickoff is set for Wednesday at 8pm, at Cashman Field. Orange County next returns home for its 2018 regular season home finale on Saturday, October 6th; tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer/tickets. Playoff ticket information will be announced soon.
Stat Highlights
- Midfielder/defender Noah Powder has scored a goal in three straight matches, which are also his first goals of the season.
- Forward Thomas Enevoldsen is tied for second place (NC’s Daniel Rios) in the USL’s Golden Boot race at 17 goals.
- Midfielder Aodhan Quinn leads the USL with 2,056 passes. As a team, Orange County SC is third in the league with 14,442.
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ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB
Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.
IRVINE, Calif. (September 24, 2018) – After officially clinching a USL Cup playoff spot last week, Orange County SC will look to clinch home field advantage for the first round of the post-season and increase its lead atop the USL Western Conference table in “Sin City” vs. Las Vegas Lights FC this Wednesday evening. In a season of historic milestones, a win would not only add to the club’s franchise record-breaking wins and points totals but also lockup the first professional soccer home playoff game for the County of Orange.
“This week’s game against Las Vegas Lights FC could very well be our most difficult challenge of the past month,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “Not only are we facing a quality team and tough competition, but we’re also aware of the reality of having a team full of young men traveling to Las Vegas. With our position in the USL standings, we’re paying attention to every detail.”
Last Wednesday, Orange County SC punched its ticket to the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs and earned a big 5-2 win over Real Monarchs SLC. Midfielder Aodhan Quinn scored a brace, with midfielder Christian Duke, midfielder/defender Noah Powder and forward Thomas Enevoldsen adding a goal apiece. Powder’s goal, chipped over SLC’s goalkeeper from nearly mid-pitch, is up for USL Goal of the Week honors.
Over the weekend, Lights FC played to a dramatic 3-3 draw against rival Reno 1868 FC. The match witnessed three total goals scored in the final ten minutes of regulation, with Las Vegas’ goals coming from winger Raul Mendiola (2) and Daniel Guzman Jr.
The first regular season meeting between Orange County and Las Vegas this year was a wild Wednesday match in August. Lights FC took an early lead, before Enevoldsen and fellow forward Michael Seaton scored to put Orange County up 2-1 by half-time. Shortly after the break, goalkeeper Andre Rawls was shown a red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area. But, despite playing down a man, Orange County SC added a third goal via Seaton and held on for a 3-1 win.
Kickoff is set for Wednesday at 8pm, at Cashman Field. Orange County next returns home for its 2018 regular season home finale on Saturday, October 6th; tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer/tickets. Playoff ticket information will be announced soon.
Stat Highlights
- Midfielder/defender Noah Powder has scored a goal in three straight matches, which are also his first goals of the season.
- Forward Thomas Enevoldsen is tied for second place (NC’s Daniel Rios) in the USL’s Golden Boot race at 17 goals.
- Midfielder Aodhan Quinn leads the USL with 2,056 passes. As a team, Orange County SC is third in the league with 14,442.
# # #
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB
Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s only professional soccer team that is part of the United Soccer League (USL), the fastest growing Division II professional soccer league in the world. The USL is comprised of 34 teams across the United States. The team plays its home games at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium, located in Irvine, CA. Nestled in the heart of the Great Park, Championship Soccer Stadium has a capacity of over 5,000 for Orange County SC matches. Orange County SC is also the official affiliate partner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Orange County SC was one of 12 founding members of the USL during its inaugural 2011 season. The preceding club, Orange County Blues, won the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Championship and reached the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Team owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, purchased and re-branded the team in 2017. Keston, who actively oversees all operations of the team, is dedicated to providing a pathway to professional soccer and a world-class soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club, and to experience professional soccer in the OC, visit: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer. For more information about the United Soccer League, visit: http://www.uslsoccer.com.
