Orange County SC used their fifth consecutive victory, 1-0, over LA Galaxy II to clinch second place in the Pacific Division on Saturday, October 30 at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium giving OCSC the right to host a first round USL Championship Playoff match. LA2 will miss the playoffs.
With playoff berths and seeding on the line, the two rivals had different approaches to the way they started the match. OCSC held onto the ball and built up a good string of passes before making their attack on goal. LA2, knowing this was a must-win match, pressured the OC defense into precarious positions in front of goal.
OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky was called into action several times during the opening 45’ having to push out LA2’s shots. Rakovsky made three saves off each LA2’s shots on goal. OCSC as a team made eight clearances before the halftime whistle sounded.
The second half offered as much tension and drama as each side worked towards their desired result. OCSC continued to string along spells of possession and made their move on goal. Forwards Ronaldo Damus, Brian Iloski and Ugo Okoli flirted with a goal, but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
The OCSC defense managed to successfully deny more LA2 chances on goal. OCSC was also helped by the crossbar and a disallowed goal. Though, it was Rakovsky who made the save of the night minutes before full-time. A shot rifled from the top of the box by LA2 looked destined for goal until Rakovsky lunged to his left and directed the ball out of play to keep the match scoreless.
In the five minutes of stoppage time, OCSC sat back and defended their goal looking to preserve the draw which was enough to remain in second place in the Pacific Division. Instead, LA2 needed to score to keep their season alive and clinch their playoff spot.
LA2 sent everyone forward on a free kick in their attacking half, but it was blocked and OCSC sprung on a counterattack. Damus controlled a bouncing ball fighting off a defender along the way and found his fellow forward Thomas Enevoldsen one-on-two with a defender and goalkeeper in front of the goal. Enevoldsen received the pass and slotted the ball into the net for the game’s only and winning goal.
With the result, OCSC hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC—the Mountain Division’s third-place team—on Saturday, November 6 at 7 pm at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine.
Playoff tickets can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer/playoffs.
Orange County SC used their fifth consecutive victory, 1-0, over LA Galaxy II to clinch second place in the Pacific Division on Saturday, October 30 at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium giving OCSC the right to host a first round USL Championship Playoff match. LA2 will miss the playoffs.
With playoff berths and seeding on the line, the two rivals had different approaches to the way they started the match. OCSC held onto the ball and built up a good string of passes before making their attack on goal. LA2, knowing this was a must-win match, pressured the OC defense into precarious positions in front of goal.
OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky was called into action several times during the opening 45’ having to push out LA2’s shots. Rakovsky made three saves off each LA2’s shots on goal. OCSC as a team made eight clearances before the halftime whistle sounded.
The second half offered as much tension and drama as each side worked towards their desired result. OCSC continued to string along spells of possession and made their move on goal. Forwards Ronaldo Damus, Brian Iloski and Ugo Okoli flirted with a goal, but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
The OCSC defense managed to successfully deny more LA2 chances on goal. OCSC was also helped by the crossbar and a disallowed goal. Though, it was Rakovsky who made the save of the night minutes before full-time. A shot rifled from the top of the box by LA2 looked destined for goal until Rakovsky lunged to his left and directed the ball out of play to keep the match scoreless.
In the five minutes of stoppage time, OCSC sat back and defended their goal looking to preserve the draw which was enough to remain in second place in the Pacific Division. Instead, LA2 needed to score to keep their season alive and clinch their playoff spot.
LA2 sent everyone forward on a free kick in their attacking half, but it was blocked and OCSC sprung on a counterattack. Damus controlled a bouncing ball fighting off a defender along the way and found his fellow forward Thomas Enevoldsen one-on-two with a defender and goalkeeper in front of the goal. Enevoldsen received the pass and slotted the ball into the net for the game’s only and winning goal.
With the result, OCSC hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC—the Mountain Division’s third-place team—on Saturday, November 6 at 7 pm at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine.
Playoff tickets can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer/playoffs.
Orange County SC vs LA Galaxy II
USL Championship | October 30, 2021
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium (Carson, CA)
Kickoff: 7:30 PM PDT
Weather: Spooky.
SCORING SUMMARY:
OCSC: Thomas Enevoldsen 90+4’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
30’ Robbie Kiernan
77’ Seth Casiple
90’ Ronaldo Damus
LA GALAXY II
74’ Preston Judd
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Patrick Rakovsky (GK), Kevin Alston, Dillon Powers, Robbie Kiernan, Michael Orozco (
C ), Brian Iloski, Ronaldo Damus, Eric Calvillo, Ugo Okoli (67’ Thomas Enevoldsen), Kobi Henry (60’ Brent Richards), Mikko Kuningas (45’ Seth Casiple) (85’ Thomas McCabe)
Unused subs: Abraham Romero (GK), Darwin Jones, Nate Smith
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow (Interim)
Possession: 44.6% | Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 14 | Offsides: 3 |
LA GALAXY II LINEUP:
Justin vom Steeg (GK), Cameron Dunbar (72’ Remi Cabral), Carlos Harvey, Preston Judd, Taylor Davila, Jesus Vazquez ( C ), Jorge Hernandez, Daniel Aguirre (72’ Adrian Gonzalez), Jalen Neal, Jonathan Perez, Marcus Ferkranus (87’ Juan Calderon)
Unused subs: Eric Lopez (GK), Axel Essengue, Gerson Chavez, Victor Valdez
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
Possession: 55.4% | Shots: 20 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corners: 9 | Fouls: 8 | Offsides: 0 |
Orange County SC vs LA Galaxy II
USL Championship | October 30, 2021
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium (Carson, CA)
Kickoff: 7:30 PM PDT
Weather: Spooky.
SCORING SUMMARY:
OCSC: Thomas Enevoldsen 90+4’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
30’ Robbie Kiernan
77’ Seth Casiple
90’ Ronaldo Damus
LA GALAXY II
74’ Preston Judd
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Patrick Rakovsky (GK), Kevin Alston, Dillon Powers, Robbie Kiernan, Michael Orozco (
C ), Brian Iloski, Ronaldo Damus, Eric Calvillo, Ugo Okoli (67’ Thomas Enevoldsen), Kobi Henry (60’ Brent Richards), Mikko Kuningas (45’ Seth Casiple) (85’ Thomas McCabe)
Unused subs: Abraham Romero (GK), Darwin Jones, Nate Smith
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow (Interim)
Possession: 44.6% | Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 14 | Offsides: 3 |
LA GALAXY II LINEUP:
Justin vom Steeg (GK), Cameron Dunbar (72’ Remi Cabral), Carlos Harvey, Preston Judd, Taylor Davila, Jesus Vazquez ( C ), Jorge Hernandez, Daniel Aguirre (72’ Adrian Gonzalez), Jalen Neal, Jonathan Perez, Marcus Ferkranus (87’ Juan Calderon)
Unused subs: Eric Lopez (GK), Axel Essengue, Gerson Chavez, Victor Valdez
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
Possession: 55.4% | Shots: 20 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corners: 9 | Fouls: 8 | Offsides: 0 |