Kickoff: Saturday, March 12 (5:00 PM PST)
Where: Weidner Field (Colorado Springs, CO)
Where to Watch: ESPN+ | Official Watch Party – Left Coast Brewery (Irvine)
Match Theme: Season Opener
The defending 2021 USL Championship title winners Orange County SC kick off the 2022 regular season against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field located 6,035ft above sea level on Saturday, March 12 at 5:00 PM PST. Last season, OCSC went 2-0-0 against the Switchbacks which included an entertaining Western Conference Quarterfinal victory.
OUR OPPONENT
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC enters the new season returning last season’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner. Head coach Brendan Burke returns for his second season.
2021 Regular Season Record: 13-9-10
Goals Scored: 60 | Goals Conceded: 50 | Clean Sheets: 5
Players to Watch
FW Hadji Barry | 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot Winner (25 Goals)
GK Jeff Caldwell | Former Hartford Athletic keeper joined COS in offseason
THE HISTORY
Orange County SC faced Colorado Springs once in the 2021 regular season and again in the opening round of the club’s historic playoff run.
All-time record
OCSC leads COS with 7-4-1 record
Last Meeting – 2021 USL Championship Western Conference Quarterfinal
OCSC beat COS, 1-0, at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine
Forward Ronald Damus scored despite OCSC being down to 10 men for more than 60 minutes
Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky earned the clean sheet
A LOOKBACK
Head coach Richard Chaplow took over the reins of OCSC midseason and led the club to its first ever Western Conference title and USL Championship title.
- 2021 Regular Season: 15-10-7 (8-3-2 under Chaplow)
- Goals Scored: 44 | Goals Conceded: 37 | Clean Sheets: 12
- Leading Scorer: Ronaldo Damus (14)
- 2021 Playoff Record: Champions.
- Goals Scored: 5 | Penalty Shots Converted: 100% | Clean Sheets: 2
- Leading Scorer: Ronaldo Damus (4)
OCSC RELOADING
Following up a championship is never easy, but Orange County SC has reloaded its 2022 rosters with a balance of experienced and young players ready to contribute to the team.
- Welcome to the County
- FW Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres – Former Chivas de Guadalajara and Chivas USA goalscorer
- MF Daniel Pedersen – Danish international and former SK Brann captain
- 1st Assistant Coach Robert Earnshaw – Former Welsh international and scorer of many hat-tricks
- Running it Back
- DF Michael Orozco – OCSC’s captain returns for fourth season
- GK Patrick Rakovsky – The German shot stopper ready for his second season
- FW Ronaldo Damus – 2021 USL Championship Final MVP
- Young Core
- DF Kobi Henry – 17-year-old current USMNT U-20 who trained with senior USMNT
- FW Korede Osundina – 18-year-old signed from Barcelona USA Academy
- DF Alex Villanueva – 19-year-old addition from Seattle Sounders
HOME OPENER
The long-awaited home opener for OCSC will take place on Saturday, March 19 at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine at 7:00PM PDT.
- Beer Fest
- The home opener means it is time for the first Beer Fest of the season! Lock in your spot for beer garden access which opens up to three hours before kickoff. Visit orangecountysoccer.com/beerfest for more information.
- 2021 Championship Banner
- Prior to kickoff, OCSC will be unveiling their 2021 USL Championship title banner. Come early and be part of this historic moment in our county’s history! Single match tickets are available at orangecountysoccer.com/tickets
- Rangers x OCSC Camps 2022
- Rangers FC and OCSC boys and girls camps are back starting in April with new specialized training add-ons. The 3-day session from April 13-15 will be the first of four camps in 2022. More information can be found at orangecountysoccer.com/camps