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Orange County Soccer Club vs. Sacramento Republic FC
2017 USL Regular Season (Week Twenty-Nine)
Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA
Wednesday, October 4 – 7:30pm PST

Irvine, Calif. (October 4, 2017) Orange County Soccer Club found themselves in a must win scenario Wednesday night at the Orange County Great Park against Sacramento Republic FC. In order to remain in playoff contention Orange County SC had to get all three points against the Republic FC who were also looking to secure their place in the 2017 USL Postseason. In a game rife with chances Orange County SC managed to pull away from the visitors and secure the victory with two late goals.

Orange County SC got off to a fast start pushing early offensively and dominating the initial run of play. Midfielder Zach Kobayashi looked bright in the opening minutes and his efforts were rewarded following a good bit of skill. Kobayashi dribbled down the left flank leaving three defenders in his wake as he danced into the box. His shot bounced straight down off the crossbar but didn’t cross over the line; however, Rodrigo Pacheco was quickest to react and buried the rebound from close range. Pacheco scoring his first goal on the season. Orange County SC continued to push the envelope offensively but could not break through the rest of the half. In the closing minutes of the half, Orange County SC relaxed too soon prior to the break and off a welcome worked set-piece in the 43rd minute the Republic FC levelled the scoring. Sammy Ochoa’s first-time finish beat the outstretched arm of Charlie Lyon to the far post.

In the second half Sacramento Republic seemed content to keep possession and try to slow down the tempo of the match. A tie would have been good enough to see the Republic through to the postseason. Coach Logan Pause turned to the bench in order to find a spark and change the course of the match. The two substitutes, Dusan Stevanovic and Irvin Parra, both made huge impacts when they entered the pitch. Stevanovic’s inch perfect left footed volley in the 80th minute proved to be the game winner and Parra provided the assist on Jerry Van Ewijk’s goal to seal the three points in stoppage time. Van Ewijk tallied his team leading eighth goal of the season.

Orange County SC keep their chances to making the playoff alive through to the weekend. The next match is Saturday, October 7th at 7PM against Reno 1868 FC. The final home match of the regular season will be Fan Appreciation Night presented by Hoag.  The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC rally towel courtesy of Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference Semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club or to purchase tickets, visit: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer. 

Contact: Kelly Salmieri:  Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships and Public Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856

Orange County Soccer Club vs. Sacramento Republic FC

2017 USL Regular Season (Week 29)

Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium Irvine, CA

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 – 7:30 PST

Irvine, Calif. (October 4, 2017) – Orange County Soccer Club look to exact revenge on Wednesday night when they take on Sacramento Republic FC at Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium.  The second meeting between the teams this season, Wednesday’s match promises an electrifying playoff-like atmosphere as Orange County SC are in pursuit of a spot in the USL playoffs.

The fixture comes on the heels of a 2-1 loss against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, September 30th.  Despite another phenomenal performance by Orange County SC goalkeeper Charlie Lyon and Irvin Parra’s 8th goal of the season, a resilient Orange County SC could not find a leveler.  Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC broke out early, with Kim Tae-Seong capitalizing on a corner kick in the 22nd minute of the match, scoring his first career goal.  Six minutes later, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward Kevaughn Frater, reacting off a long ball from Luke Vercollone and broke free to fire past Charlie Lyon, and score the second goal of the night.  Orange County SC proved they weren’t giving up without a fight.  On the 55th minute, Orange County SC’s Rodrigo Pacheco sent in a deep cross from the right-hand side for Irvin Parra to nod in at the far post. Orange County SC thought they had tied the game when Jerry Van Ewijk found Victor Pineda unmarked in the box however Pineda saw his close-range header rattle off the crossbar and cleared away.

Wednesday’s fixture against Sacramento Republic FC will prove an intense one as Orange County SC seeks a rematch from the April 1st 4-0 loss against Sacramento.  The last time these two teams met, Orange County SC created a host of opportunities in the first half, but couldn’t cash in.  During the match, Orange County SC’s Duke Lacroix broke through the backline and found himself in space and one-on-one with the keeper, he fired a shot hard and low but goalkeeper Evan Newton was unfortunately equal to the task and made the quick save.  Sacramento Republic FC would come back in the 21st minute when Sammy Ochoa pounced on a rebound.  Ochoa would go on to score the second of the night when he tapped in a deflected shot from Wilson Kneeshaw from 2 years out.  Eight minutes later, Kneeshaw fired a goal in from 10 yards out for the third goal of the night.  The final goal of the night came in added time, when substitute Harry Williams latched onto a long ball in behind the Orange County SC defense to round Lyon and finish into an empty net. 

Orange County will look to bounce back on Wednesday night and take the playoff race into the final week, as they look to make it 3 consecutive appearances in the end of year post season showpiece. And can take inspiration from their last victory over the Republic in the 2016 Western Conference Quarter Final.

 

Orange County SC will celebrate their final regular season home match and first Fan Appreciation Night presented by Hoag on Saturday, October 7th at 7:00 PM at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium.  The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC rally towel courtesy of Hoag. 

About Orange County Soccer Club:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

Contact: Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856

 

USL News Release, Wednesday, October 4, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – For a second consecutive year, the USL Cup will be televised nationally on ESPNU on Monday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. ET. The game will also be available through the ESPN app, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and streaming devices to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated provider, as well as globally via ESPN International and the network’s international partnerships.

“Following last season’s USL Cup debut on ESPNU, and the expanded relationship between the league and ESPN throughout the current season, we are thrilled to bring the culmination of the biggest season in USL history to the national airwaves,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “Last year’s broadcast was a landmark moment in the growth of the league, and with the competition at an even higher level going into this year’s USL Cup Playoffs, we are excited for fans across the country to tune in to see our next champion crowned.”

Returning to the USL Cup broadcast for a second year in the booth are Mike Watts (play-by-play) and Kate Markgraf (analyst), with top soccer sideline reporter Julie Stewart-Binks working her first USL Cup. Watts and Markgraf are a familiar pair to USL fans, having also teamed up for the USL’s nationally-televised regular season games this year on ESPNU, while Stewart-Binks’ outstanding work on ESPN’s broadcasts of Major League Soccer and U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team broadcasts this year has continued to earn her praise throughout North American soccer circles.

The broadcast will again be produced by USL Productions, the standalone division of the league that has been the exclusive and premier producer/provider of all USL content across linear and digital platforms throughout the 2017 season. USL Productions is run in association with VISTA Worldlink, a full-service media bridge connecting world-class customer service to the sports (leagues, conferences, teams and networks), entertainment and news industries worldwide.

The 2017 USL Cup Playoffs will kick off on the weekend of Oct. 20-22 with the Eastern and Western Conference Quarterfinals, which begins four weekends of postseason action that will conclude at the 2017 USL Cup.

FOLLOW THE USL

Every game of the 2017 USL regular season and the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs can be seen live, free and in HD through the league’s official Match Center, with updates from across the league also available via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About USL
The USL is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, with 30 markets in 20 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces for the 2017 season. In total, the USL reaches a population of 75 million people, fueling the growth of professional soccer across North America.

In 2016, more than $100 million were invested league-wide into stadium infrastructure to create venues that deliver an unforgettable fan and competitor experience. The USL has national media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and recently invested $10 million to create USL Productions – which includes a state-of-the-art facility that will produce and distribute nearly 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates, USL’s Match Center and international markets.

A growing league, the USL has more than doubled in size since 2014, with Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies debuting in 2017. Nashville SC, Fresno FC and Las Vegas Lights FC are set to join the league for 2018, with Birmingham, Alabama and Austin, Texas set to join the league in 2019. Beyond league play, the USL regularly features international exhibitions against leading Premier League, Liga MX, and Bundesliga clubs, among others.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications and sponsorship. Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com, the USL Match Center, and on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

USL Public Relations – Nicholas Murray / Aaron Cranford – Tampa, FL – 813.963.3909

 

Irvine, Calif. (September 30, 2017) – With hopes of advancing closer to a coveted USL playoff spot, fans at Weidner Field would witness a fierce battle between the keepers as Orange County Soccer Club took on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Saturday.  Both Orange County SC’s Charlie Lyon and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Dan Jackson would have their skill tested by missiles being fired at them throughout the night, but it would be the Switchbacks FC who would come away with the three points and the 2-1 victory. 

Though Orange County SC’s Jerry van Ewijk proved a menace to the opponent early on, it was Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Taeseong Kim who capitalized first on a corner kick from Masta Kacher in the 22nd minute, scoring his first career goal as he headed the ball into the net.  Just six minutes later, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward Kevaughn Frater would charge forward to score Switchbacks FC second goal of the night.  Reacting to a clearance, Frater took one off his head and though Orange County SC keeper Charlie Lyon got a hand on the shot, he couldn’t keep it out of the net.  At the 45th minute, Orange County SC’s Victor Pineda was brought down in the box awarding Orange County SC the penalty kick.  Jerry van Ewijk would step up to take the shot for Orange County SC, but came up short as the ball sailed over the crossbar.  The teams would head to the locker rooms with Switchbacks FC up 2-0 at the half. 

A resilient Orange County SC came into the second half with something to prove.  In the 55th minute, Orange County SC’s Rodrigo Pacheco sent a strong right cross to Irvin Parra who headed the ball at close range into the back of the net cutting Switchbacks FC lead in half.  Defender Walker Hume showed a command presence on the pitch as he leveled a header in the 68th minute but came up just shy of the goal.  Orange County SC’s Charlie Lyon was tried once again, making two remarkable back-to-back saves.  His efforts were quickly followed by Orange County SC’s Victor Pineda two minutes later as Pineda hit the crossbar after taking a close-range header.

Orange County SC head back to California to play two at home at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium.  The first match against Sacramento Republic FC will take place on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 PM.  The final regular season home match for Orange County SC, Fan Appreciation Night presented by Hoag, will take place on Saturday, October 7th at 7:00 PM.  The first 2,00 fans in attendance will receive a free Orange County SC rally towel courtesy of Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. 

About Orange County Soccer Club:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semifinals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.

Irvine, Calif. (September 30, 2017) – With hopes of advancing closer to a coveted USL playoff spot, fans at Weidner Field would witness a fierce battle between the keepers as Orange County Soccer Club took on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Saturday.  Both Orange County SC’s Charlie Lyon and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Dan Jackson would have their skill tested by missiles being fired at them throughout the night, but it would be the Switchbacks FC who would come away with the three points and the 2-1 victory. 

Though Orange County SC’s Jerry van Ewijk proved a menace to the opponent early on, it was Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Taeseong Kim who capitalized first on a corner kick from Masta Kacher in the 22nd minute, scoring his first career goal as he headed the ball into the net.  Just six minutes later, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward Kevaughn Frater would charge forward to score Switchbacks FC second goal of the night.  Reacting to a clearance, Frater took one off his head and though Orange County SC keeper Charlie Lyon got a hand on the shot, he couldn’t keep it out of the net.  At the 45th minute, Orange County SC’s Victor Pineda was brought down in the box awarding Orange County SC the penalty kick.  Jerry van Ewijk would step up to take the shot for Orange County SC, but came up short as the ball sailed over the crossbar.  The teams would head to the locker rooms with Switchbacks FC up 2-0 at the half. 

A resilient Orange County SC came into the second half with something to prove.  In the 55th minute, Orange County SC’s Rodrigo Pacheco sent a strong right cross to Irvin Parra who headed the ball at close range into the back of the net cutting Switchbacks FC lead in half.  Defender Walker Hume showed a command presence on the pitch as he leveled a header in the 68th minute but came up just shy of the goal.  Orange County SC’s Charlie Lyon was tried once again, making two remarkable back-to-back saves.  His efforts were quickly followed by Orange County SC’s Victor Pineda two minutes later as Pineda hit the crossbar after taking a close-range header.

Orange County SC head back to California to play two at home at the Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium.  The first match against Sacramento Republic FC will take place on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 PM.  The final regular season home match for Orange County SC, Fan Appreciation Night presented by Hoag, will take place on Saturday, October 7th at 7:00 PM.  The first 2,00 fans in attendance will receive a free Orange County SC rally towel courtesy of Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. 

About Orange County Soccer Club:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semifinals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.

Orange County SC conclude their third road match in fourteen days with a trip to Colorado Springs where they take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, September 30th.  The trip comes after a hard fought 0-0 draw on the road at league leaders, Real Monarchs SLC on the 22nd.  

A phenomenal performance by Orange County SC’s goalkeeper Charlie Lyon, kept the team’s playoffs hopes alive.  Recording eight saves in one match, Lyon was tested within the first ten minutes when he denied Monarchs’ Sebastian Velasquez in quick succession, first with a spectacular save low down to his right then next a finger-tip save in the top corner. With just five minutes to go, Carlos Alvarez almost brought home the victory for Orange County SC off of a pass from Frank Olijve as he curled a shot toward the goal but it was deflected at the last second by defender Max Lachowecki sending it over the bar.  

As Orange County SC heads to Colorado Springs, they will look to get off to a fast start applying pressure to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC early in the match.  The last time these two teams met, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC came out on top, 4-0 thanks to stunning long-distance strikes by Shane Malcolm and Luke Vercollone.  The most prominent shot of the night came off the head of Wuilito Fernandes who headed powerfully at the far post but was denied by Moise Pouaty in the Switchbacks FC goal.  Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are on a three-game skid and have only two games remaining in their regular season.  Orange County SC will need to be clinical in the final third of the match as chances will be few and far between as the game will have the feeling of a playoff atmosphere and both teams will be fighting for their spot in the standings.

Orange County SC head back home to Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium on October 4th vs. Sacramento Republic FC.  The team will host its first Fan Appreciation day on Saturday October 7th vs. Reno 1868 FC where the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC Rally Towel!

About Orange County Soccer Club:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

Contact: Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856

IRVINE, Calif. (September 20, 2017) – With renewed vigor and hopes of moving into eighth place, and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings, Orange County Soccer Club head to Sandy, Utah on Friday to take on first place Real Monarchs SLC. 

Striking performances by Zach Kobayashi, Jerry Van Ewijk and Irvin Parra confirmed Orange County SC have what it takes to press their opponent and come out on top. In his first regular season appearance for Orange County SC, goalkeeper Casey Beyers kept Vancouver at bay throughout the first half. But it was Orange County’s Zach Kobayashi who, capitalizing on a pass from Irvin Parra that took him into the left side of the penalty box, scored the first goal of the night in the 40th minute. In the 55th minute of the match, coming off of a low cross by teammate Terran Campbell, Vancouver’s Marco Bustos scored his eighth goal of the season. Vancouver was close to scoring a second goal of the night in the 62nd minute but was greatly denied the opportunity by Orange County SC defender Joe Franco who headed off the attempt at the far-left post. Irvin Parra played front man once again in the 83rd minute, setting up Jerry Van Ewijk who, from 16 yards out, catapulted the ball into the top of the net for Orange County’s game winning goal. 

Orange County SC look to keep the rhythm going as they meet Real Monarchs SLC on Friday for the third matchup this year. The first showdown took place in preseason with Orange County SC scoring three goals and winning the match. In their first regular season matchup, Orange County came close to taking a point against the league leaders but in the end, fell 1-0. The goal came within the first minute of play as Chandler Hoffman scored on a cross by Charlie Adams. Orange County SC responded with two shots on goal in the first fifteen minutes of play by Wuilito Fernandes and continued its aggressive push notching five shots in the final ten minutes of the match. The biggest chance of the night came from the penalty spot but Orange County were unable to convert and share the points. A win this weekend for Orange County could see them return to the Western Conference playoff spots. 

Orange County SC will conclude their third road match in fourteen days when they travel to Colorado Springs to take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Saturday September 30th. 

About Orange County Soccer Club 

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team. The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season. The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County. Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

Contact: Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856

Cincinnati’s Walker Named USL Player of the Week 

FCC midfielder recorded goal, two assists in 4-2 victory against Red Bulls II 

TAMPA, Fla. – FC Cincinnati midfielder Kenney Walker has been voted the USL Player of the Week for Week 26 of the 2017 season. Walker recorded his first goal of the regular season and notched two assists, as Cincinnati earned a 4-2 victory on Saturday night in front of a USL-record crowd of 30,417 fans at Nippert Stadium that boosted FCC into sixth place in the USL Eastern Conference with four games to go in the regular season. 

Walker received 53 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Swope Park Rangers forward Nansel Selbol finished second with 24 percent of the vote. 

USL Team of the Week 

GK – Brandon Miller, Harrisburg City Islanders: Miller notched five saves across a pair of outings, as the City Islanders drew with FC Cincinnati and earned victory against Toronto FC II. 

D – Ben Newnam, San Antonio FC: Newnam notched his first goal for San Antonio, as the side clinched a place in the USL Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win against Orange County SC. 

D – Justin Bilyeu, Rio Grande Valley FC: Bilyeu helped the Toros shut out the USL’s leading scorers and also converted from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory against Reno 1868 FC on Saturday night. 

D – Ryan Howe, Saint Louis FC: Howe scored the opening goal in Saint Louis’ 2-0 victory against Orlando City B and also recorded five tackles and three interceptions in a key win to STLFC’s playoff hopes. 

M – Villyan Bijev, Sacramento Republic FC: Bijev’s second goal in as many games earned Sacramento Republic FC a 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II to further bolster the club’s playoff aspirations. 

M – Kenney Walker, FC Cincinnati: Walker had a goal and two assists, as well as created three scoring chances, recorded six tackles and four interceptions, in FCC’s 4-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. 

M – Jose Barril, OKC Energy FC: Barril scored a spectacular individual goal and put in a strong performance in midfield, winning 10 of 12 duels while recording five tackles and three interceptions in a 2-0 win against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

M – Florian Valot, New York Red Bulls II: Valot was outstanding in defeat against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, scoring both goals for the Red Bulls II while also completing 32 of 40 passes and recording four interceptions. 

F – Irvin Parra, Orange County SC: Parra recorded assists on both goals, as Orange County earned a crucial 2-1 victory on Sunday evening against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in its push for the playoffs. 

F – Ropapa Mensah, Harrisburg City Islanders: Mensah notched two goals and one assist, as Harrisburg earned four points against FC Cincinnati and Toronto FC II over the week. 

F – Nansel Selbol, Swope Park Rangers: Selbol scored twice, including once from the penalty spot, as the Rangers notched a season-high five goals in their victory against San Antonio FC on Sunday evening. 

Bench: Calle Brown (RGV), Joe Farrell (ROC), Sam Hamilton (PHX), Luis Espino (SAC), Corben Bone (CIN), Kharlton Belmar (SPR), Heviel Cordoves (CHS) 

FOLLOW THE USL 

Every game of the 2017 USL season can be seen live, free and in HD through the league’s official Match Center (www.uslsoccer.com/match-center), with updates from across the league also available via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

About USL The USL is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, with 30 markets in 20 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces for the 2017 season. In total, the USL reaches a population of 75 million people, fueling the growth of professional soccer across North America. 

In 2016, more than $100 million were invested league-wide into stadium infrastructure to create venues that deliver an unforgettable fan and competitor experience. The USL has national media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and recently invested $10 million to create USL Productions – which includes a state-of-the-art facility that will produce and distribute nearly 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates, USL’s Match Center and international markets. 

A growing league, the USL has more than doubled in size since 2014, with Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies debuting in 2017. Nashville SC, Fresno FC and Las Vegas are set to join the league for 2018, with Birmingham, Alabama and Austin, Texas set to join the league in 2019. Beyond league play, the USL regularly features international exhibitions against leading Premier League, Liga MX, and Bundesliga clubs, among others. 

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications and sponsorship. Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com, the USL Match Center, and on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

USL Public Relations – Nicholas Murray / Aaron Cranford – Tampa, FL – 813.963.3909

“We are incredibly excited to announce the arrival of Rodrigo Pacheco to LAFC. Rodrigo is a striker of great potential, and we look forward to closely monitoring his development with OCSC” said LAFC, General Manager and EVP of Soccer Operations, John Thorrington.

The 21-year-old forward, joined LAFC earlier this month from Club Atletico Lanus in the Argentine Primera Division. He will now join up with the rest of the Orange County squad for the remainder of the 2017 season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rodrigo to Orange County SC and expect him to play an important role in our push for a playoff spot” said General Manager and EVP of Soccer Operations, Oliver Wyss.

Pacheco is clear to make his debut in Orange County’s crucial playoff matchup against Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday night.

About Orange County Soccer Club:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

Contact:

Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856

About The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC):

The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is the newest MLS soccer club serving the greater Los Angeles area. Set to kick-off in 2018, LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing and developing the 22,000 seat Banc of California Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal-State Los Angeles. For more information about LAFC, visit LAFC.com and LAFC.com/presskit. 

Contact:
Seth Burton: LAFC, seth.burton@lafc.com, 310-936-6080.
Blair Bartlett: M Strategic Communications, bb@m-consultants.net, 619-708-8983.
Shannon Murphy Castellani: M Strategic Communications, sm@m-consultants.net, 310-849-4687.

 

Irvine, Calif. (September 3, 2017) It was a five minute span in the first half that effectively put the game out of reach for Orange County SC against Reno 1868 FC. Although there was still a lot of time left in the game, playing the remaining 75 minutes down two goals is no easy task. Especially against a team with the quality and form Reno 1868 is currently playing with.

 

Orange County SC started the game off brightly and created some promising chances early. However, they were either just short on connecting the final pass or could not direct their effort on target. The opening ten minutes was an optimistic glimpse of what could have been for the remainder of the game, but then Reno 1868 stuck swiftly and effectively twice to stifle the mounting OCSC momentum. The first goal came in the 13’ minute off a corner kick which Orange County SC failed to clear from their 18 yard box. Jimmy Ockford pounced on the loose ball and directed his shot on frame. Charlie Lyon got one hand on the shot but could not prevent it from trickling over the goal line. The second goal came less than three minutes later. Reno broke quickly on the counter attack and Chris Wehan made his run down the center of the pitch behind the OCSC backline. The low cross was played right into his path and all the midfielder had to do was redirect the effort toward the goal.

 

In less than five minutes Orange County SC saw themselves fall two goals behind their opponent, but they continued to fight and create chances for themselves. Had the home side been able to capitalize on some of the early opportunities, the game may have played out differently. Carlos Alvarez and new signing Irvin Parra looked the most likely to score from the OCSC attack. In the 25th minute Alvarez displayed some tidy juggling in the box but blasted his shot from close range over the bar. One minute later Parra saw his volley rattle the crossbar.

 

Things would become far more challenging for Orange County SC as they would have to play the remainder of the game with ten men. In the 56th minute defender Sola Abolaji tripped Antoine Hoppenot who was clear through on a breakaway leaving the referee no choice but to give him a red card and send him off the pitch. Containing Reno’s offense was initially a difficult task, but being down a man and having to push for multiple goals would be even more difficult. All match long Reno looked especially dangerous on the counter finding gaps between the OCSC midfielders and defensive line. In the 67’ minute Wehan added to the Reno 1868 lead getting his second goal on the night.

 

Orange County SC would get a goal back in stoppage time. The goal scored by Monday Etim was bittersweet in that it was the USL’s 1000th goal, but came merely as a consolation in the 3-1 defeat. The ten manned OCSC continued to display their never-quit attitude and through their efforts finally found the back of the net. Orange County SC’s next match is away against Phoenix Rising FC. Phoenix are unbeaten in their last five matches and have recently propelled themselves to a playoff spot.

 

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB:

The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team.  The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season.  The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference Semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons.  The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County.  Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County. 

For more information about Orange County Soccer Club or to purchase tickets, visit: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer. 

Contact: Kelly Salmieri:  VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/orangecountysoccer, 805.844.0856