After 120’ of scoreless soccer, Orange County SC outlasted Oakland Roots, 6-5, in sudden-death penalty kicks in the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday, November 13 at Championship Soccer Stadium. OCSC defeated Oakland for the fifth time this season, sending the club to its second Western Conference Finals since 2017.
OCSC forward Ronaldo Damus scored the deciding goal in front of a record-setting sold-out crowd, but it was preceded by two crucial kicks from the spot. With OC and Oakland making their first five kicks each, Oakland defender Akeem Ward had his kick blocked by OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky giving the advantage to OC.
Damus was OCSC's sixth penalty kicker and saw his attempt blocked by Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, but the shot stopper's celebration was short-lived. It was ruled that Blanchette had come off his line prior to Damus making contact with the ball and a retake was awarded. In his second kick, Damus rifled the shot to the top right and into the back of the net.
“After the first shot, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Damus said. “And on the second one, I knew the goalie was going to be ready, so I just had to concentrate more.”
Orange County came into this highly contested match without two of their main centerbacks. Kobi Henry, international duty, and Robbie Kiernan, suspension, were both unavailable which left head coach Richard Chaplow’s backline thin.
“We had a little bit of adversity, and in the week we had an injury scare with [Michael] Orozco,” Chaplow said. “So, for him to go 120 minutes shows what sort of character and warrior he is. He is our captain and is our leader to have him on the ropes.”
The backline held Oakland scoreless in open play for 120-plus minutes making a total of 22 tackles, 18 clearances, and keeping their opponents to just one shot-on-goal. On the attacking side, OCSC tested the Oakland backline by taking eight shots and three on goal.
Damus thought he netted the potential game-winner in stoppage time of the first extra time period, though his diving header was negated by the offside flag. Despite the chances, a winner was not to be found in the second extra time period and the game went to penalties.
This marks Orange County’s seventh win in a row dating back to the regular season. In that stretch, they have allowed only one goal from open play. They are the last remaining team from the Pacific Division.
OCSC will host the Western Conference Final at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine against San Antonio FC on November 20 at 7 pm. San Antonio knocked off in-state rivals Rio Grande Valley FC, 3-1, to move on to their first conference final in club history. Tickets for the match are found at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/playoffs.
After 120’ of scoreless soccer, Orange County SC outlasted Oakland Roots, 6-5, in sudden-death penalty kicks in the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday, November 13 at Championship Soccer Stadium. OCSC defeated Oakland for the fifth time this season, sending the club to its second Western Conference Finals since 2017.
OCSC forward Ronaldo Damus scored the deciding goal in front of a record-setting sold-out crowd, but it was preceded by two crucial kicks from the spot. With OC and Oakland making their first five kicks each, Oakland defender Akeem Ward had his kick blocked by OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky giving the advantage to OC.
Damus was OCSC’s sixth penalty kicker and saw his attempt blocked by Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, but the shot stopper’s celebration was short-lived. It was ruled that Blanchette had come off his line prior to Damus making contact with the ball and a retake was awarded. In his second kick, Damus rifled the shot to the top right and into the back of the net.
“After the first shot, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Damus said. “And on the second one, I knew the goalie was going to be ready, so I just had to concentrate more.”
Orange County came into this highly contested match without two of their main centerbacks. Kobi Henry, international duty, and Robbie Kiernan, suspension, were both unavailable which left head coach Richard Chaplow’s backline thin.
“We had a little bit of adversity, and in the week we had an injury scare with [Michael] Orozco,” Chaplow said. “So, for him to go 120 minutes shows what sort of character and warrior he is. He is our captain and is our leader to have him on the ropes.”
The backline held Oakland scoreless in open play for 120-plus minutes making a total of 22 tackles, 18 clearances, and keeping their opponents to just one shot-on-goal. On the attacking side, OCSC tested the Oakland backline by taking eight shots and three on goal.
Damus thought he netted the potential game-winner in stoppage time of the first extra time period, though his diving header was negated by the offside flag. Despite the chances, a winner was not to be found in the second extra time period and the game went to penalties.
This marks Orange County’s seventh win in a row dating back to the regular season. In that stretch, they have allowed only one goal from open play. They are the last remaining team from the Pacific Division.
OCSC will host the Western Conference Final at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine against San Antonio FC on November 20 at 7 pm. San Antonio knocked off in-state rivals Rio Grande Valley FC, 3-1, to move on to their first conference final in club history. Tickets for the match are found at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/playoffs.
Orange County SC vs Oakland Roots SC
2021 USL Championship Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires | Western Conference Semifinal
Date: November 13, 2021
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PDT
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
SCORING SUMMARY:
NONE
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Orange County SC – Mikko Kuningas, scored; Dillon Powers, scored; Seth Casiple, scored; Thomas Enevoldsen, scored; Sean Okoli, scored; Ronaldo Damus, scored
Oakland Roots SC – Tarek Morad, scored; Jeremy Bokila, scored; Ariel Mbumba, scored; Joseph Nane, scored; Yohanes Harish, scored; Akeem Ward, saved
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
NONE
OAKLAND ROOTS SC
97’ Akeem Ward
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Patrick Rakovsky (GK), Kevin Alston, Dillon Powers, Michael Orozco (C), Brian Iloski (77’ Ugo Okoli), Ronaldo Damus, Thomas McCabe (76’ Mikko Kuningas), Eric Calvillo (90+2’ Seth Casiple), Brent Richards, Ben Mines (60’ Thomas Enevoldsen), Nate Smith (116’ Darwin Jones)
Unused subs: Abraham Romero (GK), Aidan Apodaca
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow
Possession: 50.8% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 18 | Offsides: 4 |
OAKLAND ROOTS SC LINEUP:
Blanchette (GK), Fissore (98’ Ornstil), Enriquez (57’ Bokila), Nane, Ward, Hernandez (105’ Mbumba), Klimenta (C), Diaz (98’ Sousa) (120+1’ Harish), Amarikwa, Greene, Rodriguez (80’ Morad)
Unused subs: Bailey (GK)
Head Coach: Jordan Ferrell
Possession: 49.2% | Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 1 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 29 | Offsides: 3 |
Orange County SC vs Oakland Roots SC
2021 USL Championship Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires | Western Conference Semifinal
Date: November 13, 2021
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PDT
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
SCORING SUMMARY:
NONE
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Orange County SC – Mikko Kuningas, scored; Dillon Powers, scored; Seth Casiple, scored; Thomas Enevoldsen, scored; Sean Okoli, scored; Ronaldo Damus, scored
Oakland Roots SC – Tarek Morad, scored; Jeremy Bokila, scored; Ariel Mbumba, scored; Joseph Nane, scored; Yohanes Harish, scored; Akeem Ward, saved
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
NONE
OAKLAND ROOTS SC
97’ Akeem Ward
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Patrick Rakovsky (GK), Kevin Alston, Dillon Powers, Michael Orozco (C), Brian Iloski (77’ Ugo Okoli), Ronaldo Damus, Thomas McCabe (76’ Mikko Kuningas), Eric Calvillo (90+2’ Seth Casiple), Brent Richards, Ben Mines (60’ Thomas Enevoldsen), Nate Smith (116’ Darwin Jones)
Unused subs: Abraham Romero (GK), Aidan Apodaca
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow
Possession: 50.8% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 18 | Offsides: 4 |
OAKLAND ROOTS SC LINEUP:
Blanchette (GK), Fissore (98’ Ornstil), Enriquez (57’ Bokila), Nane, Ward, Hernandez (105’ Mbumba), Klimenta (C), Diaz (98’ Sousa) (120+1’ Harish), Amarikwa, Greene, Rodriguez (80’ Morad)
Unused subs: Bailey (GK)
Head Coach: Jordan Ferrell
Possession: 49.2% | Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 1 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 29 | Offsides: 3 |