IRVINE, Calif. (July 25, 2020) – Orange County SC picked up a big three points and moved within striking distance of the playoff places on Saturday night.
With a few lineup changes, including Frederik Due starting between the sticks, OC looked to start on the front against the visitors after the opening match. Phoenix continued their trademark press and looked determined to score first, but the visitors could not break through the Orange County defense.
IRVINE, Calif. (July 25, 2020) – Orange County SC picked up a big three points and moved within striking distance of the playoff places on Saturday night.
With a few lineup changes, including Frederik Due starting between the sticks, OC looked to start on the front against the visitors after the opening match. Phoenix continued their trademark press and looked determined to score first, but the visitors could not break through the Orange County defense.
There was no love lost between the two sides early on, as Santi Moar came in late and high on Ugo Okoli just nine minutes in. Moar received a yellow for his challenge, while Okoli stayed down before receiving treatment.
Jones nearly scored just a few minutes later, knocking the ball around Phoenix keeper Zac Lubin, but the forward lost his footing as the pitch gave out as he turned.
On the other end of the pitch, OC remained strong in defense and prevented chances for the visitors.
In the 20th minute, Okoli opened his scoring account for OCSC, latching onto a through ball from Aodhan Quinn and burying the ball at the near post with his left foot.
Phoenix looked to answer back quickly, but play was mostly back and forth despite a few chances for Okoli to score a brace. Rangers loanee Daniel Finlayson also got involved, putting his left footed effort from distance just over the crossbar.
Phoenix had a clear cut chance seconds later in the 43rd minute. Due was chipped by Junior Flemmings, and Santi Moar rushed to the far post, but the Spaniard volleyed his chance off of the crossbar and Due gathered.
The horror continued for Moar in the 46th minute, as he shoved OC head coach Braeden Cloutier and received his marching orders. The exchange occurred during a stoppage of play, for which the coach received a caution.
The frustration for Phoenix, down a man, only grew as the game progressed. After the restart, the visitors looked like anything but the highest scoring side in the league.
OC pressed the visitors and looked for a second goal to ease some pressure on the backline.
A triple substitution just before the hour mark made it clear that Phoenix were willing to commit numbers forward, with Jack Barmby, Lagos Kunga and Sean Stanton all coming on.
There was no love lost between the two sides early on, as Santi Moar came in late and high on Ugo Okoli just nine minutes in. Moar received a yellow for his challenge, while Okoli stayed down before receiving treatment.
Jones nearly scored just a few minutes later, knocking the ball around Phoenix keeper Zac Lubin, but the forward lost his footing as the pitch gave out as he turned.
On the other end of the pitch, OC remained strong in defense and prevented chances for the visitors.
In the 20th minute, Okoli opened his scoring account for OCSC, latching onto a through ball from Aodhan Quinn and burying the ball at the near post with his left foot.
Phoenix looked to answer back quickly, but play was mostly back and forth despite a few chances for Okoli to score a brace. Rangers loanee Daniel Finlayson also got involved, putting his left footed effort from distance just over the crossbar.
Phoenix had a clear cut chance seconds later in the 43rd minute. Due was chipped by Junior Flemmings, and Santi Moar rushed to the far post, but the Spaniard volleyed his chance off of the crossbar and Due gathered.
The horror continued for Moar in the 46th minute, as he shoved OC head coach Braeden Cloutier and received his marching orders. The exchange occurred during a stoppage of play, for which the coach received a caution.
The frustration for Phoenix, down a man, only grew as the game progressed. After the restart, the visitors looked like anything but the highest scoring side in the league.
OC pressed the visitors and looked for a second goal to ease some pressure on the backline.
A triple substitution just before the hour mark made it clear that Phoenix were willing to commit numbers forward, with Jack Barmby, Lagos Kunga and Sean Stanton all coming on.
OC brought on Kevin Coleman and Harry Forrester just a moment later, replacing Darwin Jones and Danny Crisostomo, respectively.
Seconds later, Okoli, looking to play a one-two with Coleman, earned OC a penalty as Darnell King was penalized for a handball.
Aodhan Quinn stepped up to take the penalty, but OC was denied again by the pitch and the midfielder’s effort went over the bar. It was just the second penalty Quinn had missed as a member of OCSC.
Phoenix had their best run of play following the missed penalty, but the man disadvantage was noticeable in the buildup play. Despite a few set-piece attempts, the visitors still could not find the back of the net. With Phoenix pushing more numbers forward in search of an equalizer, OC looked more and more confident as the match wore on.
Late on Okoli, Coleman and late substitute Chandler Hoffman all missed close chances to score OC’s second goal of the night.
Phoenix also had a few chances and sent up Lubin in an attempt to score an equalizer.
After 95 minutes of play, OC picked up all three points.
After the match, Okoli was pleased with the result. “It’s always nice to get off the mark, or get a goal in any game,” he said. He continued, “We worked hard in training to make sure it happened today.”
Head coach Braeden Cloutier was critical of the condition of the pitch but thrilled with his players’ performances. “There’s no excuses, ever. We were structurally sound. We kept things really organized at the back and gave ourselves chances in the transition.” His only disappointment with the match? “We didn’t score enough goals tonight, but we gave ourselves plenty of opportunities and kept another clean sheet.”
OC brought on Kevin Coleman and Harry Forrester just a moment later, replacing Darwin Jones and Danny Crisostomo, respectively.
Seconds later, Okoli, looking to play a one-two with Coleman, earned OC a penalty as Darnell King was penalized for a handball.
Aodhan Quinn stepped up to take the penalty, but OC was denied again by the pitch and the midfielder’s effort went over the bar. It was just the second penalty Quinn had missed as a member of OCSC.
Phoenix had their best run of play following the missed penalty, but the man disadvantage was noticeable in the buildup play. Despite a few set-piece attempts, the visitors still could not find the back of the net. With Phoenix pushing more numbers forward in search of an equalizer, OC looked more and more confident as the match wore on.
Late on Okoli, Coleman and late substitute Chandler Hoffman all missed close chances to score OC’s second goal of the night.
Phoenix also had a few chances and sent up Lubin in an attempt to score an equalizer.
After 95 minutes of play, OC picked up all three points.
After the match, Okoli was pleased with the result. “It’s always nice to get off the mark, or get a goal in any game,” he said. He continued, “We worked hard in training to make sure it happened today.”
Head coach Braeden Cloutier was critical of the condition of the pitch but thrilled with his players’ performances. “There’s no excuses, ever. We were structurally sound. We kept things really organized at the back and gave ourselves chances in the transition.” His only disappointment with the match? “We didn’t score enough goals tonight, but we gave ourselves plenty of opportunities and kept another clean sheet.”
Scoring:
20’: Ugo Okoli (Aodhan Quinn)
Discipline:
9’: Santi Moar (yellow, bad foul)
45’: Danny Crisostomo (yellow, bad foul)
45’: Santi Moar (second yellow, red, violent conduct)
71’: Jack Barmby (yellow, dissent)
91’: Michael Orozco (yellow, bad foul)
Scoring:
20’: Ugo Okoli (Aodhan Quinn)
Discipline:
9’: Santi Moar (yellow, bad foul)
45’: Danny Crisostomo (yellow, bad foul)
45’: Santi Moar (second yellow, red, violent conduct)
71’: Jack Barmby (yellow, dissent)
91’: Michael Orozco (yellow, bad foul)