Kickoff: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (7:00 PM PDT)
Where: Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA
How to Watch: KCAL Plus 9.6 / CBS Golazo Network
Available in the U.K.: USL on YouTube
Orange County SC returns to Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, September 26, looking to use a return to Irvine as a springboard into the final stretch of the USL Championship regular season. OCSC enters the weekend at 9-10-6 with 36 points and remains in the thick of a crowded Western Conference playoff race. Injuries and an ever-changing lineup have made continuity difficult in recent weeks, but returning to The Champ allows OCSC to regroup in familiar surroundings. With five regular-season matches remaining, every point carries added weight, and the Black and Orange faithful behind them should provide an important lift as Orange County looks to build momentum for the stretch run.
Pittsburgh arrives in Southern California with its own challenges after a 1-0 defeat at Detroit City FC last weekend dropped the Riverhounds to 11-10-5 and 38 points, fourth in the Eastern Conference. The defending USL Championship title holders have been difficult to break down, conceding just 26 goals through 26 league matches, but they have also scored only 28. That profile has produced plenty of close matches, and Pittsburgh has scored just four times across its last five league contests. Trevor Amann leads the Hounds with seven league goals, while Albert Dikwa and Sam Bassett have six apiece. Veteran midfielder Robbie Mertz remains another player Orange County will need to account for, while Charles Ahl leads Pittsburgh with four assists. The Hounds are coming off a match in Detroit in which they managed only one shot on target, another indication that denying Pittsburgh an early foothold could be important for OCSC.
For Orange County, Saturday represents a chance to turn the page. OCSC has been forced to shuffle the group as injuries have accumulated, but that has also created opportunities for younger players and new faces. Nineteen-year-old Southern California native Paul Ngoie made his professional debut in Lexington, while Sydney Wathuta has recently worked his way into the starting group. The experience of Stephen Kelly, Chris Hegardt, Ousmane Sylla and captain Tom Brewitt becomes particularly important during this stretch, while goalkeeper Alex Rando continues to provide a steady presence behind the group. The formula against Pittsburgh does not need to be complicated: play with energy from the opening whistle, make the visitors defend facing their own goal and turn possession into chances. Pittsburgh’s defensive numbers suggest opportunities may be limited, making Orange County’s ability to capitalize when they arrive especially important.
History provides Orange County with another reason for confidence. OCSC has enjoyed considerable success against Pittsburgh over the years and is unbeaten in the four meetings between the clubs since 2022, winning twice and drawing twice. Orange County earned a 2-0 victory in Pittsburgh in 2024 and took a point from Highmark Stadium in a 1-1 draw last season. The most recent meeting in Irvine ended in a 1-0 Orange County victory in August 2023. Saturday brings the series back to Championship Soccer Stadium at an important moment for the County Boys. With the playoff race tightening and three of Orange County’s final five regular-season matches at home, the opportunity is there to lean on the home crowd, rediscover some rhythm and begin the final push toward the postseason with a positive result.
Orange County SC will be back at the Champ on October 3rd to face Monterey Bay FC and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
OCSC Keys to the Match:
For Orange County SC they will need to start aggressively and give the home crowd something to build on. Stephen Kelly and Chris Hegardt will be important in establishing control in midfield and getting OCSC playing forward, while Sydney Wathuta’s pace can provide a different dimension against Pittsburgh’s organized back line. Orange County will also need Tom Brewitt and the back line to remain disciplined against Dikwa and Amann. If chances are scarce, set pieces and second balls around the Pittsburgh penalty area could become especially important.
OCSC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 10-11-9 (7th)
Goals Scored: 44 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 8
Orange County SC is 6-1-3 all-time against Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Last 5 against PIT 2-1-2)
Players to Watch:
M Chris Hegardt
F Sydney Wathuta
Previous Matchup: 2025 USL Championship
Orange County SC 1-1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds– USL Championship Match (August 9, 2025, Pittsburgh, PA))
Scoring Summary: 41’ Zubak (OC), 68’ Suber (PIT)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Keys to the Match:
For Pittsburgh Riverhounds, they will look to keep the match compact, limit Orange County’s opportunities through the middle and make the County Boys work for space around the penalty area. The Hounds have allowed only 26 goals in 26 league matches, but their 28 goals scored also suggest Orange County can put itself in a strong position by scoring first. Pittsburgh will look toward Amann and Dikwa to provide the finishing touch and Mertz to help connect the midfield with the attack.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 12-10-8 (4th) Goals Scored: 33 | Goals Allowed: 28 | Clean Sheets: 16
Players to Watch:
F Trevor Amann
M Robbie Mertz