Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 vs. Orange County Soccer Club
2017 USL Regular Season (Week thirty)
Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Friday, October 13 – 7pm PST
Irvine, Calif. (October 15, 2017) Orange County SC fought back from behind for the victory in Vancouver after trailing for nearly the entire match. OCSC did not gain the lead until Kevin Jeon scored the game-winner in the 85th minute. Both teams already knew they were eliminated from the playoff picture entering the match. In a sense freeing both teams to throw caution to the wind and play open, offensive soccer as seven goals were scored between them. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 opened the scoring within fifteen minutes through the head of Myer Bevan. Although chances were bountiful, there was a brief lull in the scoring following the first goal until Irvin Parra brought Orange County SC level. Running away from the goal and from an acute angle, Parra controlled his body to whip a well-placed shot into the upper corner of the net. However, the deadlock didn’t last long and the home team pulled in front. Just two minutes later in the 43rd minute Vancouver worked the ball down the left flank the cut back cross was finished inch perfect off the far post into Charlie Lyon’s net. Orange County SC entered the half trailing by a goal.
Vancouver FC 2 scored the first goal following the restart, in the 62nd minute. However, Orange County SC showed grit and great fighting spirit after falling behind 3-1. They were determined to end the season well and immediately responded one minute later. James Baxendale fired his shot off the cross bar and Zach Kobayashi was there to clean up the rebound and score the volley. Parra then equalized for OCSC ten minutes later, scoring his second of the match. Another parallel story in the match was Irvin Parra made history by becoming the USL’s first player to end the season with both double digit goals and assists. OCSC then dominated the remainder of the match pushing for the go-ahead goal. That goal came off the right boot of Kevin Jeon in the 85th minute giving Orange County SC a dramatic late win.
Although Orange County SC just missed the playoffs this season, they were able end the year on a positive note with a win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The win in Vancouver meant OCSC swept the Whitecaps FC 2 in the season series winning all three times the two teams played each other.
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://www.orangecountysoccer.com.
Contact:
Kelly Salmieri: SVP, Corporate Partnerships & Public Relations, kelly@https://www.orangecountysoccer.com, 805.844.0856