Orange County Soccer Club vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
2018 USL Regular Season (Week 7)
Saturday, April 28, 2018 | 7:00 PM (PST)
Championship Soccer Stadium | Irvine, CA
Match Recap
IRVINE, Calif. (April 29, 2018) – A methodical defense and early penalty proved key as Orange County SC jumped right back into first place in the Western Conference standings. The team vanquished a difficult Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1-0 Saturday night at home at the Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park.
“I’ve been a part of this league now for four years and I know what a difficult opponent Switchbacks can be. It’s one of my least favorite teams to play against,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “You know regardless of the circumstances they are always going to be up for a fight! I have the upmost respect for Steve Tritshue and Wolde Harris and know that team is always motivated. After playing at RGV Wednesday and traveling back we knew it would be important to get an early lead with heavy legs. We knew we were going to have to be compact and organized defensively. We showed a lot of character tonight and I couldn’t be prouder of our team!”
The game winning goal came early in the 6th minute, when Colorado Springs Switchback FC captain and Josh Suggs took down Mark Segbers in the penalty box. Aodhan Quinn stepped up to take the shot, inducing keeper Moise Pouaty to go in the wrong direction as he sent the ball flying into the bottom right corner of the net.
Orange County Soccer Club vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
2018 USL Regular Season (Week 7)
Saturday, April 28, 2018 | 7:00 PM (PST)
Championship Soccer Stadium | Irvine, CA
Match Recap
IRVINE, Calif. (April 29, 2018) – A methodical defense and early penalty proved key as Orange County SC jumped right back into first place in the Western Conference standings. The team vanquished a difficult Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1-0 Saturday night at home at the Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park.
“I’ve been a part of this league now for four years and I know what a difficult opponent Switchbacks can be. It’s one of my least favorite teams to play against,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “You know regardless of the circumstances they are always going to be up for a fight! I have the upmost respect for Steve Tritshue and Wolde Harris and know that team is always motivated. After playing at RGV Wednesday and traveling back we knew it would be important to get an early lead with heavy legs. We knew we were going to have to be compact and organized defensively. We showed a lot of character tonight and I couldn’t be prouder of our team!”
The game winning goal came early in the 6th minute, when Colorado Springs Switchback FC captain and Josh Suggs took down Mark Segbers in the penalty box. Aodhan Quinn stepped up to take the shot, inducing keeper Moise Pouaty to go in the wrong direction as he sent the ball flying into the bottom right corner of the net.
“Aodhan has quietly been one of the most important players in our team,” said Cloutier. “For him to step up and concert that penalty was a reward for him and all his hard work he’s put into our midfield.”
Christian Duke nearly scored a second goal for Orange County SC in the 13th minute but Taylor Hunter was there to clear it off the line. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Shane Malcom attempted a shot at a difficult angle in the 19th minute but came up short as his shot went high and wide to the left. In the 38th minute, Thomas Enevoldsen sent an opportune cross to Nansel Selbol who fired the shot but Pouaty was just able to keep it out of the net. The teams headed into the half with Orange County SC up one nil.
“Aodhan has quietly been one of the most important players in our team,” said Cloutier. “For him to step up and concert that penalty was a reward for him and all his hard work he’s put into our midfield.”
Christian Duke nearly scored a second goal for Orange County SC in the 13th minute but Taylor Hunter was there to clear it off the line. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Shane Malcom attempted a shot at a difficult angle in the 19th minute but came up short as his shot went high and wide to the left. In the 38th minute, Thomas Enevoldsen sent an opportune cross to Nansel Selbol who fired the shot but Pouaty was just able to keep it out of the net. The teams headed into the half with Orange County SC up one nil.
Despite appearing evenly matched in the second half, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC was unable to equalize due to Orange County SC’s compressed defense. The best chance to equalize came in the 71st minute when Jordan Burt sent a curling shot to the right but a diving save from Andre Rawls kept the clean sheet in tact.
“The key to the second half was being disciplined in the midfield and keeping our lines compact,” said Cloutier. “We didn’t want the game to get too opened up and stretched out. We know they have plenty of pace and didn’t want to get ourselves into a transition game.”
Orange County SC have a quick turn-around as they head back on the road to take on Real Monarchs SLC at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, May 4 at 6:00 PM. The team is back at home at Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, May 12 at 7:00 PM for Fleece Blanket Night presented by Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC fleece blanket courtesy of Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Quantities are limited so fans are advised to arrive early to receive their blanket. Tickets for upcoming home matches are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.
Photo credit: Liza Rosales | Liza Rosales Photography
Despite appearing evenly matched in the second half, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC was unable to equalize due to Orange County SC’s compressed defense. The best chance to equalize came in the 71st minute when Jordan Burt sent a curling shot to the right but a diving save from Andre Rawls kept the clean sheet in tact.
“The key to the second half was being disciplined in the midfield and keeping our lines compact,” said Cloutier. “We didn’t want the game to get too opened up and stretched out. We know they have plenty of pace and didn’t want to get ourselves into a transition game.”
Orange County SC have a quick turn-around as they head back on the road to take on Real Monarchs SLC at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, May 4 at 6:00 PM. The team is back at home at Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, May 12 at 7:00 PM for Fleece Blanket Night presented by Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC fleece blanket courtesy of Hoag and Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Quantities are limited so fans are advised to arrive early to receive their blanket. Tickets for upcoming home matches are available online at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com or via phone at (949) 647-GOAL.
Photo credit: Liza Rosales | Liza Rosales Photography