IRVINE, Calif. – After a record-setting regular season, the No. 1-seed Orange County SC will look to carry that success into the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs when they host No. 8-seed Saint Louis FC on Saturday night. The club returns to the playoffs after a one-year absence. In 2016, they were the No. 8-seed and pulled an upset of top seeded Sacramento Republic FC on penalty kicks before losing to the eventual Western Conference champions, Swope Park Rangers.
IRVINE, Calif. – After a record-setting regular season, the No. 1-seed Orange County SC will look to carry that success into the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs when they host No. 8-seed Saint Louis FC on Saturday night. The club returns to the playoffs after a one-year absence. In 2016, they were the No. 8-seed and pulled an upset of top seeded Sacramento Republic FC on penalty kicks before losing to the eventual Western Conference champions, Swope Park Rangers.
OCSC locked up the top seed in the Western Conference last Saturday night and will carry home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. Saturday night will mark the first-time ever that a USL Cup Playoff game will be played in Orange County, Ca. Forward Thomas Enevoldsen finished second in the USL in goals (20) and midfielder Aodhan Quinn was second in assists (14). Forward Michael Seaton (12 goals, six assists) and winger Darwin Jones (two goals) add danger to the attack.
The opponent for Orange County will be making their USL postseason debut. Saint Louis FC securing the eighth, and final, playoff position. Forward Kyle Greig led the club in goals with 13 on the season and goalkeeper Tomas Gomez won the USL Golden Glove in 2016 and 2017. Midfielder Wal Fall is a quality player on both ends of the pitch and brings a set-piece specialty.
When the clubs matched up this season, there was never a winner. In May, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in Irvine. Orange County’s goal came by way of an own goal and Lewis Hilton equalized for Saint Louis. The clubs battled again to a 2-2 draw in late July.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM PT at Championship Soccer Stadium and tickets are still available at www.orangecountysoccer.com/2018playoffs. The first round match up can also be watched live on ESPN+.
Highlights:
In addition to finishing 2nd in assists, Aodhan Quinn was 1st in the league in chances created and passes. He was also 2nd in crosses.
Thomas Enevoldsen was in the top-ten for goals and assists in the USL.
Defender Noah Powder won the 2016 USL Cup with New York Red Bulls II.
Christian Duke represented the Western Conference in the last two USL Cup Finals with Swope Park Rangers.
OCSC locked up the top seed in the Western Conference last Saturday night and will carry home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. Saturday night will mark the first-time ever that a USL Cup Playoff game will be played in Orange County, Ca. Forward Thomas Enevoldsen finished second in the USL in goals (20) and midfielder Aodhan Quinn was second in assists (14). Forward Michael Seaton (12 goals, six assists) and winger Darwin Jones (two goals) add danger to the attack.
The opponent for Orange County will be making their USL postseason debut. Saint Louis FC securing the eighth, and final, playoff position. Forward Kyle Greig led the club in goals with 13 on the season and goalkeeper Tomas Gomez won the USL Golden Glove in 2016 and 2017. Midfielder Wal Fall is a quality player on both ends of the pitch and brings a set-piece specialty.
When the clubs matched up this season, there was never a winner. In May, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in Irvine. Orange County’s goal came by way of an own goal and Lewis Hilton equalized for Saint Louis. The clubs battled again to a 2-2 draw in late July.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM PT at Championship Soccer Stadium and tickets are still available at www.orangecountysoccer.com/2018playoffs. The first round match up can also be watched live on ESPN+.
Highlights:
In addition to finishing 2nd in assists, Aodhan Quinn was 1st in the league in chances created and passes. He was also 2nd in crosses.
Thomas Enevoldsen was in the top-ten for goals and assists in the USL.
Defender Noah Powder won the 2016 USL Cup with New York Red Bulls II.
Christian Duke represented the Western Conference in the last two USL Cup Finals with Swope Park Rangers.