Albi Skendi and Ugo Okoli scored in Orange County SC’s 2-2 draw with Oakland Roots SC on Saturday, May 7 at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine. OCSC remains unbeaten against Oakland all-time.
Okoli scored his third goal of the season assisted by Milan Iloski in the 22’ with a no-look back heel. It came minutes after Okoli connected on a header that was on goal until it was saved by Oakland’s goalkeeper.
OCSC doubled their lead with Skendi’s first goal in an Orange County kit 10 minutes before the halftime whistle. From a set piece situation, Daniel Pedersen crossed in a ball that found Skendi running towards the back post. The 6’ 5” Albanian was there to tap the ball into the back of the net.
Despite being down a pair of goals, Oakland made the most of the remaining 45 minutes. In the 68’, Edgardo Rito put a ball past OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky. In the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, Oakland tied the match off a direct free kick goal from Ottar Magnus Karlsson.
Rob Kiernan made his return to the pitch for his 2022 USL Championship regular season after returning to the team in April.
FC Tulsa visits Championship Soccer Stadium on Friday, May 13 with Dollar Beers and Cheap Eats during the pregame and a fireworks show in the postgame. The homestand concludes with the second Beer Fest of the season on Saturday, May 21 against El Paso Locomotive FC. Tickets for all the matches can be purchased here.
TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
OCSC | 2 | 0 | 2 |
OAK | 0 | 2 | 2 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
22’ Ugo Okoli (OCSC)
35’ Albi Skendi (OCSC)
68’ Edgardo Rito (OAK)
90+4’ Ottar Magnus Karlsson (OAK)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
55’ Michael Orozco
OAKLAND ROOTS SC
14’ Jose Hernandez
88’ Tarek Morad
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Patrick Rakovsky (GK), Michael Orozco (C), Albi Skendi, Brent Richards (Rob Kiernan), Seth Casiple (Tommy McCabe), Cubo Torres, Milan Iloski (Korede Osundina), Ugo Okoli (Mikko Kuningas) , Daniel Pedersen, Tony Rocha (Kevin Partida), Alex Villanueva
Unused subs: Colin Shutler (GK), Hunter Gorskie
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow
Possession: 29% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 15 | Offsides: 2 |
OAKLAND ROOTS SC LINEUP:
Benny Diaz (GK), Joseph Nane (Memo Diaz) (C), Alejandro Fuenmayor, Tarek Morad, Daniel Barbir (Johnny Rodriguez), Edgardo Rito, Jose Hernandez, Juan Azocar (Mikael Johnsen), Dariusz Formella (Jesus Enriquez), Charlie Dennis, Ottar Magnus Karlsson
Unused subs: Paul Blanchette (GK), Wolfgang Prentice, Emrah Klimenta
Head Coach:
Possession: 71% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corners: 5 | Fouls: 11 | Offsides: 2 |
Orange County SC vs Oakland Roots SC
2022 USL Championship | Matchday 8
Date: May 7, 2022
Kickoff: 7:06 PM PDT
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium (Irvine, CA)
Weather: Cool.