Kickoff: Saturday, May 20 (7:00 PM PST)
Where: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
How to Watch: At the Champ, Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN+
Orange County SC looks to build off midweek momentum fresh off of their 1-0 victory over Northern California rival Sacramento Republic FC, that ended Sac Republic’s unbeaten start to the season. The Black and Orange turn the page and get set to welcome another longtime rival to Championship Stadium, as Phoenix Rising FC come to town for Community Night on Saturday, May 20 at 7:00 PM, presented by True Path Loans.
PUZZLING PHOENIX DEFENSE
Phoenix Rising FC currently sit in 9th place in the USL Championship Western Conference, in their first full season under head coach Juan Guerra. The Rising have had an interesting start to the season, as they currently have the USL Championship leader in saves made in Rocco Rios Novo, and yet are one of the few teams in the league without a clean sheet so far this season. Forward Danny Trejo returned to the lineup last week and had a goal in the Rising’s 3-1 win over Hartford Athletic.
2023 Regular Season Record: 3-2-4 (9th in USL-C Western Conference)
Goals Scored: 13 | Goals Allowed: 13 | Clean Sheets: 0
Players to Watch
GK Rocco Rios Novo
F Danny Trejo
KEEP IT ROLLIN’
Orange County SC enter their second match of the week in 11th place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference. Their 1-0 victory over previously undefeated Sac Republic, was the Black and Orange’s most complete match of the season. Forward Milan Iloski scored his fourth goal of the season, off an assist from forward Marc “Sparky” McNulty. In his first start of the 2023 season, midfielder Seth Casiple was instrumental in the victory, as he was everywhere in the midfield. Goalkeeper Colin Shutler made his second start of the season and earned his first shutout of 2023.
Players to Watch
D Markus Nakkim
M Seth Casiple
All-time record:
Orange County SC is 9-11-8 against Phoenix Rising FC.
Previous Matchup: 2022 USL Championship Season
Orange County SC 2 – 1 Phoenix Rising FC (Championship Stadium, Irvine, CA)
Scoring Summary: Milan Iloski 20’, 62’ (OCSC), JJ Williams (23’) (PHX)
MILESTONE WATCH: BRENT RICHARDS
The next time Orange County SC defender Brent Richards takes the field for the Black and Orange, he is likely to make history! Richards needs just 23 minutes to surpass the 15,000 minutes played mark in the USL Championship.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
Orange County SC is proud to be hosting Community Night this Saturday! During the match, OCSC will be recognizing local community-based and non-profit organizations and rewarding one lucky organization with the opportunity to earn $5,000 with a halftime kick!
FLEX PACKS
Get your 10-game Orange County SC Flex Packs for the upcoming 2023 season. When you buy 9 tickets, you get a 10th for free! You can spread out the ten tickets across multiple games or bring out the whole crew for a game at the Champ. Flex packs can be purchased at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/flex-packs/.