Orange County SC defeated Rio Grande Valley FC 2-0 behind first-half goals from forwards Milan Iloski and Korede Osundina on Saturday, June 3 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA. This is OCSC’s third clean sheet in four matches.
The Black and Orange struck first in the fourth minute, after midfielder Kyle Scott forced a turnover on the press and played a touch pass to forward Milan Iloski. In 1-on-1 with RGV goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, Iloski made no mistake with the right foot, and OCSC led 1-0 early.
OCSC didn’t lay off the gas, as midfielder Danny Pederson led the charge in the 16th minute putting a through ball to Iloski. Iloski played a beautiful backheel pass to Osundina, who beat Merancio with his right foot, extending the OCSC advantage to 2-0.
The Orange County SC defense held strong in the first half, only allowing one shot on target, taking a 2-0 lead going into the break.
Out of the break, it was RGV who applied the pressure getting their first real opportunity of the night in the 52nd minute. Midfielder Robert Coronado found defender Juan Cabezas, whose right footed shot from outside the box was saved by OCSC goalkeeper Colin Shutler, his second save of the night.
OCSC had their first chance of the second half in the 61st minute as Iloski delivered a ball to substitute forward Bryce Jamison, whose right footed shot was saved by the keeper.
RGV had another chance in the 62nd minute as midfielder Wilmer Cabrera’s right footed free kick shot from outside the box was saved in the bottom left corner by OCSC goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
OCSC continued to apply pressure in the 74th minute as a run from substitute forward Thomas Amang broke into the box finding a sprinting Iloski, whose right footed shot from the left side of the box was saved by Merancio.
The Black and Orange held off one final push from RGV, securing all three points at The Champ in a 2-0 victory.
OCSC will be back in action next weekend at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, June 10, where they will start a three game road trip, before heading back to The Champ on Saturday, July 1 at 7:00 PM vs. Monterey Bay FC. Grab your tickets here!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Former OCSC defender Kobi Henry was in attendance tonight, and received his 2021 USL Championship ring before the game.
With an appearance tonight, defender Brent Richards has played in 200 games in his USL Championship career.
Forward Milan Illoski scored the fastest goal of the regular season tonight for OCSC, his fifth goal of the season.
With the goal tonight, forward Korede Osundina scored his second goal of the 2023 USL Championship regular season.
Tonight marks the second straight USL Championship clean sheet, and fourth career for goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| RGVFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OCSC | 2 | 0 | 2 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
4’ Milan Iloski (OCSC)
16’ Korede Osundina (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
13’ Owen Lambe
77’ Danny Pedersen
RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC
53’ Taylor Davila
75’ Ricardo Ruiz
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ryan Doghman, Owen Lambe (Brent Richards 60’), Markus Nakkim (C), Dillon Powers; Brian Iloski (Morten Bjørshol 66’), Seth Casiple, Daniel A. Pedersen, Kyle Scott (Thomas Amang 60’); Milan Iloski (Marc “Sparky” McNulty 84’), Korede Osundina (Bryce Jamison 45’)
Unused subs: Cody Cropper (GK), Andrew Fox
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 40% | Shots: 7 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corners: 4 | Fouls: 13 | Offsides: 11 |
RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC LINEUP:
Carlos Merancio (GK); Frank Nodarse, Juan Cabezas (C) (Jose Torres 71’), Wahab Ackwei, Eric Kinzer; Taylor Davila (Ian Cerro 84’), Robert Coronado (Tomas Ritandole 84’), Ricardo Ruiz, Wilmer Cabrera; Fracois Christiano (Duilio Herrera 58’), Frank Lopez
Unused subs: John Deric (GK), Erik Pimentel, Diego Rivera
Head Coach: Wilmer Cabrera
Possession: 60% | Shots: 7 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 12 | Offsides: 1 |
Orange County SC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
2023 USL Championship | Matchday 14
Date: June 3, 2023
Venue: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
Weather: We are the team with the LONE STAR