Kickoff: Saturday, August 26 (7:30 PM PST)
Where: Charles C. Hughes Stadium (Sacramento, CA)
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal, ESPN+, Official OCSC Watch Party at Brewery X
After a week where they took down the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference, the road doesn’t get any easier for Orange County SC as they head to Charles C. Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California to face league leading Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, August 26. This is the 25th regular season meeting all-time between the two clubs, the sixth series in league history to reach that mark. This match will be taking place at Hughes Stadium and not SacRepublic’s current home of Heart Health Park, as the hosts celebrate their 10th Anniversary match.
A WELL-DEFENDED REPUBLIC
Sacramento Republic FC enter Saturday’s contest in first place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference. Sacramento have become known over the years as one of the stingiest defenses in the Western Conference and the USL as a whole. Last year they let in 1.00 goal per game in the regular season, and have followed that up with a 0.72 goals allowed per game rate this season. They are the only side in the USL Championship to allow less than 20 goals so far this season. They are led in the back by goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello. Vitiello ranks ninth in the league in saves with 61 and is tied for third in the league in clean sheets kept with eight. Forward Russel Cicerone leads their attack with 13 goals, placing him in third for the USL Championship Golden Boot race chase.
2023 Regular Season Record: 13-3-9 (1st in USL-C Western Conference)
Goals Scored: 42 | Goals Allowed: 18 | Clean Sheets: 9
Players to Watch
F Russell Cicerone
GK Daniel Vitiello
LOOKING TO KEEP IT ROLLIN’ DOWN BY THE RIVER CITY
Orange County SC heads into Saturday’s matchup with Sacramento in fourth place in the Western Conference, level on points with Oakland in third. They have won six straight matches after a 2-0 victory over the Charleston Battery last Saturday. The win tied a club record for most consecutive victories, previously set in 2019. Goal of the Week contenders from defender Owen Lambe and midfielder Brian Iloski saw the Black and Orange defeat the Eastern Conference’s 3rd seed. Lambe earned a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week alongside goalkeeper Colin Shutler, who kept two clean sheets across both matches last week. OCSC will be without their leading goal scorer, forward Milan Iloski, on Saturday, after Iloski was handed a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation over the season. Head coach Morten Karlsen could potentially look to newcomers Cameron Dunbar and Kevin Lankford to fill that role. We’ll see what’s up Morten’s sleeve come Saturday.
Players to Watch
M Kevin Partida
D Dillon Powers
All-time record:
Orange County SC is 9-10-5 all-time against Sacramento Republic FC. This is the 25th matchup in this series, just the sixth series in USL Championship history to reach that milestone.
Previous Matchup: 2023 USL Championship
Orange County SC 1 – 0 Sacramento Republic FC (Championship Stadium, Irvine, CA)
Scoring summary: Milan Iloski 5’ (OCSC)
CALLING ALL HEROES!
The Black and Orange head on the road for their next two matches, but will return home to Championship Stadium at the Great Park in Irvine on Saturday, September 9 when they face El Paso Locomotive FC on Heroes Night! At this match, we will be honoring our local first responders, military service members, veterans, and more! These tickets will sell out, so grab yours today! Tickets can be purchased here.
JUST FOUR REGULAR SEASON HOME MATCHES REMAIN!
There are just FOUR regular season home matches left in the 2023 USL Championship regular season after tomorrow’s match! With sellouts on our previous three Saturday home matches, don’t miss out on our last few regular season home games and help us pack The Champ! Get your tickets here.