Kickoff: Saturday, September 2 (7:30 PM PST)
Where: Cashman Field (Las Vegas, NV)
How to Watch: ESPN+
Fresh off a statement 2-0 win over rival Sacramento Republic FC in front of a hostile crowd of 20,000, Orange County SC looks to push their luck on their new club record seven match win streak on the road in Sin City against Las Vegas Lights FC. This will be the final matchup with the Lights this season, following a 2-2 draw at Championship Stadium earlier this year. You can catch Saturday’s match on ESPN+, the official streaming home of the USL Championship.
HOUSE DOESN’T ALWAYS WIN
Las Vegas Lights FC enter Saturday in last place in the USL Championship Western Conference, having earned just 14 points so far this season. They have struggled in both phases of the game, ranking last in the conference and 23rd in the league goals scored, and last in the West and 21st in the league overall in goals allowed. To make matters worse for the Lights, they just recently transferred their leading goal scorer, forward Tabort Etaka Preston, to the Birmingham Legion. They are not to be overlooked, after playing to a 3-3 draw in a thriller with New Mexico United on Wednesday. Their previous two matches prior to that were decided by just one goal. While the playoffs currently look bleak for the Vegas side, they now have the opportunity to play spoilers for the rest of the season. They’ll get a chance to do that this Saturday, as they have defeated the Black and Orange on their last two trips to Sin City.
2023 Regular Season Record: 2-15-8 (12th in USL-C Western Conference)
Goals Scored: 24 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 2
Players to Watch
F Pato Botello Faz
D Lucas Stauffer
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
Orange County SC heads into Cashman Field in third place in the Western Conference. They have won seven straight matches after a 2-0 victory over Sacramento last Saturday behind goals from forward Thomas Amang and midfielder Seth Casiple, his first of his Orange County career. The win set a new club record for most consecutive victories, breaking the old record set in 2019. The victory over Sacramento marked the first professional start for 18-year-old Next Wave goalkeeper Juan Santana. The Corona, CA native performed exceptionally between the posts, making three saves in his first professional clean sheet, including his kick save on Republic forward and Golden Boot contender Russell Cicerone that was nominated for USL Championship Save of the Week. The accolades did not stop there for the Black and Orange, as midfielder Kyle Scott was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week, tallying one assist while completing 91% of his passes, winning 67% of his tackles and 63% of his duels. Santana and defender Dillon Powers were also selected to the Team of the Week bench. The return of forward and leading goal scorer Milan Iloski will also provide a lift to the offense heading into the desert.
Players to Watch
F Milan Iloski
M Seth Casiple
All-time record:
Orange County SC is 9-3-3 all-time against Las Vegas Lights FC.
Previous Matchup: 2023 USL Championship
Orange County SC 2 – 2 Las Vegas Lights FC (Championship Stadium, Irvine, CA)
Scoring summary: Erick “Cubo” Torres 44’, Pato Botello Faz 62’ (LVL), Alex Villanueva 60’, Milan Iloski 64’ (OCSC)
YOUNG PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: JUAN SANTANA
Called into action on short notice, 18-year-old Juan Santana started in his first professional appearance in front of 20,000 people at Charles C. Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, CA and earned his first professional clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over the Republic. Santana has been a feature on OCSC’s reserve team, OCSC II, for the past year and was recently called into the first team as the main backup behind starting goalkeeper Colin Shutler. He became the youngest goalkeeper in USL Championship history to record a clean sheet on his debut (18 years, 4 months, 21 days). Santana ranks as the ninth youngest goalkeeper in league history to record a shutout.
CONGRATULATIONS KOREDE!
Orange County SC transferred 19-year-old forward to club partner and reigning Dutch Eredivisie Champion Feyenoord Rotterdam on Wednesday. In his time with the club, Osundina amassed four goals and three assists across 41 appearances in all competitions. He becomes the latest Next Wave player to come through OCSC and take his talents to the next level in Europe. Best of luck Korede, and thank you for all you’ve done for 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! 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.