Kickoff: Friday, September 15 (7:00 PM PST)
Where: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
How to Watch: At The Champ, ESPN+
Orange County SC squares off with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC during their lone Friday night match of the season this Friday, September 15 at Championship Stadium at the Great Park in Irvine during our Fiesta de Fireworks celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, presented by Taqueria Hoy! The match will kick off at 7:00 PM PST and will feature a postgame fireworks show following the conclusion of the match!
SWITCHBACKS STRUGGLE AT SEA LEVEL
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC enter Friday’s contest in eighth place in the Western Conference, currently in a tie with Monterey Bay FC in ninth place. They have gone 2-2-1 in their last five matches and have fought their way back into a playoff spot and they’ve done so against current playoff teams, including a 3-2 win over Oakland Roots SC and most recently a 1-1 draw with San Antonio FC. However, they have struggled to pick up results when they are not at 6,035 ft, the highest elevation of any stadium in the U.S. soccer pyramid. Their win over Oakland was their first win on the road since April 29, when they defeated the Charleston Battery, 2-1. They are led in attack by forward Romario Williams, who has 10 goals so far this season.
2023 Regular Season Record: 11-13-4 (8th in USL-C Western Conference)
Goals Scored: 37 | Goals Allowed: 39 | Clean Sheets: 6
Players to Watch
F Maalique Foster
F Romario Williams
FUEL TO THE FIRE
Orange County SC stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches after their goalless draw with El Paso Locomotive FC last Saturday. The Black and Orange left the match feeling they deserved more, but Coach Karlsen noted postgame that there were still positives to take away from their performance. The defense not only earned another clean sheet, their fourth in their last five matches, they also did not allow a shot on target. Orange County’s offense was shutout for the first time since July, but it is worth noting the last time they were shutout, the County Boys responded with three goals in their next match. Look for Morten’s Men to try and put together a similar response against a Colorado Springs defense that has given up eight goals in their last four matches.
Players to Watch
F Milan Iloski
M Kevin Partida
All-time record:
Orange County SC is 8-6-2 all-time against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, including playoff matchups.
Previous Matchup: 2023 USL Championship
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4 – 0 Orange County SC (Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, CO)
Scoring summary: Drew Skundrich 28’, Romario Williams 60’, Jairo Hernandez (PEN) 70’, Marco Rios 73 ’ (COS)
9/15 PARKING ADVISORY
Due to a large event at The Great Park outside of the Club’s control, parking for the OCSC vs. Colorado Springs match will be severely impacted. We highly encourage you to:
- Parking is available only in Lots 2 and 4. Lot 3 for premium season ticket holders only
- Have Match Tickets ready prior to arriving to gain access to parking lots
- Fans are encouraged to use rideshare or carpool to avoid limited parking availability
- If you plan on purchasing tickets at the gate, mention you are attending the Orange County SC match to parking attendants
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
IT’S FIESTA TIME!
Orange County SC will be hosting our Fiesta de Fireworks night, presented by Taqueria Hoy, to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month! Grab the whole family and come experience another great night of professional soccer in the OC, with a special halftime performance by Ballet Folklórico Nueva Generación and a postgame fireworks show! Don’t have your ticket yet? Tickets can still be purchased here.
GOIN’ BAAAACK TO BACK
Orange County SC head coach Morten Karlsen has been named the USL Championship Coach of the Month for the month of August! Karlsen is the first coach in the history of the award to win in consecutive months! Morten’s men were undefeated in the month of August, claiming all 12 points in the month while outscoring opponents 8-1 and keeping three clean sheets. Congratulations Coach Karlsen on your achievement!
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER: MILAN ILOSKI
Orange County SC’s all-time leading goal scorer and 2022 USL Championship Golden Boot winner Milan Iloski will be taking his talents to the Danish town of Farum and will join Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland in the January 2024 window. He joins Korede Osundina, Kobi Henry and several others who have made the jump to Europe to continue their professional careers after shining with OCSC. Iloski will finish out the year with OCSC before heading to FC Nordsjaelland. Congrats Milan!
JUST THREE REGULAR SEASON HOME MATCHES REMAIN!
There are just THREE regular season home matches left in Orange County SC’s 2023 USL Championship regular season! With sellouts on our previous four 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.