Orange County SC fell to Colorado Switchbacks FC 1-0 on Friday, September 15 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA. It was OCSC’s first loss since their 2-0 defeat away to RGV FC on July 9, 2023.
The Black and Orange had the first chance of the night in the second minute as forward Thomas Amang found midfielder Kevin Lankford outside the box. Lankford sent in a pass to a streaking forward Milan Iloski, but Iloski’s first touch skied over the crossbar.
The next chance for OCSC occurred in the 18th minute when Lankford drew a free kick just outside the box. Midfielder Brian Iloski took the ensuing free kick with his left foot, curving in a ball that just missed the right goalpost.
One minute later, OCSC pushed forward again as midfielder Seth Casiple led the attack. He dished the ball to Milan Iloski in the left side of the box. Iloski fired one with his right foot that was saved in the top left corner of the goal by Colorado goalkeeper Christian Herrera.
Milan Iloski again led the push in the 30th minute as the ball found its way to him outside the left side of the box. He created space between himself and the defender before firing a left-footed strike towards the right side of the goal that Herrera just got a finger to.
A minute later, following a corner, the ball found its way to OCSC defender Ryan Doghman. Doghman sent in a rocket right at Herrera whose quick hands punched it away from danger.
Brian found Doghman again on the left side of the box in the 35th minute. Doghman hit a strike on the ground towards Herrera, who again came up with a huge save to keep OCSC off the board, his fourth of the night.
Orange County SC dominated the first half with 56% possession, holding most of the ball in the final third during the half. Despite five shots on target compared to zero for Colorado Springs, both teams went into the break tied at 0-0.
Brian Iloski drew a free kick just outside the box in the 62nd minute, but his shot deflected off the keeper and hit the top of the crossbar.
Things finally turned Colorado’s way in the 84th minute as substitute forward Mallaque Foster found midfielder Tyreek Magee outside the box. Magee blasted a strike over the head of OCSC goalkeeper Eric Lopez, giving Colorado a 1-0 lead.
The Black and Orange had their final attacking chance in the 90th minute, when substitute forward Marc “Sparky” McNulty found captain defender Marcus Nakkim on the right side of the box. Nakkim made a sliding shot attempt that just missed the bottom left corner of the net.
OCSC fought hard until the final whistle, but in the end the one Colorado Springs goal got the better of them as the game ended in a 1-0 defeat, ending their streak of nine games unbeaten.
OCSC will hit the road the next two weeks against San Antonio FC and Phoenix Rising FC before returning home to The Champ on Wednesday, October 4 for our California Classic Night vs. The Oakland Roots at 7pm. Grab your tickets here today!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Goalkeeper Eric Lopez made his OCSC debut tonight.
Midfielder Kevin Partida was shown a yellow card tonight in the 25th minute of play, his eighth of the season. Partida will be unavailable for selection next Saturday against San Antonio.
OCSC wore black armbands in honor of Korede Osundina’s grandmother, Susie, and Bryce Jamison’s grandfather, Rob, who recently passed away this past week.
Tonight was the first loss for Orange County SC since July 9, 2023 and their first goal allowed at home since July 1 against Monterey Bay FC.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| COS | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| OCSC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
84’ Tyreek Magee (COS)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
25’ Kevin Partida
COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC
61’ Stevie Echevarria
90’+3 Christian Herrera
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Eric Lopez (GK); Ryan Doghman, Owen Lambe (Brent Richards 84’), Markus Nakkim (C), Dillon Powers; Seth Casiple, Brian Iloski (Andrew Fox, 71’), Kevin Lankford (Sparky McNulty 55’), Kevin Partida; Milan Iloski, Thomas Amang (Bryce Jamison 84’)
Unused subs: Juan Santana (GK), Alex Villanueva, Ben Barjolo
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 49% | Shots: 19 | Shots On Goal: 7 | Corners: 9 | Fouls: 8 | Offsides: 4 |
COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC LINEUP:
Christian Herrera (GK); James Musa (Delentz Pierre 75’), Matt Mahoney (C), Drew Skundrich; Duke Lacroix, Jay Chapman, Stevie Echevarria (Tyreek Magee 75’), Speedy Williams, Deshane Beckford (Aaron Wheeler 90’+2); Juan Tejada (Maalique Foster, 65’), Romario Williams
Unused subs: Joe Kuzminsky (GK), Jairo Henriquez, Marco Rios
Head Coach: Stephen Hogan
Possession: 51% | Shots: 9 | Shots On Goal: 1 | Corners: 6 | Fouls: 16 | Offsides: 0 |
Orange County SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
2023 USL Championship | Matchday 29
Date: September 15, 2023
Venue: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
Weather: Small setback for a major comeback