Orange County SC earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over Monterey Bay FC amongst the fog at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, CA on Saturday, October 14. Forward Milan Iloski’s 16th goal of the season claimed all three points for the Black and Orange and secured OCSC as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference for the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs.
The Black and Orange weathered the storm in the first 15 minutes as they grew into the match, as Monterey Bay held the majority of possession in their attacking third. However, they were unable to come away with a shot on target.
Iloski had the first shot on target of the match in the 18th minute after midfielder Kyle Scott played a ball over the top for forward Kevin Lankford. Lankford used his chest to direct the ball down into the path of Iloski, who struck cleanly on the half volley, but his effort was saved calmly by MBFC goalkeeper Antony Siaha.
The Crisp and Kelp had their best chance of the first half in the 32nd minute when defender Morey Doner played a low cross into the box that was deflected by defender Andrew Fox. The ball then fell to MBFC midfielder Andrew Rebollar inside the box and his right-footed effort was parried away by OCSC goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
OCSC countered later in the 39th minute when Iloski played Lankford through on goal. Lankford avoided a tackle from MBFC captain Hugh Roberts II and then played a cross towards the back post for Iloski who continued his run and poked it past Siaha for a 1-0 lead.
Defender Andrew Fox had two chances late in the half for OCSC to extend their lead. First Fox fired a long range effort that was blocked to the other side of the post by Siaha in the 41st minute. Siaha then saved Fox’s header on the ensuing free kick in the 42nd and the two sides went into halftime with OCSC still holding a 1-0 lead.
There weren’t many attacking chances for either side in the first 25 minutes of the second half, but the Black and Orange earned the first quality chances of the half in the 71st and 73rd minutes. First, substitute defender Alex Villanueva, playing higher up the field in attack, forced a turnover that fell into the path of Lankford in one-on-one with Siaha. Siaha came out way off his line to stifle Lankford and make the save.
Two minutes later, Scott led the attack once again for OCSC and found forward Bryce Jamison with a clever pass after the defense had collapsed. Jamison took one touch and hit a short towards the near post that Siaha just got a touch on and the ball rang off the post and wide.
MBFC had their only shot on goal of the second half come in stoppage time off a corner when substitute Nevello Yoseke headed a cross from substitute Grant Robinson towards goal, but Shutler made his second save, sealing his 10th clean sheet and the 1-0 victory for OCSC.
The Black and Orange return home to The Champ as the 2nd seed in the West for the Western Conference Quarterfinals to face 7th seeded El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 PM. With five straight home Saturday sellouts, these tickets are going fast! Help us Pack The Champ to help the boys as they look to Bring it Home. Grab your tickets here today!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Midfielder Kevin Partida played in his 100th USL Championship appearance.
Forward Milan Iloski scored his 16th goal of the regular season in the 39th minute off an assist from forward Kevin Lankford.
Orange County SC clinched the 2nd seed in the West and will now host 7th seed El Paso Locomotive FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinal.
Partida earned two yellow cards in tonight’s match and will be unavailable for selection in the Western Conference Quarterfinal.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| OCSC | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MBFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
39’ Milan Iloski (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
22’ Kevin Lankford
88’ Kevin Partida
90 +4’ Kevin Partida – RED
90 +11’ Andrew Fox
MONTEREY BAY FC
76’ Max Glasser
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ryan Doghman, Andrew Fox, Dillon Powers (C), Owen Lambe; Kevin Partida, Kyle Scott (Ashton Miles 90’), Seth Casiple, Bryce Jamison (Brent Richards 75’); Kevin Lankford, Milan Iloski (Alex Villanueva 61’)
Unused subs: Eric Lopez (GK), Benjamin Barjolo, Taj Eagleston, Nico Ruiz
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 45% | Shots: 13 | Shots On Goal: 7 | Corners: 9 | Fouls: 12 | Offsides: 0 |
MONTEREY BAY FC LINEUP:
Antony Siaha (GK); Sam Gleadle, Hugh Roberts II (C), Kai Greene, Morey Doner; Rafael Baca (Mobi Fehr 65’), James Murphy (Nevello Yoseke 65’), Adrian Rebollar (Max Glasser 65’); Chase Boone (Jesus Enriquez 65’), Sean “Ugo” Okoli (Grant Robinson 77’), Christian Volesky
Unused subs: Carlos Hererra (GK), Alex Lara
Head Coach: Frank Yallop
Possession: 55% | Shots: 14 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 4 | Fouls: 13 | Offsides: 1 |
Orange County SC @ Monterey Bay FC
2023 USL Championship | Matchday 34
Date: October 14, 2023
Venue: Cardinale Stadium (Seaside, CA)
Weather: This is where the fun begins…