Kickoff: Saturday, August 22, 2026 (700 PM PDT)
Where: How to Watch: CBS Sports Network
Available in the U.K.: USL on YouTube
Orange County SC remains atop the Western Conference, but the Black and Orange enter Saturday night’s matchup against FC Tulsa knowing there is work to be done at home.
OCSC welcomes Tulsa to Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22, for the fourth and final match of a much-needed August homestand. After opening the stretch with a 2-0 victory over El Paso Locomotive FC, Orange County has dropped consecutive matches against Tampa Bay and Louisville City FC, leaving the club 1-2-0 through the first three games.
Despite the recent setbacks, Orange County remains in first place in the West and has an opportunity Saturday to regain momentum before heading back on the road.
The importance of making The Champ a difficult place to play will be even greater down the stretch. With Orange County battling for position at the top of the conference, the Black and Orange will need the home crowd behind them as they look to turn the page on the past two results and finish the homestand with three points.
Orange County’s 3-2 loss to Louisville on Saturday showed both the quality and resilience within the OCSC attack, but it also exposed areas that need to improve.
After falling behind early, Orange County responded and continued to push against one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams. However, Louisville was able to capitalize on key moments, with Ray Serrano scoring twice in the victory.
The result followed a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay and marked the first time this season Orange County has lost consecutive USL Championship matches.
Orange County has spent much of the 2026 season setting the pace in the Western Conference. Now comes the challenge of maintaining it. And with first place in the West to defend, OCSC will need The Champ behind them. A loud, energetic home crowd can make a difference as Orange County looks for three points and an important response before heading back on the road.
Tulsa will arrive with plenty to play for as it fights to remain above the playoff line, but Orange County has already shown it can beat the Scissortails this season.
Orange County SC will face Oakland Roots SC on the road before returning home on September 5th for a Labor Day Beer Fest and a match against Sacramento Republic FC. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
OCSC Keys to the Match:
For Orange County, the priority will be regaining the attacking confidence and defensive organization that carried the club to the top of the Western Conference. Ousmane Sylla and Stephen Kelly will be important in controlling the midfield and getting OCSC moving forward. At the same time, Yaniv Bazini, Lyam MacKinnon and the Orange County attack need to make the most of opportunities in the final third.
OCSC should also look to attack Tulsa quickly after turnovers. The first meeting showed Orange County does not need to dominate possession to create dangerous opportunities. Tulsa wants the ball and is comfortable building possession, but Orange County can create problems by remaining organized, winning the ball in good areas, and transitioning forward before Tulsa can recover its defensive shape.
Defensively, Tom Brewitt, Garrison Tubbs and Alex Rando will need to keep OCSC organized against a Tulsa side fighting for its postseason position. Limiting Jamie Webber’s influence and preventing players such as Bailey Sparks and Bruno Lapa from finding space around the penalty area will be critical.
OCSC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 10-11-9 (7th)
Goals Scored: 44 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 8
Orange County SC is 9-5-2 all-time against FC Tulsa (Last 5 against TUL – 4-0-1)
Players to Watch:
F Mataeo Bunbury
GK Alex Rando
Previous Matchup: 2025 USL Championship
Orange County SC 1-0 FC Tulsa – USL Championship Match (April 11, 2026, Tulsa, OK)
Scoring Summary: 54’ Lyam MacKinnon (OC)
FC Tulsa Keys to the Match:
For Tulsa, patience and efficiency will be important. Tulsa controlled long stretches of the first meeting but were unable to turn possession into goals. Webber and Kocevski will need to establish control in midfield and create opportunities for Tulsa’s attack, while Sparks and Lapa will need to capitalize when chances arrive.
At the other end, Lamar Batista and Abdoulaye Cissoko will be tasked with containing an Orange County attack looking to play with greater urgency at home. Behind them, veteran Alex Tambakis and Dane Jacomen give Tulsa experience in goal. If Tulsa can withstand OCSC’s early pressure and remain organized defensively, they could create opportunities to counter as Orange County pushes numbers forward.
FC Tulsa 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 16 -5-9 (1st)
Goals Scored: 39 | Goals Allowed: 38 | Clean Sheets: 14
Players to Watch:
F Rémi Cabral
GK Alex Tambakis