Orange County SC welcomed longtime rival Sacramento Republic FC to The Champ on a beautiful Saturday night in Southern California. After a fierce 90 minutes, the County Boys earned a point in the 1-1 draw against Sacramento.
The match opened with both sides feeling each other out, trading possession and looking for opportunities to test the opposing defense. Orange County remained patient in their buildup, looking for a clear-cut chance to score in the early stages.
Orange County found their first scoring chance in the 22’ minute, as Chris Hegardt received the ball from the halfway line, beating two defenders to drive the ball up and through to Lyam MacKinnon. MacKinnon beat the defensive line but sent the low shot into the hands of Daniel Vitiello.
The first half would see both teams at a goalless draw. While Orange County held only 36% possession, Captain Tom Brewitt led the defensive line, shielding the ball from Sacramento’s combative forwards. The back line only allowed one shot in the first half and maintained a strong defensive play.
The deadlock broke in the 61’ minute when Ryan Doghman took the ball and accelerated past the defense. Doghman crossed to Hegardt, who knocked it to the center of the net, passing a diving Vitello and earning Orange County the 1-0 lead.
The 84’ minute saw Sacramento get the equalizer from a corner, with Memo Rodriguez whipping in the ball to the near post where a lone Aaron Essel met the ball with his knee and put it in the back of the net, giving Alex Rando no chance in saving it, bringing this game to 1-1.
The final 10 minutes of the game wrapped up with both teams trying their best to steal all three points and move up the table. Sacramento tried to find another through a set piece, adding up a total of 11 corners in the game, as Orange County tried to get one through counterattacks. Neither were able to tally another goal, and the match ended 1-1 after six minutes of stoppage time.
The Black & Orange finished the match with 35% possession, four shots taken with two on goal compared to Sacramento’s 65% possession, 16 shots taken with four on target.
This is the first draw between Orange County SC and Sacramento Republic FC in seven matches.
Orange County will stay in Irvine to face Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, September 12, for California Classic Night. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| OCSC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SAC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
61’ – Chris Hegardt (Assist – Ryan Doghman)
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
83’ – Aaron Essel (Assist – Memo Rodriguez)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
19’ Yellow Card – Tyler Wolff (SAC)
71’ Yellow Card – Danny Crisostomo (SAC)
75’ Yellow Card – Ousmane Sylla (OCSC)
79’ Yellow Card – Stephen Kelly (OCSC)
90+4’ Yellow Card – Tom Brewitt (OCSC)
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP: (4-2-3-1)
Alex Rando (GK); Tom Brewitt (C), Garrison Tubbs, Ryan Doghman, Nico Benalcazar, Ousmane Sylla (83’ Tyson Espy), Lyam MacKinnon (68’ Mataeo Bunbury), Stephen Kelly, Chris Hegardt (83’ Marcelo Palomino), Yaniv Bazini, Jaylin Lindsey
Unused subs: Tetsuya Kadono (GK); Ethan Zubak, Finn O’Brien, Jerome Carter Jr., Joaquin Castro, Jack Gentile
Head Coach: Danny Stone
Possession: 35% | Shots: 4 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 14 | Offsides: 1 | Saves: 3
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC LINEUP: (4-2-3-1)
Danny Vitiello (GK); Lee Desmond (C), Jared Timmer, Danny Crisostomo, Pep Casas, Blake Willey (62’ Alfredo Midence), Memo Rodríguez, Tyler Wolff (66’ Mayele Malango), Cal Jennings (62’ Kyle Edwards), Freddy Kleemann (81’ Aaron Essel), Ryan Spaulding (66’ Tim Leibold)
Unused Subs: Jacob Randolph (GK): Arturo Rodríguez, Forster Ajago
Head Coach: Neill Collins
Possession: 65% | Shots: 16 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corners: 11 | Fouls: 10 | Offsides: 2 | Saves: 1
Orange County SC v. Sacramento Republic FC
2026 USL Championship Match 23
Date: September 5, 2026
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA