Kickoff: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (6:00 PM PDT)
Where: Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA
How to Watch: KCAL Plus 9.6 / ESPN+
Available in the U.K.: USL on YouTube
Orange County SC stays home Saturday for another Western Conference test, this time against Las Vegas Lights FC. Sitting third at 9-9-5 with 36 points after 23 matches, OCSC remains firmly in the playoff picture and has not lost to the Lights in 2026. Last week’s 1-1 draw with Sacramento Republic FC was a continued step in the right direction. Chris Hegardt put Orange County in front in the 61st minute, and even after Sacramento equalized late, the point kept OCSC in the 36-point cluster with Tulsa and San Antonio. Two draws in the last two weeks have stopped the slide and given this group a platform to push again at Championship Soccer Stadium.
The season series already favors Orange County. The sides opened 2026 with a 1-1 draw in Irvine on March 7, when Lyam MacKinnon scored before Las Vegas answered late. On June 20 in Nevada, OCSC came from behind for a 3-2 win at Cashman Field. MacKinnon and Yaniv Bazini put Orange County ahead after Oalex Anderson had opened, Johnny Rodriguez leveled, and Garrison Tubbs finished a loose ball in the 76th minute. Alex Rando’s late saves closed it out. That road win is the clearest reminder of what this team can do when it stays clinical and wins the second balls.
Saturday also brings a familiar face back to the Champ. Kyle Scott, now anchoring the Lights midfield, returns to Championship Soccer Stadium against the club that knows him well. Scott started the June meeting and remains the connector who tries to slow Orange County’s rhythm. Las Vegas sits 8-5-10 with 29 points and needs results to stay in the playoff conversation. The Lights can still score through Rodriguez, Anderson, and Christian Pinzón. They have not beaten OCSC in league play this year, and Orange County will try to keep that record intact in front of the home crowd.
What to expect is a home match Orange County should control if it plays with the same purpose that produced chances against Sacramento and the winner in Las Vegas. The playoff math is simple. Another point helps. Three points would separate OCSC from the pack behind and keep the top of the West within reach. Finish the chances, welcome Scott back on OCSC’s terms, and turn two straight draws into a result that looks like progress.
Next week, Orange County travels to Kentucky to face Lexington SC on Saturday, September 19, before returning home on September 23 for Owners Night and an “Uncorked” match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
OCSC Keys to the Match:
For Orange County SC the key is to Build on the last two weeks. The Oakland and Sacramento draws stopped the slide. Saturday is about turning chance creation into a win at home. When Hegardt faces forward, Bazini, MacKinnon, and Sylla become finishers. Repeat the set-piece pressure that produced Tubbs’ winner in Vegas. Stay ruthless in the box and do not let Las Vegas linger in a game Orange County has already shown it can control.
OCSC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 10-11-9 (7th)
Goals Scored: 44 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 8
Orange County SC is 12-6-5 all-time against Las Vegas Lights FC (Last 5 against LV – 2-1-2)
Players to Watch:
M Chris Hegardt
M Stephen Kelly
Previous Matchup: 2025 USL Championship
Orange County SC 3-2 Las Vegas Lights FC– USL Championship Match (June 20, 2026, Las Vegas NV))
Scoring Summary: 38’ Oalex Anderson – Assist Christian Pinzon (LV), 45’ Lyam MacKinnon – Assist Stephen Kelly (OC), 55’ Yaniv Bazini (OC), 66’ Johnny Rodriguez – Assist Benjamin Mines (LV), 76’ Garrison Tubbs (OC)
Las Vegas Lights FC Keys to the Match:
For Las Vegas, Johnny Rodriguez and Oalex Anderson will need to be involved in the game early. Both scored in the June meeting and remain the Lights’ clearest path to an upset. Kyle Scott has to break up Orange County’s midfield rhythm and keep Hegardt from dictating. Protect the box on corners and second balls. Tubbs, Benalcázar, and MacKinnon have already punished Las Vegas this season. Steal a result on the road and the playoff math changes. Drop points again and the gap to the pack above grows.
Las Vegas Lights FC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 6-15-9 (12th)
Goals Scored: 22 | Goals Allowed: 50 I Clean Sheets: 11
Players to Watch:
F Johnny Rodriguez
M Kyle Scott