Kickoff: Saturday, October 3, 2026 (7:00 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 with fresh belief after a result that changed the week. Sitting fifth in the Western Conference, OCSC climbed the table on the back of a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, when substitute Yaniv Bazini scored in the 90th minute and a clean sheet delivered three points that felt like a reset. The group looked strong and energetic in Dekel Keinan’s first result as interim head coach, and that bounce is real, even as the work in front of them remains heavy. The West is still crowded from third through eighth, and every home night now carries playoff weight.
Resilience has been the story of this stretch. Orange County absorbed a difficult September, including a heavy loss in Lexington and a home defeat to Las Vegas, then answered with a late winner and a shutout. Players continue to return from injury, and the squad looks closer to full strength than it has in weeks. That depth showed against Pittsburgh, where Bazini finished the chance, the back line held, and the bench changed the game. Saturday is about carrying that energy into another California matchup instead of treating last week as a one-off.
Monterey Bay FC arrives last in the Western Conference at 4-6-16 with 18 points, but this fixture has never been simple. The sides met July 25 in Seaside, and Orange County left with a 2-1 win. Monterey Bay has taken points in Irvine before and still has attacking threats who can punish a slow start, led by Ilijah Paul and veteran midfielder Sebastian Lletget. For OCSC, the history at Championship Soccer Stadium against this opponent includes both convincing home wins and nights that got away. The task is to play with the same purpose that produced the Pittsburgh winner and not let a team fighting for pride linger.
What to expect is a home match Orange County should control if it stays on the front foot. Monterey Bay will try to keep it tight and steal something on the counter, while OCSC has the crowd, the recent result, and a healthier roster. Finish the chances earlier than the 90th minute, keep last week’s clean-sheet standard, and turn the new-coach bounce into a second straight win. Three more points would lock Orange County deeper into the playoff pack and send a clear message that this group is still moving forward.
Orange County SC will play its final regular season home game on October 17th with a special Fan Appreciation Night Beer Fest celebration. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
OCSC Keys to the Match:
For Orange County SC, they will need to start with energy and control the tempo. The late winner against Pittsburgh was earned, but OCSC cannot wait until the last minute to take the shot. OC needs to control midfield and get Bazini, MacKinnon, and Sylla facing goal early. Tom Brewitt and the backline must protect the clean sheet; Monterey Bay will look for one transition moment and the defense will need to prevent the visitors from capitalizing on opportunities. OCSC needs to win the second balls and make Championship Soccer Stadium a hard place to leave with a point.
OCSC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 10-11-9 (7th)
Goals Scored: 44 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 8
Orange County SC is 7-5-2 all-time against Monterey Bay FC (Last 5 against MB 2-2-1)
Players to Watch:
F Yaniv Bazini
GK Alex Rando
Previous Matchup: 2026 USL Championship
Orange County SC 2-1 Monterey Bay FC – USL Championship Match (July 25, 2026, Monterey, CA)
Scoring Summary: 48’ Brewitt (OC), 52’ Gordon (MB-OG), 88” Paul (MB)
Monterey Bay FC Keys to the Match:
For Monterey Bay FC, they will need to stay organized and wait for Orange County to overcommit. Ilijah Paul needs an early touch in the box and Monterey needs to set the tone early they will need to steal a set piece or a counter and force OCSC to chase. They will have to limit Bazini’s space when he comes off the bench. A result in Irvine would be a season-defining night for a side at the bottom of the West.
Monterey Bay Union FC 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Record: 7-15-8 (11th)
Goals Scored: 27 | Goals Allowed: 45 | Clean Sheets: 5
Players to Watch:
F Ilijah Paul
M Omari Glasgow