Orange County SC conclude their third road match in fourteen days with a trip to Colorado Springs where they take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, September 30th. The trip comes after a hard fought 0-0 draw on the road at league leaders, Real Monarchs SLC on the 22nd.
A phenomenal performance by Orange County SC’s goalkeeper Charlie Lyon, kept the team’s playoffs hopes alive. Recording eight saves in one match, Lyon was tested within the first ten minutes when he denied Monarchs’ Sebastian Velasquez in quick succession, first with a spectacular save low down to his right then next a finger-tip save in the top corner. With just five minutes to go, Carlos Alvarez almost brought home the victory for Orange County SC off of a pass from Frank Olijve as he curled a shot toward the goal but it was deflected at the last second by defender Max Lachowecki sending it over the bar.
As Orange County SC heads to Colorado Springs, they will look to get off to a fast start applying pressure to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC early in the match. The last time these two teams met, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC came out on top, 4-0 thanks to stunning long-distance strikes by Shane Malcolm and Luke Vercollone. The most prominent shot of the night came off the head of Wuilito Fernandes who headed powerfully at the far post but was denied by Moise Pouaty in the Switchbacks FC goal. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are on a three-game skid and have only two games remaining in their regular season. Orange County SC will need to be clinical in the final third of the match as chances will be few and far between as the game will have the feeling of a playoff atmosphere and both teams will be fighting for their spot in the standings.
Orange County SC head back home to Orange County Great Park’s Championship Soccer Stadium on October 4th vs. Sacramento Republic FC. The team will host its first Fan Appreciation day on Saturday October 7th vs. Reno 1868 FC where the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an Orange County SC Rally Towel!
About Orange County Soccer Club:
The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team. The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season. The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County. Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.
Contact: Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://www.orangecountysoccer.com, 805.844.0856