July 16, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC played to a 0-0 draw with The Miami FC on Saturday, July 16 at Championship Soccer Stadium. OCSC’s winless streak was extended to four matches with this result.
With Miami starting four forwards in attack, OCSC’s primary focus in the first half was containing the visitor’s front line. The OCSC defense anchored by the return of defensive midfielder Dillon Powers suffocated the Miami attack in the first half, allowing no shots on target and leading the side to 65% possession in the first half.
Milan Iloski, recently announced as an USL Championship Mid-Season MVP nominee, had the best chance for OCSC in the first half. His backheel attempt from Mikko Kuningas’s corner kick was saved by Miami’s Jake McGuire in the 30th minute.
Much of the second half looked promising for OCSC to finally break the deadlock. With the addition of Ivan Gutierrez who worked in tandem with Ian Hoffmann near the touch line, the OCSC offense had movement going forward towards the box. Ultimately, none of the chances were converted into goals.
Iloski had the best chance in the 88th minute, but his effort from just outside the box ended up just wide of the left post.
Goalkeeper Colin Shutler bounced back from his previous outing with a clean sheet-the first in his USL Championship career. With his effort, OCSC clinched just their second clean sheet of the season.
OCSC has two derbies to look ahead to in their next two matches. The first, a trip up the 405 to take on LA Galaxy II, Los Dos, at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, July 23. That is followed by hosting the San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday, July 30 as a part of the “Dollar Beers and Cheap Eats” series. Tickets can be purchased here.
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Today marked the first match in the Orange and Black for Dillon Powers since the USL Championship Final vs. Tampa Bay on November 28.
Today marked the first action for Brent Richards since being subbed off in the Las Vegas match due to injury
Today was Ugo Okoli’s 99th appearance in the USL Championship
TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME
MIA 0 0 0
OCSC 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
None
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
20′ Dillon Powers
48′ Ian Hoffmann
THE MIAMI FC
53′ Mark Segbers
86′ Devon Williams
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ian Hoffmann, Albi Skendi, Michael Orozco (C), Alex Villanueva (Seth Casiple 74′); Dillon Powers (Ivan Gutierrez 46′), Daniel A. Pedersen,…