August 27, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC fell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-1, at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL on Saturday, August 27.
The hosts controlled the majority of play in the first half, and the OCSC backline was up for the challenge early. Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky made his first save of the night on forward Jake La Cava in the 14th minute.
A minute later, defender Alex Villanueva was taken down by Rowdies defender Laurence Wyke, but no foul was called. The ball ended up at the feet of forward Leo Fernandes who played give-and-go with Wyke and beat Rakovsky far post for the early 1-0 lead.
OCSC’s deficit doubled just before halftime as defender Ian Hoffmann was charged with an own goal after he tapped a shot from Rowdies forward Sebastian Guenzatti that appeared to be going wide.
The Orange and Black’s luck appeared to change in the second half. In the 52nd minute, midfielder Brian Iloski found second half substitute Sean “Ugo” Okoli in behind the Rowdies defense. His shot from in close was saved by goalkeeper CJ Cochran.
OCSC found themselves a man up and a goal back after a second yellow card was shown to Rowdies midfielder Yann Ekra in the 56th minute. On the ensuing free kick, Brian Iloski beat Cochran with a perfectly placed shot in the upper right corner for his first goal of the season.
OCSC nearly found an equalizer in the 78th minute, after an onslaught of chances from several corner kicks. Golden Boot Race leader Milan Iloski had the best chance, but he saw his shot saved point blank by the Rowdies keeper.
Rowdies forward Dayon Harris put the game to rest with a goal from in close in the 89th minute from a counterattack.
The Orange and Black will return home to Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Saturday, September 3 for a showdown with Memphis 901 FC. Tickets can be purchased here.
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Tonight marks the first regular season meeting between Orange County SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
It is also the first time that Brian and Milan Iloski have started a match for OCSC. It’s their first time starting a match together since November 11, 2017. (UCLA @ San Diego St.)
Brian Iloski scored his first goal of the 2022 USL Championship season.
TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME
OCSC 0 1 1
TBR 2 1 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
15′ Leo Fernandes (TBR)
43′ Ian Hoffmann – OG (TBR)
57′ Brian Iloski (OCSC)
89′ Dayon Harris (TBR)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
7′ Michael…