September 11, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC earned their third shutout of the season and forward Milan Iloski tied the single-season goal scoring record in a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy reserves on Saturday, September 10 at our home, Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA.
OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky got some help from midfielder Daniel A. Pedersen in the 12th minute. Rakovsky got in front of a Michael Salazar shot, but could not stop it completely. Alert to the danger, Pedersen then kept the ball from crossing the goal line and kept the visitors off the board.
Rakovsky made his second save of the night, with a point blank save on Los Angeles forward Preston Judd in the 21st minute.
Iloski had the best chance for Orange County in the first half in the 25th minute. After some strong link up play from midfielder Kyle Scott and forward Erick “Cubo” Torres, Scott played a ball over the top for Iloski who struck it on the volley with his left but saw it saved by Los Angeles goalkeeper Richard Sanchez.
When the teams returned from half time, the 405 Derby turned into one way traffic, as OCSC looked dangerous and attacked early and often.
Scott had a shot on goal turned away by Sanchez in the 55th minute. Just two minutes later, Sanchez made another stop, this time on defender Alex Villanueva, after a nice give and go with Iloski.
OCSC capitalized on their sustained pressure in the 68th minute. Second half substitute Sean “Ugo” Okoli received a pass from Villanueva, and after out-muscling the Los Angeles defender, unleashed a shot from 25 yards that was saved by Sanchez, and the rebound was volleyed home by Iloski for his league-leading and club record tying 20th goal of the season, and OCSC led 1-0.
After taking the lead through Iloski, it was Rakovsky that kept them there in the 72nd minute. Los Angeles midfielder Taylor Davila played Salazar in behind the Orange County defense, but Rakovsky parried his shot over the crossbar for his third save of the night.
After the Los Angeles reserves received two red cards in two minutes, a second yellow to forward Preston Judd in the 74th minute and a straight red to midfielder Carlos Harvey in the 75th minute, OCSC was able to comfortably see out the remainder of the match.
Orange County SC will return to action on Sunday, September 18 when they travel to the State Capital to take on Sacramento Republic F.C. Their final home game of the…