April 23, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC dropped a 2-1 decision on Saturday, April 22 to the visiting Birmingham Legion FC at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA.
Forward Thomas Amang had the first chance of the evening in the 20th minute, when he made a darting run in behind the Birmingham defense and beat goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg, but he was ruled offside and the tie remained scoreless.
OCSC found their goal in the 30th minute as midfielder Alex Villanueva forced a turnover in the box that fell to defender Ryan Doghman. Doghman then dribbled past one defender and fired a low cross into the middle and forward Emil Nielsen made no mistake. The home side led 1-0.
Unfortunately, that lead did not last long. Just three minutes later, Birmingham forward Juan Agudelo made a run down the left side, cut back to the middle and drew the visitors level in the 33rd minute.
The two teams went into the dressing rooms level, but it was Birmingham Legion who found the go ahead goal in the 59th minute. Defender Collin Smith dribbled past numerous Orange County defenders and kept the ball in play to find midfielder Enzo Martinez, who put the visitors ahead 2-1.
The Black and Orange nearly found the equalizer multiple times in stoppage time, but the best chance came in the 93rd minute when substitute forward Korede Osundina found defender Andrew Fox in the middle of the box, but Spangenberg miraculously kept the ball out at full stretch.
OCSC will head on the road for two matches next week, when they face the Portland Timbers of the MLS in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 PM at Providence Park in Portland, OR. They will then continue on to Albuquerque to face New Mexico United on Saturday, April 29.
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Emil Nielsen scored his second goal of the season tonight.
TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME
BHM 1 1 2
OCSC 1 0 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
30′ Emil Nielsen (OCSC)
33′ Juan Agudelo (BHM)
59′ Enzo Martinez (BHM)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
55′ Kyle Scott
57′ Kevin Partida
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
40′ Phanuel Kavita
53′ Alex Crognale
64′ Enzo Martinez
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Cody Cropper (GK); Andrew Fox, Ryan Doghman, Markus Nakkim (C), Brent Richards; Kevin Partida (Morten Bjorshol 78′), Kyle Scott (Dillon Powers 59′), Alex Villaneuva (Ashish Chattha 65′), Thomas Amang, Milan Iloski (Korede Osundina 78′), Emil Nielsen (Brian Iloski 65′)
Unused subs: Mark Hyan…