Orange County SC Beaten 3-1 on the Road in New Mexico

April 30, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release

Orange County SC fell on the wrong side of a 3-1 decision on the road to New Mexico United at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday, April 29.

The Black and Orange had the first chance of the first half in the 6th minute, when defender Ryan Doghman found forward Bryce Jamison in the box with a cross, but Jamison’s header went just wide of goal.

OCSC looked to score the game’s first goal in the 19th minute, when forward Emil Nielsen played Doghman in through and the Norwegian beat New Mexico goalkeeper Alexandros Tambakis, but the goal was disallowed for offsides.

Just two minutes later, the hosts took the lead off a goal scored by midfielder Greg Hurst, assisted by forward Josh Dolling in the 21st minute. There were claims of handball from the Orange County defense, but they were brushed aside and United led 1-0.

In the 29th minute captain Markus Nakkim sprung Nielsen behind the defense with a long ball, but the Danish Bull saw his strike saved by Tambakis.

Coming out of halftime, substitute forward Korede Osundina had the first chance for the visitors in the second half when he was played through on goal in the 55th minute by Nielsen, but Tambakis kept the USYNT forward’s shot out.

Three minutes later, Doghman got OCSC started on the break and then found Nielsen in the box on the left side and Nielsen’s shot was again saved by Tambakis, but it ricocheted off New Mexico defender Josh Suggs’ head, into the back of the net and Orange County was level at 1 in the 58th minute.

Unfortunately, the Black and Orange were not level for long. Five minutes later in the 63rd minute, Hurst found his second of the match to restore the New Mexico lead at 2-1.

New Mexico United extended their lead in the 74th minute when midfielder Sergio Rivas got behind the Orange County defense and made it 3-1 to the hosts, which is how the match ended.

OCSC returns home on Saturday, May 6 for our first Fiesta de Futbol celebration of the year against Southern California rival, the San Diego Loyal. These tickets will sell out and you can grab yours here.

MILESTONES AND FACTS:

This ends a run of three games in seven days for OCSC.

This is the first time in 2023 that OCSC has benefitted from an own goal.

TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME

OCSC 0 1 1

NMU 1 2 3

SCORING SUMMARY:

22′ Greg Hurst (NMU)

58′ Josh Suggs – OWN GOAL (NMU)

63′ Greg Hurst (NMU)

74′ Sergio Rivas…