June 5, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC dropped a 2-1 decision to New Mexico United during their Pride Night celebration at Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday, June 4. It marks the second time in the last week that they lost a match to a club for the first time in their history.
After an encouraging start for Richard Chaplow’s side, defender Albi Skendi was whistled for a foul in the box on Neco Brett in the 16th minute.
Tommy McCabe was shown a yellow for his plea against the penalty, and Justin Portillo beat Patrick Rakovsky low and to his right to open the scoring.
OCSC looked eager to rebound and answer with a goal of their own, as captain Michael Orozco forced a save out of New Mexico goalkeeper Alex Tambakis with a volley just inside the box off the outside of his boot.
Chris Wehan put the visitors ahead by a pair in the 32nd minute, off an assist from Neco Brett. It was the first time Wehan returned to Orange County after donning the orange jersey for half of the 2021 season.
Sean “Ugo” Okoli was brought on for Hunter Gorskie in the 37th minute in an attacking move to chase the game, and momentum began to shift.
Brent Richards and Daniel Pedersen each saw their efforts on target turned away at the end of the half, but OCSC were looking primed to get a goal back.
Tambakis again kept Orange County off the board to begin the second half, this time sending a powerful left-footed shot from Okoli over the bar in the 50th minute.
Orozco once again found himself with a chance inside the box in the 63rd minute, but his chance was thwarted by the United keeper.
The captain was everywhere on the pitch tonight. He was heavily involved in the attacking build up and made a potential-goal saving tackle in the 88th minute to keep his side alive.
On a night where Chaplow felt his side lacked energy and intensity in the first half, he relied on his captain to set an example.
“He performed like a leader,”…
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