OCSC Defeats Colorado Switchbacks at Home
Orange County SC claimed three points versus Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night in Irvine, California. OCSC entered the match seeking to regain its footing in the 2019 USL Championship season. Prior to the Saturday night victory, Orange County opened the season with two losses and two draws.
USL Soccer News: Orange County SC recorded its first three points of the 2019 United Soccer League (USL) Championship season on Saturday night versus Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
OCSC was led by Darwin Jones who recorded a brace in the 2-0 victory at Championship Soccer Stadium. Orange County sits three places behind playoff contention with a total of five points in the club’s opening five 2019 fixtures.
“We got ahead of ourselves a little bit,” said Braeden Cloutier, OCSC head coach. “We’ve given away too many easy goals. Tonight was about keeping it sharp.”
The opening goal of the match came three minutes before halftime. A free kick to the back post from Jerry van Ewijk found Liam Trotter who headed the ball back across the six-yard box. Jones beat his defenders into the air and headed the ball past Colorado goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez.
The forward doubled the lead for the hosts in the 57th minute with a right-footed strike from the top of the penalty area. The shot took a deflection and bounced into the back of the net.
Thirteen minutes later, Michael Seaton almost extended the lead for Orange County when he intercepted a poor backpass to the goalkeeper by Colorado. Rodriguez was able to deny Seaton’s heavy shot from inside the penalty area.
Kwasi Donsu had a pair of chances to put the Switchbacks on the scoreboard. In the 72nd minute, Donsu received a chipped ball in the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by OCSC goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes.
Donsu’s second opportunity came with less than three minutes of regulation. The 23-year-old took a long first touch into the penalty area and hit a strike wide of the far post.
Orange County closed out the match and recorded a 2-0 victory in front of 1,726 supporters. Jones provided heroics for the home club, while Cloutier praised the forward for his work ethic during training.
“I’m really pleased with Darwin Jones,” said Cloutier. “He’s been working tremendously hard in practice.”
OCSC jump-started its motor to grind out a much-needed victory in Irvine.
“We changed our fight,” said Seaton. “Today we gave it all. I don’t think we brought the fight a few games before.”
Orange County SC will host Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday, April 10, at Championship Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets can be purchased here.
