Orange County SC Falls in USL Home Opener
Orange County SC lost its regular season home opener on Saturday versus Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
3,023 supporters were in attendance as OCSC kicks off another year of professional soccer in Orange County. After a deep playoff run last season, OCSC has put together a squad that could push the club that extra step into the 2019 USL Championship.
USL Soccer News: Tulsa Roughnecks FC recorded its first win of the 2019 United Soccer League (USL) season with a 5-3 victory over Orange County SC.
Although Orange County SC dominated the first have and played well in the match, the Roughnecks claimed its first three points on Saturday night at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California.
The Orange and Black could not convert their opportunities and Tulsa was unrelenting in their attack, pouncing on every Orange County mistake.
The match was highlighted with errors from both ends.
Orange County SC head coach Braeden Cloutier was critical of his squad after the match for the lack of mental focus and sharpness during the match.
“After that defeat, it’s really hard to find any bright spots,” said Cloutier.
“In the first half, we had possession and created opportunities,” said Cloutier. “We looked like a strong side, but in a game like this, if you make mistakes and you’re not strong mentally — you end up giving away goals and losing games like that.”
Cloutier’s players are dedicated and the club’s motto is Ruthless and Relentless.
It is only the beginning of the long USL season, and it is most important a team peaks at the right moment to reach their goal of the USL Championship.
USL Match Recap:
The hosts scored the opening goal of the match in the 13th minute with Kevin Alston on the scoring end. Alston crashed the near post and got a touch on a deflected cross in order for the ball to be lifted over the goalkeeper to the back post.
Fan favorite Aodhan Quinn gave Orange County the two-goal advantage one minute into stoppage time from the penalty spot.
Giovanni Ramos-Godoy was taken down in the penalty area by Tulsa defender Moses Makinde.
Two minutes later, Tulsa was awarded a penalty after OCSC defender Walker Hume was penalized for a handball in the penalty box.
Cristhian Altamirano calmly stepped up to the ball and finished high with authority. The half concluded with Orange County holding a 2-1 advantage.
Janú Silva brought the match level following a blocked clearance by OCSC goalkeeper Carlos López that was deflected back into the penalty area. Silva used his speed to blow past two Orange County defenders for the finish.
Orange County almost found the back of the net in the 70th minute when a header from Darwin Jones hit the crossbar.
Tulsa defender Luca Lobo recorded a brace in a four-minute span to give the visitors a 4-2 lead. Lobo’s two headers came in the 74th and 78th minute of the match.
Fabián Bastidas extended Tulsa’s lead with ten minutes remaining of regulation. Rodrigo da Costa headed the ball over the pressing defensive line to Bastidas who calmly finished a one-v-one opportunity with López.
Ramos-Godoy provided OCSC fans with a moment to celebrate in the third minute of stoppage time. Ramos-Godoy collected the ball at the top of the 18-yard box from Connor Gordon, took one touch and fired a shot into the top corner.
The match concluded 5-3 with Tulsa recording its first win of the season. OCSC recorded a tie during its first matchup of the season last week.
Orange County SC prepares to host New Mexico United on Saturday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased here.
