For the first time this season, Republic FC faces off with defending 2021 Champion Orange County SC. The contest kicks off a tough stretch of three games in seven days for the Indomitable Club, one they’ll start on the road in Irvine this Saturday night.
Last Week’s Drama
Orange County SC comes off a tough result in league play. Saturday, they fell to a strong San Antonio side at home and failed to find the back of the net for the first time this season. The club was unlucky in the first half, as excellent goalkeeping from the visitors Jordan Farr neutralized a bevy of chances that resulted in 11 shots. The second half was a different story, however, as they mustered just one attempt on target before a last-ditch effort to equalize in stoppage time was also deflected away Farr.
Through the First Month
Despite posting just one win in league play this season, Orange County (1-2-1, 4 points) has performed well even if it hasn’t shown up in the table. They’ve been dangerous in crucial moments late – salvaging a draw in stoppage time against New Mexico on March 26, and netting a game winner late in added time against Rio Grande Valley FC in week two.
On the stat sheet, Orange County has been led on the attacking end by Milan Illoski, who’s netted two scores and as of Monday sat as the Western Conference leader in shots. The forward’s opportunities have mainly come courtesy of Mikko Kuningas, who leads the club with seven chances created, and Seth Casiple, who took home Team of the Week honors following the club’s Week 2 victory over Rio Grande Valley.
Head to Head
Only LA Galaxy II has lined up opposite Republic FC more often in its history than Orange County, who through 22 matches has beaten Sacramento nine times. On the road, wins have been hard to come by, with Sacramento compiling a record of three wins, three losses, and four draws.
The two clubs faced off on four occasions last season, with the SoCal club taking three points three times. Their last meeting ended in a draw after Nabi Kibunguchy netted a stoppage time equalizer in the second match of the club’s seven-game unbeaten streak between July 14 and August 21.
