2024 Orange County SC season
| 2024 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | James Keston | |||
| Manager | Morten Karlsen (until June 25) Paul Hardyman (Interim, June 25 - July 19) (Head, July 19 - August 29) Danny Stone (Interim, from August 29) | |||
| Stadium | Championship Soccer Stadium Irvine, California | |||
| USL Championship | Western Conference: 6th | |||
| USL Championship Playoffs | Conference Semifinals | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | |||
| Top goalscorer | Ethan Zubak (11 goals) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 5,500 (September 14, against Rhode Island FC) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | League: 3,018 (September 25, against Phoenix Rising FC) All Competitions: 1,749 (May 7, against Loudoun United FC) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 4,138 | |||
|
| ||||
The 2024 Orange County SC season was the club's fourteenth season of existence, and their fourteenth consecutive season in the United Soccer League Championship, the second tier of American soccer.
Orange County experienced multiple coaching changes in the middle of the season, with head coach Morten Karlsen transferring to coach in Denmark, and lead assistant coach Paul Hardyman being promoted to Head Coach,[1] before he was fired and another assistant coach, Danny Stone, being named Interim Head Coach.
Season summary
During the offseason, Orange County experienced two major changes. In the January transfer window, the 2022 and 2023 Orange County season leading goal scorer, Milan Iloski, brother of Brian Iloski, made a transfer to Danish Superliga team FC Nordsjælland.[2][3] Additionally, interim head coach Morten Karlsen signed a multi-year contract with Orange County during the offseason to become the official head coach of Orange County.[4]
In their season opener, Orange County drew 2–2 with the Sacramento Republic FC away in Sacramento,[5] with Colin Shutler scoring a header during a corner kick three minutes into stoppage time. With his header, Shutler became the first Orange County, and only the third ever USL Championship goalkeeper, to score in a match.[6][7]
Orange County had a hot start to the season, not losing their first six games. However, after losing six of the next nine games, Orange County held a 6-6-2 record in the Western Conference in late June,[8] resulting in Head Coach Karlsen making a transfer to Danish Superliga team Lyngby BK, with head assistant coach Paul Hardyman being promoted to interim head coach,[9][10][11] until he was eventually promoted to being the official head coach of the team on July 19.[12]
As the season progressed, Orange County lost form, not scoring in a five-match period beginning in late July, the longest streak in franchise history.[13] This streak of four losses and one draw culminated in the worst loss in franchise history, an August 24 match against the Charleston Battery, where the club would lose 6–0, prompting an open letter apology to fans from owner James Keston[14] and the sacking of head coach Hardyman, who ultimately had a record of 2-1-7. He was replaced by first assistant coach Danny Stone, who formerly coached Phoenix Rising FC and OKC Energy FC, who was named interim until the end of the season.[15][16]
Heading into September, Orange County SC continued its downwards spiral, despite breaking its non-scoring streak in a 2–3 loss to Las Vegas Lights FC, leaving them in 9th place and out of playoff contention.[17] The winless streak of five losses and one draw ended in a mid-September match against Rhode Island FC in a 1–0 win, in a match where Colin Shutler became the team's all-time leader in saves.[18]
With the momentum from their first win in five matches, Orange County ended off the season on an eight game unbeaten streak, including an undefeated October, ending off the season with a final record of 13–14–7. Colin Shutler entered the record books again, setting a club record of twelve clean sheets in a season, surpassing former record-holder Patrick Rakovsky.[19]
After their unbeaten run of five wins and three draws, Orange County placed sixth in the Western Conference, scheduled to play against Memphis 901 FC away on November 2 for the Western Conference Quarterfinals.[20] After winning in added extra time due to a header from Dillon Powers in the 116th minute,[21] Orange County was matched up against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on November 10 away for the Conference Semi-Finals,[22] where the team would ultimately lose in added extra time.[23]
Roster
- As of July 20, 2024[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
- ^ USL Academy Contract
Technical staff
| Role[25] | Name |
|---|---|
| President of Soccer Operations & General Manager | Peter Nugent |
| Interim Head Coach | Danny Stone |
| Assistant Coach | Didier Crettenand |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Victor Nogueira |
| Performance Data Analyst | Amanda Preciado |
| Performance Consultant | Dan Guzman |
| Head Academy Scout | Shawn Beyer |
| Team Operations Coordinator | Mario Lemus |
Competitions
Exhibitions
In preparation for the 2024 USL Championship season, Orange County played in seven pre-season friendlies, mainly against collegiate and fellow USL Championship teams.[26]
| February 3 Preseason | Orange County SC | 2–1 | Loyola Marymount Lions | Irvine, California |
| 11:00 AM | War Zubak |
Report | Stadium: Great Park Field 10 Attendance: 0 |
| February 10 Preseason | Orange County SC | 0–1 | UC Irvine Anteaters | Irvine, California |
| 10:00 AM | Report | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| Preseason | Orange County SC | 0–1 | Los Angeles FC 2 | Irvine, California |
| Report | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| February 21 Preseason | Orange County SC | 0–0 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Coachella Valley, California |
| 1:00 PM | Report |
| February 24 Preseason | Phoenix Rising FC | v | Orange County SC | |
| 1:00 PM | ||||
| Note: Results not posted | ||||
| March 2 Preseason | Orange County SC | v | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, California |
| 1:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium | |||
| Note: Results not posted | ||||
| March 2 Preseason | Orange County SC | v | San Diego Toreros | Irvine, California |
| 4:30 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium | |||
| Note: Results not posted | ||||
USL Championship
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 49 | 46 | +3 | 50 | Playoffs |
| 5 | Sacramento Republic FC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 49 | |
| 6 | Orange County SC | 34 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 38 | 45 | −7 | 46 | |
| 7 | Oakland Roots SC | 34 | 13 | 16 | 5 | 37 | 57 | −20 | 44 | |
| 8 | Phoenix Rising FC | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 33 | 39 | −6 | 42 |
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Match results
On December 18, 2023, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[27]
All times are in Pacific Standard Time.
March
| March 9 1 | Sacramento Republic FC | 2–2 | Orange County SC | Sacramento, California |
| 7:00 PM | Amann Jauregui Mazzola Ricketts |
Report | Partida Casiple Djeffal Shutler |
Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 11,569 Referee: Alexis Da Silva |
| Note: Colin Shutler's header was the first goal by a goalkeeper in Orange County SC's history. | ||||
| March 16 2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 0–2 | Orange County SC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 4:00 PM | Hogan Biasi |
Report | Iloski Miles Doghman Amang Dunbar Shutler |
Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 5,125 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| March 23 3 | Orange County SC | 2–2 | Miami FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Partida Miles Amang |
Report | Mitrano Gavilanes Genzano Botta Biek |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
| March 30 4 | Orange County SC | 1–0 | FC Tulsa | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Djeffal Chattha Lambe Iloski |
Report | Portillo Diallo Ponce Seagrist |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,573 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
April
| April 6 5 | Memphis 901 FC | 0–2 | Orange County SC | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 1:00 PM | Lopes |
Report | Iloski Amang Djeffal Partida Fox |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 2,316 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| April 13 6 | San Antonio FC | 0–0 | Orange County SC | San Antonio, Texas |
| 5:30 PM | Taintor Haakenson |
Report | Sorto Miles Amang Partida |
Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 6,957 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| April 20 7 | Orange County SC | 0–2 | Sacramento Republic FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Dunbar Amang Scott |
Report | Amann Fernandes Sanchez Desmond Cicerone Timmer Ross |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,200 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| April 27 8 | Orange County SC | 2–0 | Monterey Bay FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Amang Scott Sorto Djeffal Shutler Zubak |
Report | Lara Rebollar |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,588 Referee: Deshun Beard |
May
| May 11 9 | Louisville City FC | 3–0 | Orange County SC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 4:30 PM | Harris Morris Serrano Wilson |
Report | Iloski Scott Colin Shutler |
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 10,239 |
| May 18 10 | Oakland Roots SC | 2–1 | Orange County SC | Hayward, California |
| 7:00 PM | Reid Margvelashvili |
Report | Amang Scott Zubak Lee |
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium Attendance: 3,651 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
| May 25 11 | Orange County SC | 0–2 | Loudoun United FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Chattha Scott Miles |
Report | Valot Erlandson Skundrich Ryan |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,342 Referee: Natalie Simon |
June
| June 1 12 | Orange County SC | 3–2 | Detroit City FC | Irvine California |
| 7:00 PM | Amang Scott Fox Jamison |
Report | Carroll Amoo-Mensah Diop Rutz |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,537 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
| June 8 13 | Phoenix Rising FC | 2–1 | Orange County SC | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 8:00 PM | Formella Hernández Fuenmayor Rito |
Report | Miles Zubak Lambe Chattha |
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,032 Referee: Ricardo Montero |
| June 15 14 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 4–2 | Orange County SC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 6:00 PM | Hanya Williams Foster Damus |
Report | Flood Jamison Doghman Shutler |
Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 8,023 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| June 22 15 | Indy Eleven | 0–1 | Orange County SC | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 4:00 PM | Ofeimu Williams |
Report | Zubak Sorto Chattha |
Stadium: Michael A. Carroll Stadium Attendance: 9,490 Referee: Joe Surgan |
| June 29 16 | Orange County SC | 0–2 | Oakland Roots SC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Chattha Shutler Scott Amang |
Report | Riley Njie Rodriguez Dwyer |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Elton García |
July
| July 3 17 | New Mexico United | 2–0 | Orange County SC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 6:00 PM | Miles Mohamed Bruce |
Report | Chattha Miles Chavez Jamison |
Stadium: Isotopes Park Attendance: 12,147 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| July 6 18 | Orange County SC | 4–1 | Memphis 901 FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Jamison Zubak Lambe Chattha Miles Sorto |
Report | Hyndman Ward Vom Steeg Borczak Pickering Yacoubou |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,725 Referee: John Griggs |
| July 13 19 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2–0 | Orange County SC | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| 4:30 PM | Jennings Crisostomo Kleemann |
Report | Norris |
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,971 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| July 20 20 | Orange County SC | 2–0 | San Antonio FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Scott Nakkim Gomez Lambe |
Report | Hernandez Buckmaster |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,258 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| July 27 21 | Birmingham Legion FC | 3–0 | Orange County SC | Birmingham, Alabama |
| 4:30 PM | Pinho Martínez Pasher |
Report | Flood Nakkim Scott Lambe |
Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 4,023 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
August
| August 3 22 | Orange County SC | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Sorto |
Report | Batista Malou Servania |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,353 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
| August 9 23 | FC Tulsa | 0–0 | Orange County SC | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 5:30 PM | Laszo Damm Bourgeois |
Report | Norris |
Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 4,411 Referee: Calin Radosav |
| August 17 24 | Orange County SC | 0–1 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Norris Hegardt Jamison Scott |
Report | Calvillo Lyons Moreno |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,001 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| August 24 25 | Charleston Battery | 6–0 | Orange County SC | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |
| 4:30 PM | Markanich Rodríguez Segbers Myers |
Report | Doghman Casiple |
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 4,302 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| August 31 26 | Orange County SC | 2–3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Scott Zubak Powers Norris |
Report | Bennett Shutler Gyau |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,579 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
September
| September 14 27 | Orange County SC | 1-0 | Rhode Island FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| September 21 28 | Monterey Bay FC | 0-0 | Orange County SC | Seaside, California |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Partida |
Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 3,912 Referee: Elton García |
| September 25 29 | Orange County SC | 2-0 | Phoenix Rising FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,018 Referee: John Griggs |
October
| October 5 30 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1-1 | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett |
Report | Hegardt Chattha Partida Nakkim |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,828 Referee: Gerald Flores |
| October 9 31 | Orange County SC | 2-0 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Partida Williams Zubak |
Report | Dhillon Rocha Tejada Pierre Santos |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,130 Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
| October 16 32 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 0-2 | Orange County SC | El Paso, Texas |
| 6:00 PM | Escoto Ackwei |
Report | Zubak Chattha Dunbar Partida |
Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 6,004 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| October 19 33 | Orange County SC | 0-0 | New Mexico United | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Zubak |
Report | Seymore Ryden Dubois Hurst Landry |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,675 Referee: Ricardo Montero |
| October 26 34 | Orange County SC | 3-2 | Hartford Athletic | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Hegardt Doghman Miles Amang |
Report | Vancaeyezeele Ngalina Epps Edwards |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,729 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
Playoffs
Following the conclusion of the 2024 USL Championship season, the USL officially released the bracket for the 2024 playoffs.[28][29]
| November 2 Conference Quarterfinals | Memphis 901 FC | 0-1 (a.e.t.) | Orange County SC | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 11:00 AM | Report | Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 3,014 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
| November 10 Conference Semifinals | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Orange County SC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 3:30 PM |
|
Report | Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 7,236 Referee: Lorenzo Hernandez |
U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL Championship, Orange County entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32.[30] It was announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation on April 18, 2024, that Orange County would face off against fellow USL Championship team Loudoun United FC at home.[31]
| May 7 Round of 32 | Orange County SC | 1–2 | Loudoun United FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Nakkim Scott Chattha Amang |
Report | Leggett Martinez Turner Hughes |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 1,749 Referee: Omeed Azadpour |
References
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (June 25, 2024). "Orange County SC announces departure of Head Coach Morten Karlsen to Danish SuperLiga club Lyngby Boldklub". USL Championship. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ Burke, Elias. "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski moves to Nordsjaelland, continuing trend in USL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski headed to Europe after USL season". Orange County Register. September 13, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "Orange County SC removes interim label for coach Morten Karlsen". Orange County Register. November 10, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Sac Republic FC draws with Orange County in season opener, 2-2". FOX40. March 10, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ Macht, Daniel (March 10, 2024). "Sacramento Republic FC's 2024 season opener ends with 2-2 shocker". KCRA. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC DRAWS 2-2 WITH SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC IN OPENING MATCH OF 2024". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "Indy Eleven vs Orange County SC - Final Score - Standings - June 22, 2024". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "Orange County Soccer Club coach Morten Karlsen departs for new job in Denmark". Orange County Register. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "Morten Karlsen er Lyngbys nye cheftræner - Lyngby Boldklub". lyngby-boldklub.dk (in Danish). June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC AND LYNGBY BK AGREE TO TERMS AS HEAD COACH MORTEN KARLSEN HEADS TO DENMARK". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC NAMES PAUL HARDYMAN HEAD COACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON". Orange County SC. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Allen, Dylan (August 25, 2024). "POST-MATCH REVIEW: A RECORD LOSS". Orange & Black SoccerCast. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ Keston, James (August 26, 2024). "OPEN LETTER FROM THE OWNER". Orange County SC. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC PARTS WAYS WITH HEAD COACH PAUL HARDYMAN". Orange County SC. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ USL Championship Staff (August 30, 2024). "Orange County SC appoints Danny Stone interim Head Coach for remainder of season". USL Championship. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Orange County SC Communications (August 31, 2024). "ORANGE COUNTY SC FALLS 3-2 IN HEARTBREAK FASHION TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC". Orange County SC. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC EARNS HARD FOUGHT 1-0 WIN BEHIND SHUTOUT SHUTLER". Orange County SC. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC CLINCHES A PLAYOFF SPOT IN DRAW AT HOME WITH NEW MEXICO". Orange County SC. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ "DOGHMAN'S BRACE, AMANG'S WINNER PROPELL OCSC INTO 6TH PLACE IN 3-2 OVER HARTFORD". Orange County SC. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Varlas, John (November 2, 2024). "Late Orange County goal ends 901 FC's season in frustrating fashion". Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Hugh (November 2, 2024). "Jairo Henriquez comes up big again for Colorado Springs Switchbacks in playoffs; club advances to conference semifinals". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Nicholas (November 10, 2024). "Zach Zandi lifts Switchbacks to extra time victory against Orange County". USL Championship. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Preseason Central". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (December 18, 2023). "USL Championship Unveils 2024 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ USL Championship Staff (October 27, 2024). "Field for 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix Set". USL Championship. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (October 27, 2024). "THE FIELD IS SET: For USL Championship Playoffs". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Rueter, Jeff. "U.S. Open Cup draw: NYCFC II is only MLS Next Pro team in last 32". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (June 25, 2024). "Orange County SC announces departure of Head Coach Morten Karlsen to Danish SuperLiga club Lyngby Boldklub". USL Championship. Retrieved June 25, 2024.