July 20, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC Press Release

Orange County SC earned a huge comeback 2-0 victory over San Antonio FC on Saturday, July 20 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA. The County Boys saw goals from captain Markus Nakkim and defender Owen Lambe in the victory, as well as a shutout from goalkeeper Tómas Gómez in his OCSC debut.

The Black and Orange had their first chance of the night in the third minute when striker Ryan Flood received the ball on the left side of the penalty area. He fired a left-footed shot that was saved by San Antonio goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.

San Antonio had a chance in the 19th minute when defender Nelson Flores sent a corner to forward Jake LaCava. LaCava headed the ball toward goal, but missed just wide of the right.

SAFC threatened again in the 31st minute when they were awarded another corner. Midfielder Jorge Hernández sent the ensuing corner to captain Mitchell Taintor. Taintor headed the ball wide but missed to his right.

County Boys came dangerously close in the 33rd minute when Flood found striker Bryce Jamison in the centre of the penalty area. Jamison headed the ball in but McIntosh just got his fingertip to tap the ball over the bar and out of play.

San Antonio FC got the ball in the attacking third of the pitch in the 42nd minute when Hernández passed the ball to striker Burá in the centre of the penalty area. Burá headed the ball towards goal, but just missed to the right.

The visitors had another chance in the final minute of first-half injury time when the ball found midfielder Luke Haakenson in the middle of the penalty area. Haakenson’s left-footed shot into the middle of the goal was saved by Gómez to keep the score level heading into half-time.

County Boys had the first chance of the second half in the 54th minute when substitute midfielder Chris Hegardt, making his debut for OCSC, was awarded a free kick in the attacking half of the pitch. Defender Andrew Fox sent in the ensuing free kick and found captain Markus Nakkim in the penalty area. Nakkim’s header went just wide of the target.

The Black and Orange finally broke through in the 62nd minute when Lambe sent a free kick down the right, where Jamison tapped a ball into the centre of the box, with the captain coming out the other end to put his team ahead 1-0. It was Nakkim’s first goal of the season, and also Jamison’s first assist of 2024.

SAFC attempted to counter in the 77th minute when defender Shannon Gomez found midfielder Kevon Lambert in the middle of the penalty area. Lambert fired a shot with his right foot, but Gomez made a clean sweep, his third save of the night.

The County Boys attempted to add a second goal to the scoreboard in the 87th minute when midfielder Kyle Scott played a through ball to Flood. Flood unleashed a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, which was saved by McIntosh.

Orange County SC decided the game in the 88th minute when the ball found defender Owen Lambe on the right side of the field. Lambe played striker Ethan Zubak just outside the center of the box, who passed the ball back to Lambe past the defense. Lambe sent the ball past the keeper and into the bottom left corner of the net, giving OCSC the decisive goal and a 2-0 lead.

The defense held off a couple of late rallies from San Antonio in injury time, allowing the County Boys to win 2-0. Gómez kept a clean sheet on his debut for OCSC.

The Black and Orange will be on the road next weekend, but will return to The Champ on Saturday, August 3rd, as they host USL Championship newcomers North Carolina FC for Get Fit Night! Limited tickets are still available, grab yours today!

MILESTONE AND FACTS:

Midfielder Chris Hegardt made his debut for OCSC tonight.

Goalkeeper Tomás Gómez kept a clean sheet for the first time on his debut for OCSC.

Captain Markus Nakkim scored his first goal of the season.

Defender Owen Lambe scored his second goal of the season.

TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF END TIME

SAFC-0 0 0

OCSC-0 2 2

SCORING SUMMARY:

63′ Markus Nakkim (OCSC)

88′ Owen Lambe (OCSC)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:

ORANGE COUNTY SC

29′ Kyle Scott

66′ Tomás Gómez

SAN ANTONIO-FC

44′ Jorge Hernández

52′ Buckmaster Reception

ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:

Tómas Gómez (GK); Andrew Fox, Markus Nakkim (C) (Ashton Miles 68′), Jordan Chavez, Owen Lambe; Dillon Powers (Chris Hegardt 45′), Kyle Scott (Cameron Dunbar 90+2′), Ashish Chattha; Ryan Flood, Ethan Zubak, Bryce Jamison (Christian Sorto 85′)

Unused subtitles: Adoniayah Aemiro (GK); Ryan Ayoub, Nico Ruiz

Head Coach: Paul Hardyman

Ball Possession: 43% | Shots: 12 | Shots on Target: 5 | Corner Kicks: 4 | Fouls: 8 | Offside: 0 |

SAN ANTONIO FC LINEUP:

Kendall MIntosh (GK); Mitchell Taintor (C), Kendall Burks, Burá (Trova Boni 81′), Nelson Blanco Flores; Kevon Lambert, Jorge Hernández, Luke Haakenson (Machop Chol 74′), Rece Buckmaster (Shannon Gomez 59′); Juan Agudelo (Hugo Mbongue 82′), Jake LaCava (Luis Solignac 74′)

Unused substitutes: Brandon Gongora (GK); Carter Manley

Head Coach: Alen Marcina

Ball Possession: 57% | Shots: 16 | Shots on Target: 4 | Corner Kicks: 8 | Fouls: 15 | Offside: 2 |

Orange County SC vs San Antonio FC

2024 USL Championship | Matchday 20

Date: July 20, 2024

Location: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)

Weather: All their W’s still live in Texas

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