OC Soccer Club earns a tie with late goal; Liam Trotter and Leonardo make debuts

Leonardo (dark uniform) battles inside the box for the equalizer in the 92nd minute. (Photo courtesy OC Soccer Club, For OC Sports Zone)

Against one of the hottest teams in the league, Orange County Soccer Club fought back to earn a 2-2 tie against New Mexico United and record a point Saturday night at the Championship Stadium at Orange County Great Park.

Darwin Jones records a second half goal to get OCSC back in the game

Seventeen-year-old goalie Aaron Cervantes makes his professional debut for OC Soccer Club.

The OCSC fan section celebrates the game tying goal Saturday night.

The game was frequently a start-stop affair, with neither team able to establish much of a rhythm early on. New Mexico United took full advantage of the early chaos, opening up 2-0 lead off of a pair of defensive errors before the break.

A dangerous New Mexico cross found Santi Moar unmarked and he converted, putting the ball into the top left corner. Just short of 20 minutes later, an errant back pass from Kevin Alston was intercepted by Kevaughn Frater, who dribbled up to the goal line before blasting the ball into the back of the net.

OC was unable to get a sustained attack going, with most of the attacking danger coming from set pieces, including a pair of Koji Hashimoto corners that bounced around and nearly beat the New Mexico defense before being cleared away.

Going into the break, New Mexico looked primed to upset the title contenders, but Orange County’s never say die spirit changed the narrative of the second half.

Forwards Giovani Ramos-Godoy and Darwin Jones combined to give the team hope. Just before the hour mark, Ramos-Godoy knocked down a cross, sending the ball to the far post where Jones was able to push the ball over the line. From then on, Orange County took control of the match.

Aaron Cervantes had an excellent game, looking comfortable and capable leading his back line. Early in the second half, he made multiple big saves to keep the game at 2-1.

The international 17-and-under goalie’s performance was inspiring and impressive, with the night marking his professional debut just two days after his 17th birthday.

Liam Trotter made his OC debut, and with it came Orange County’s longest sustained attack.

He provided a large physical presence in the midfield and proved a cool head as Orange County pressed New Mexico deep into their half. He also drew the crucial foul that led to the equalizer, and assisted Leonardo on the ensuing play.

Leonardo’s debut was certainly one to remember. The former MLS player looked dangerous at both ends of the pitch, pressuring the New Mexico offense into mistakes before getting forward on set-pieces. He caused trouble in the opposing box throughout the game, but crucially scored the late equalizer to earn the club a point.