Orange County Soccer Club players celebrate clinching the first pro soccer home playoff game.
The Orange County Soccer Club is gearing up for its regular season home finale on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Orange County Great Park Championship Stadium in Irvine.
Orange County has clinched a top four seed in the USL Western Conference playoffs which translates to a first round home playoff match at Championship Soccer Stadium. The victory also extended the club’s lead atop the table to four points over second place Phoenix Rising FC.
In a wild match on Wednesday, Sept. 26 Orange County SC defeated Las Vegas Lights FC 5-3 thereby adding to its franchise best records for wins and points in a season and clinching the first pro soccer home playoff game in Orange County history.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to quiet the crowd at Cashman Field. In the 8th minute, Orange County SC midfielder Aodhan Quinn tapped home a rebound off of a save from goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino. Orange County would double its lead in the 31st minute when forward Thomas Enevoldsen found himself behind the Lights’ defense and buried the chance.
A deflection helped spring Las Vegas midfielder Juan Carlos Garcia, who was able to beat Orange County SC goalkeeper Andre Rawls in the 36th minute. The Lights would equalize in first half stoppage time after a chaotic scene in front of goal ended with a Miguel Garduno score.
Las Vegas took the lead early in the second frame. Forward Sammy Ochoa put home a header in the 48th minute.
But substitute forward Michael Seaton was able to equalize on a shot from outside the area for Orange County.
Both clubs pressed for the important next goal, and it was Seaton that did the job again for Orange County SC as he tapped the ball past Ferrino for his second goal of the night on an assist from Aodhan Quinn – who also assisted on Seaton’s first tally.
Late in stoppage time, Enevoldsen would add his second goal of the contest and the fifth and final goal for Orange County.
With the win, Orange County clinched a top four seed in the USL Western Conference playoffs which translates to a first round home playoff match at Championship Soccer Stadium. The victory also extended the club’s lead atop the table to four points over second place Phoenix Rising FC.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available at https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/tickets.
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