Orange County SC defeated Monterey Bay FC 2-0 on Saturday, April 27 at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA. The Black and Orange secured all three points through goals from forwards Thomas Amang and Ethan Zubak. Goalkeeper Colin Shutler made five saves in a Man of the Match performance.
The Black and Orange started off on the front foot in the sixth minute as defender Owen Lambe played a ball to the back post towards midfielder Ashish Chattha. Chattha barely got an outstretched leg to the ball, which found its way to Amang. Amang fired a left-footed-shot from the center of the box right into the back of the net, putting the County Boys ahead 1-0 early.
Monterey attempted to counter in the 20th minute as defender Morey Doner sent in a cross to forward Tristan Trager. Trager connected with a header from close range that was saved by Shutler.
Shutler again kept Monterey Bay off the board with two saves in quick succession in the 23rd minute. MBFC defender Carlos Guzmán headed a corner that Shutler tipped wide and off the bar. Monterey Bay defender Kai Greene was there to tap a rebound back on frame, but Shutler again kept the Union at bay.
The visitors again had an opportunity in the 29th minute as forward Chase Boone sent a ball into the center of the 18 yard box. The ball found the head of defender Carlos Guzmán, who sent one towards goal that was saved once again by Shutler.
The biggest chance of the first half for Monterey came in the 33rd minute as Trager found forward Jesús Enríquez in one on one with Shutler. He fired one in towards goal, yet Shutler made another leaping save to keep Monterey off the board.
The story of the first half was the Orange County defense, as Shutler recorded five saves keeping OCSC ahead 1-0 at the break.
The Black and Orange had the first chance of the second half in the 47th minute as Lambe crossed one to Amang in the center of the box. Amang headed one towards goal that was saved by Monterey goalkeeper Antony Siaha.
Moments later, OCSC had another opportunity as defender Ashton Miles found midfielder Christian Sorto outside the box. Sorto fired one with his left foot that was again saved in the center of the goal by Siaha.
Orange County SC broke through the MBFC backline again in the 82nd minute as midfielder Kyle Scott forced a breakaway in the middle of the field. He swiftly glided the ball ahead to a streaking Dunbar. Dunbar caught the goalkeeper off balance, sliding it into substitute forward Ethan Zubak, who tapped home his first OCSC goal to seal a 2-0 victory for the Black and Orange.
The Black and Orange are off next Saturday, but will return home to Championship Stadium on Tuesday, May 7, when they host Loudoun United at 7:00 PM in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32! A limited number of tickets for The Magic of the Cup are still available! Grab yours here!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Forward Thomas Amang scored his third goal of the season.
Forward Ethan Zubak scored his first goal for OCSC tonight.
Goalkeeper Colin Shutler recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season, making six saves in a Man of the Match effort.
Orange County SC recorded their fifth clean sheet of the season, the most in the league this season.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| MBFC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OCSC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
7’ Thomas Amang (OCSC)
82’ Ethan Zubak (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
21’ Kyle Scott
24’ Christian Sorto
52’ Sofiane Djeffal
65’ Colin Shutler
MONTEREY BAY FC
25’ Alejandro Lara
54’ Adrian Rebollar
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ashish Chattha, Andrew Fox, Ashton Miles, Owen Lambe; Christian Sorto (Bryce Jamison 57’), Sofiane Djeffal (Markus Nakkim 70’), Kyle Scott, Brian Iloski (C) (Ben Barjolo 84’); Thomas Amang (Ethan Zubak 70’), Cameron Dunbar
Unused subs: Duran Ferree (GK), Ryan Ayoub, Ben Norris
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 50% | Shots: 14 | Shots On Goal: 6 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 12 | Offsides: 0 |
MONTEREY BAY FC LINEUP:
Antony Siaha (GK); Kai Greene (C), Alejandro Lara, Morey Doner (Michael Gonzalez 87’), Carlos Guzmán; Rafael Baca (Jerry Ayon 44’), Mobi Fehr, Adrian Rebollar; Chase Boone (Ryan Dieter 87’), Jesus Enriquez, Tristan Trager (Luther Archimede 66’)
Unused subs: Carlos Herrera (GK), Pierce Galloway, Alex Dixon
Head Coach: Frank Yallop
Possession: 50% | Shots: 11 | Shots On Goal: 6 | Corners: 7 | Fouls: 18 | Offsides: 0 |
Orange County SC vs. Monterey Bay FC
2024 USL Championship | Matchday 8
Date: April 27th, 2024
Venue: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
Weather: Jammin’ back to the Win Column
