The 2024 Orange County SC season is the club's fourteenth season of existence, and their fourteenth consecutive season in the United Soccer League Championship, the second tier of American soccer.
| 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: TBD | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | |||
| Highest home attendance | 5,000 (Twice) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | League: 3,018 (September 25, against Phoenix Rising FC) All Competitions: 1,749 (May 7, against Loudoun United FC) | |||
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| ||||
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
editDuring 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]
Roster
edit- As of July 20, 2024[19]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- ^ USL Academy Contract
Technical staff
edit| Role[20] | 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
editExhibitions
editIn preparation for the 2024 USL Championship season, Orange County played in seven pre-season friendlies, mainly against collegiate and fellow USL Championship teams.[21]
| February 3 Preseason | Orange County SC | 2–1 | Loyola Marymount Lions | Irvine, California |
| 11:00 AM | War  77' Zubak 85' |
Report | 87' |
Stadium: Great Park Field 10 Attendance: 0 |
| February 10 Preseason | Orange County SC | 0–1 | UC Irvine Anteaters | Irvine, California |
| 10:00 AM | Report | 11' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| Preseason | Orange County SC | 0–1 | Los Angeles FC 2 | Irvine, California |
| Report | 87' |
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
editStandings
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (Q) | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 40 | +6 | 46 | Playoffs |
| 5 | Memphis 901 FC (Q) | 32 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 45 | |
| 6 | Orange County SC | 32 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 35 | 43 | −8 | 42 | |
| 7 | Phoenix Rising FC | 32 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 42 | |
| 8 | Oakland Roots SC | 32 | 12 | 15 | 5 | 34 | 50 | −16 | 41 |
Updated to match(es) played on October 16, 2024. Source: USL Championship Standings
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
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
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
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Match results
editOn December 18, 2023, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[22]
All times are in Pacific Standard Time.
March
edit| March 9 1 | Sacramento Republic FC | 2–2 | Orange County SC | Sacramento, California |
| 7:00 PM | Amann 28', 77',  79' Jauregui 40' Mazzola 51' Ricketts 90'+3' |
Report | Partida 35' Casiple 42' Djeffal 45'+2' Shutler 90'+3', 90'+6' |
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 71' Biasi 81' |
Report | Iloski 3' Miles 24' Doghman 60' Amang 64' Dunbar 76' Shutler 84' |
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 29' Miles 33' Amang 70' |
Report | Mitrano 8' Gavilanes 12', 45'+4' Genzano 58' Botta 60' Biek 90'+7' |
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 27' Chattha 40' Lambe 56' Iloski 68' |
Report | Portillo 31' Diallo 36' Ponce 45'+4' Seagrist 49' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,573 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
April
edit| April 6 5 | Memphis 901 FC | 0–2 | Orange County SC | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 1:00 PM | Lopes 43' |
Report | Iloski 61' Amang 63' Djeffal 76' Partida 86' Fox 90'+4' |
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 25' Haakenson 68' |
Report | Sorto 19' Miles 79' Amang 82' Partida 89' |
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 29' Amang 34' Scott 70' |
Report | Amann 1' Fernandes 22' Sanchez 25' Desmond 30' Cicerone 52' Timmer 58' Ross 90'+4' |
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 6' Scott 21' Sorto 24' Djeffal 52' Shutler 65' Zubak 82' |
Report | Lara 25' Rebollar 54' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,588 Referee: Deshun Beard |
May
edit| May 11 9 | Louisville City FC | 3–0 | Orange County SC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 4:30 PM | Harris 19' Morris 32' Serrano 68' Wilson 86' |
Report | Iloski 23' Scott 42' Colin Shutler 68' |
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 10,239 |
| May 18 10 | Oakland Roots SC | 2–1 | Orange County SC | Hayward, California |
| 7:00 PM | Reid 31' (pen.), 43' Margvelashvili 90'+4' |
Report | Amang 21' Scott 55' Zubak 67' Lee 88' |
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 41' Scott 88' Miles  90'+5' |
Report | Valot 34' Erlandson 51' Skundrich 72' Ryan 90'+6' (pen.) |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,342 Referee: Natalie Simon |
June
edit| June 1 12 | Orange County SC | 3–2 | Detroit City FC | Irvine California |
| 7:00 PM | Amang 40', 90'+5' Scott 56', 57' Fox 65' Jamison 78' |
Report | Carroll 8', 19' Amoo-Mensah 14' Diop 67' (pen.) Rutz 90'+3' |
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 6', 87' Hernández 22' Fuenmayor 51' Rito 83'  84' |
Report | Miles 45'+1' Zubak 57' Lambe 59' Chattha 79' |
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 19', 82' Williams 52' Foster 63', 86' Damus 89' |
Report | Flood 42' Jamison 48', 61' Doghman 80' Shutler 82' |
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 40'+8' Williams 52' |
Report | Zubak 25', 42' Sorto 35' Chattha 73' |
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 32' Shutler 34' Scott 74' Amang 87' |
Report | Riley 15' Njie 23' Rodriguez 79' Dwyer 90' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Elton García |
July
edit| July 3 17 | New Mexico United | 2–0 | Orange County SC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 6:00 PM | Miles 50' (o.g.) Mohamed 73' Bruce 76' |
Report | Chattha 15' Miles 71' Chavez 72' Jamison 83' |
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 5' Zubak 25' (pen.) 49' Lambe 43' Chattha 56' Miles 61' Sorto 79' |
Report | Hyndman 59' Ward 66' Vom Steeg 77' Borczak 89' Pickering 90'+1' Yacoubou 90'3' |
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 6' 30' Crisostomo 67' Kleemann 83' |
Report | Norris 43' 52' |
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 29' Nakkim 62' Gomez 66' Lambe 88' |
Report | Hernandez 44' Buckmaster 52' |
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 51', 89' Martínez 85' Pasher 90'+5' |
Report | Flood 3' Nakkim 10' Scott 10' Lambe 86' |
Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 4,023 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
August
edit| August 3 22 | Orange County SC | 0–1 | North Carolina FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Sorto 84' |
Report | Batista 21' Malou 27' Servania 90'+5' |
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 85' Damm 90'+1' Bourgeois 90'+4' |
Report | Norris 66' |
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 33' Hegardt 54' Jamison 69' Scott 71' |
Report | Calvillo 64' (pen.) Lyons 80' Moreno 89' |
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 7' (pen.) 48', 75' Rodríguez 39' Segbers 62' Myers 72', 89' |
Report | Doghman 5' Casiple 77' |
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 6' Zubak 11', 19' Powers 37' Norris 77' |
Report | Bennett 39' (pen.) 63' Shutler 87' (o.g.) Gyau 90'+3' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,579 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
September
edit| September 14 27 | Orange County SC | 1-0 | Rhode Island FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| September 21 28 | Monterey Bay FC | 0-0 | Orange County SC | Seaside, California |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Partida 67' |
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
edit| October 5 30 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1-1 | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett 26' |
Report | Hegardt 16' Chattha 35' Partida 37' Nakkim 71' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Referee: Gerald Flores |
| October 9 31 | Orange County SC | 2-0 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Partida 27' Williams 32' (o.g.) Zubak 90'+5' |
Report | Dhillon 19' 44' Rocha 30' Tejada 47' Pierre 78' Santos 84' |
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 48' Ackwei 82' |
Report | Zubak 16' Chattha 44' Dunbar 69' Partida 78' |
Stadium: Southwest University Park Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| October 19 33 | Orange County SC | v | New Mexico United | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| October 26 34 | Orange County SC | v | Hartford Athletic | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
U.S. Open Cup
editAs a member of the USL Championship, Orange County entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32.[23] 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.[24]
| May 7 Round of 32 | Orange County SC | 1–2 | Loudoun United FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Nakkim 11' Scott 51' Chattha 60' Amang 62' |
Report | Leggett 22', 64' Martinez 26' Turner 37' Hughes 59' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 1,749 Referee: Omeed Azadpour |
References
edit- ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (2024-06-25). "Orange County SC announces departure of Head Coach Morten Karlsen to Danish SuperLiga club Lyngby Boldklub". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ Burke, Elias. "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski moves to Nordsjaelland, continuing trend in USL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski headed to Europe after USL season". Orange County Register. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ "Orange County SC removes interim label for coach Morten Karlsen". Orange County Register. 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Sac Republic FC draws with Orange County in season opener, 2-2". FOX40. 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ Macht, Daniel (2024-03-10). "Sacramento Republic FC's 2024 season opener ends with 2-2 shocker". KCRA. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC DRAWS 2-2 WITH SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC IN OPENING MATCH OF 2024". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "Indy Eleven vs Orange County SC - Final Score - Standings - June 22, 2024". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "Orange County Soccer Club coach Morten Karlsen departs for new job in Denmark". Orange County Register. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "Morten Karlsen er Lyngbys nye cheftræner - Lyngby Boldklub". lyngby-boldklub.dk (in Danish). 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC AND LYNGBY BK AGREE TO TERMS AS HEAD COACH MORTEN KARLSEN HEADS TO DENMARK". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC NAMES PAUL HARDYMAN HEAD COACH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Allen, Dylan (2024-08-25). "POST-MATCH REVIEW: A RECORD LOSS". Orange & Black SoccerCast. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Keston, James (2024-08-26). "OPEN LETTER FROM THE OWNER". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC PARTS WAYS WITH HEAD COACH PAUL HARDYMAN". Orange County SC. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ USL Championship Staff (2024-08-30). "Orange County SC appoints Danny Stone interim Head Coach for remainder of season". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ Orange County SC Communications (2024-08-31). "ORANGE COUNTY SC FALLS 3-2 IN HEARTBREAK FASHION TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC EARNS HARD FOUGHT 1-0 WIN BEHIND SHUTOUT SHUTLER". Orange County SC. 2024-09-14. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Preseason Central". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (2023-12-18). "USL Championship Unveils 2024 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ 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 2024-06-25.
- ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (2024-06-25). "Orange County SC announces departure of Head Coach Morten Karlsen to Danish SuperLiga club Lyngby Boldklub". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-25.