IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Blues FC took a 2-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night as the I-405 Derby saw both sides finish with 10 men at Anteater Stadium. The Galaxy II were hit by a pair of early defensive blows, as goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon suffered an early injury and defender Hugo Arellano was sent off after bringing down Orange County’s Trevin Caesar as the forward broke in on goal. The Blues took the initiative up a man, and their pressure paid off three minutes before halftime as a cross from the right by Mats Bjurman found a late run by Andrae Campbell on the left side of the penalty area, and his cut back across the box was sent home by Richard Chaplow. Los Dos had chances on the counter-attack in the second half, including a stabbed effort by Ariel Lassiter that was saved by Blues goalkeeper Josh Cohen. The Galaxy II continued to press, and the Blues were reduced to 10 men when Oriol Cortes received his second yellow card in the 67th minute, but Orange County doubled its lead seven minutes later when Bjurman fired home a low shot after a free kick from 16 yards, securing a vital three points for the Blues' push for the playoffs.

Scoring: 
42’ – OC – Richard Chaplow (Andrae Campbell)
74’ – OC – Mats Bjurman

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. With the Galaxy II slightly dazed by both an injury to goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon and a red card for Hugo Arellano, Orange County took full advantage as they controlled the final 15 minutes of the half and made its advantage county. The Blues made the Galaxy II scramble defensively to hold off their pressure, and then finally took the lead as Richard Chaplow notched his second goal since joining the club, which paved the way to a crucial victory in the Western Conference playoff race.  

• 2. The Galaxy II are now winless in four games for the second time this season, but this streak is very different to the run of four consecutive draws the side had early in the season as it again missed out on a chance to boost its position in the Western Conference playoff race. While the side proved it is capable of taking victories on the road last postseason, the lack of goals since the departure of Jack McBean must be a concern now as the side looks to find its form as the playoffs approach, with the side now shut out in three of its last four contests.

• 3. For the first season-and-a-half of the I-405 Derby, it wasn’t much of a rivalry as the Galaxy II held sway over the Blues consistently. Last season the Blues took their first win in the meetings between the teams, but again LA had the last laugh with a victory to reach the Western Conference Final of the 2015 USL Playoffs. This season, though, Orange County has turned the series into something much more must-see, and on Saturday night claimed the season series between the teams with their second win. The tension in the games between the teams is now, and will make next season’s meetings appointment viewing.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mats Bjurman, Orange County Blues FC – Bjurman helped set up the opening goal of the game, and then scored his first goal as a professional to seal the victory that bolstered the Blues’ position in the Western Conference playoff positions.

Upcoming Games:

Orange County Blues FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC – August 24, 10:30 p.m. ET, Anteater Stadium

LA Galaxy II at Swope Park Rangers – August 27, 8:30 p.m. ET, Children’s Mercy Victory Field