IRVINE, Calif. – Needing a win to keep its USL Cup Playoffs hopes alive, Orange County SC welcomes Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night to Champions Soccer Stadium, with Republic FC also aiming to clinch a place in the postseason as the two California clubs meet. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT.

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Orange County SC news and notes

• Current record: 9-10-10, 37pts

• Orange County fell into 10th place in the Western Conference standings after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night at Weidner Field.

• After conceding two first half goals, Orange County pulled a goal back in the 55th minute through Irvin Parra, but a missed first-half penalty kick by Jerry van Ewijk came back to haunt the side as it was unable to find an equalizer. 

• Parra's goal was his eighth goal of the season, and this second since joining Orange County on Aug. 31 after starting the season with fellow USL Western Conference club Seattle Sounders FC 2.

• Orange County must take victory on Wednesday night, or see its bid for a third consecutive playoff berth end. A defeat would leave both seventh-place Tulsa Roughnecks FC and eighth-place OKC Energy FC out of reach for the side.

• Forward Wuilito Fernandes will be absent on Wednesday night, away on international duty for Cape Verde’s World Cup Qualifier against Senegal on Saturday.

Sacramento Republic news and notes

• Current record: 13-10-6, 45pts

• Republic FC broke a two-game losing streak on Saturday night with an impressive 2-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC, ending Phoenix’s 11-game undefeated streak.

• Emrah Klimenta and Agustin Cazarez scored the goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half to claim the victory for Republic FC, which moved into sixth place in the Western Conference standings with the result.

• Republic FC needs only a draw to earn a fourth consecutive playoff berth on Wednesday night as it looks to become the sixth team to qualify for the postseason in the Western Conference.

• Sacramento will be without two players due to international duty for this match, with Trevin Caesar (Trinidad and Tobago) and Emrah Klimenta (Montenegro) rewarded for their strong seasons.

Series Notes

• Republic FC leads the all-time series between the two teams with a 6-3-2 record, which includes a 4-0 win for Sacramento on April 1 in the only previous meeting between the teams this season.

Squads

• Orange County – GK: Charlie Lyon, Casey Beyers, Michael Suchy; D: Oscar Sorto, Joe Franco, Alberto Navarro, Sola Abolaji, Juan Pablo Ocegueda, Roy Meeus, Jeannot Esua, Walker Hume; M: Victor Pineda, Richard Chaplow, Gustavo Villalobos, Carlos Alvarez, Jerry van Ewijk, Dusan Stevanovic, Amirgy Pineda, Kevin Jeon, Zachary Kobayashi, Frank Olijve, James Baxendale; F: Rodrigo Pacheco, Monday Etim, Duke Lacroix, Wuiilito Tavares Fernandes, Irvin Parra

• Sacramento – GK: Dominik Jakubek, Evan Newton, Jordan Martinez; D: Peter McGlynn, Carlos Rodriguez, Chris Christian, James Kiffe, Elliott Hord; M: Agustin Cazarez, Gabe Gissie, Lamin Suma, Adam Moffatt, Tyler Blackwood, Roberto Hategan, Villyan Bijev, Jeremy Hall, Luis Espino, Hayden Partain, Quincy Butler, Oscar Govea; F: Wilson Kneeshaw, Harry Williams, Sammy Ochoa, Christian Chaney, Matthew Wiesenfarth

Discipline

• Orange County – None
• Sacramento – None

Officials

• REF: ALEX CHILOWICZ

• AR1: Alexander Luttmann

• AR2: Joseph Salinas

• 4TH: Robert Sarfaraz

Game hashtag:

• #OCvSAC

Twitter social handles

• Orange County SC – @OrangeCountySC

• Sacramento Republic FC – @SacRepublicFC