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08/15 Preview: First Ever Regular Season Matchup vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

By Carson Merk, 08/13/18, 2:30PM PDT

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Orange County SC Returns Home in Sole Possession of Second Place in the USL Western Conference.

August 13th, 2018 (Irvine, Calif.) - Coming off of a big weekend win, Orange County SC returns home to face Las Vegas Lights FC Wednesday evening at Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park. The mid-week match will also mark the first time that both of the USL Western Conference clubs have met during regular season competition, having only previously completed a preseason friendly that ended 1-1 in Irvine.

“We look at Saturday as a great result, but it’s on to the next,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. "Still have a ways to go, to accomplish what we ultimately want [for the season]. It’s important to manage our bodies and minds in this short window between games, so that we’re fresh on Wednesday.”

Las Vegas travels to Orange County after being on the losing end of a 4-1 road match with Saint Louis FC. The expansion club plays a pressure-packed, physical brand of soccer, leading the league in fouls and yellow cards and co-leading in red cards. Due to that physicality, Lights FC will be without three starters in Wednesday’s match: Defenders Miguel Garduno and Joel Huiqui as well as attacking midfielder Carlos Alvarez. However, the club’s two leading scorers, Raul Mendiola and Sammy Ochoa, will be available and goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino will bring his theatrics and highlight reel saves to the contest. Las Vegas also has one of the most talked about players in American soccer history. Former D.C. United teenage phenom Freddy Adu signed with the club ahead of its inaugural season, and has pitched in a goal and an assist in his ten appearances.

Over the weekend, Orange County SC topped Phoenix Rising FC in a battle of USL powerhouses. Michael Seaton scored a brace, with Thomas Enevoldsen and Aodhan Quinn each adding a goal in the 4-3 win as well. Andre Rawls made three saves in his return to the lineup. With the win, Orange County took over sole possession of second place in the Western Conference and now sits only three points behind Real Monarchs SLC. 

“Las Vegas may pose a completely different challenge than Phoenix did last Saturday,” continued Cloutier. “They are a dangerous team, and we need to be prepared.”

Tickets are still available for Wednesday night’s matchup at Championship Soccer Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 PM Pacific Time, with kickoff at 7:00 PM. Visit orangecountysoccer.com/tickets or call 949-647-GOAL for more information.

Player Highlights

  • Orange County SC has not lost a match in which it scores multiple goals (11 times this season).
  • Thomas Enevoldsen enters play tonight in a three-way tie atop the USL Golden Boot race. The Orange County striker has 13 goals, level with Louisville City’s Cameron Lancaster and Pittsburgh’s Neco Brett.
  • Aodhan Quinn moved into third place in the USL in assists with his ninth on Saturday vs. Rising FC.
  • Andre Rawls tallied his 60th save of the season on Saturday, sliding up to 7th best in the USL.

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