2024 Orange County SC season

Orange County SC 2024 football season
Orange County SC
2024 season
OwnerJames Keston
ManagerMorten Karlsen (until June 25)
Paul Hardyman (interim, since June 25)
StadiumChampionship Soccer Stadium
Irvine, California
USL ChampionshipWestern Conference: 8th
U.S. Open CupRound of 32
Highest home attendance5,000 (March 23, against Miami FC)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 3,537 (June 1, against Detroit City FC)
All Competitions: 1,749 (May 7, against Loudoun United FC)
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2025 →

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.

Orange County experienced a coaching change 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 Interim Head Coach.[1]

Season Summary

During the offseason, Orange County experienced two major changes. In the January transfer window, the 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 as the team searched for a new head coach.[9][10][11]

Roster

As of 24 June 2024[12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Colin Shutler (Captain)
2 DF United States USA Owen Lambe
3 DF United States USA Charlie Asensio
4 MF France FRA Sofiane Djeffal
5 DF United States USA Dillon Powers
6 DF England ENG Andrew Fox
7 FW United States USA Cameron Dunbar
8 MF United States USA Seth Casiple
9 FW United States USA Ethan Zubak
10 MF United States USA Brian Iloski
11 FW United States USA Bryce Jamison
14 DF United States USA Ryan Flood (on loan from Phoenix Rising FC)
15 MF United States USA Ashish Chattha
17 FW El Salvador SLV Christian Sorto
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF United States USA Kevin Partida
20 GK United States USA Duran Ferree (on loan from San Diego FC)
21 FW Cameroon CMR Thomas Amang
22 DF United States USA Joseph Buckley
23 DF Norway NOR Ryan Doghman
24 FW United States USA Benjamin Barjolo
25 MF United States USA Ryan Ayoub ([A])
26 MF United States USA Kyle Scott
27 FW United States USA Marcus Lee
29 GK United States USA Juan Santana ([A])
30 DF Norway NOR Markus Nakkim
32 FW United States USA Nicolás Ruiz
33 DF United States USA Ashton Miles
34 MF United States USA Ethan Loomis
35 MF United States USA Ben Norris ([A])

Technical Staff[13]

Role Name
President of Soccer Operations & General Manager Peter Nugent
Interim Head Coach Paul Hardyman
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

Exhibitions

In preparation for the 2024 USL Championship season, Orange County played in seven pre-season friendlies, mainly against collegiate and fellow USL Championship teams.[14]

Orange County SC v Loyola Marymount Lions
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
Phoenix Rising FC v Orange County SC
February 24 Preseason Phoenix Rising FC v Orange County SC
1:00 PM
Note: Game not played

USL Championship

Standings

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
6 Phoenix Rising FC 17 5 6 6 18 21 −3 21 Playoffs
7 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 15 6 6 3 20 18 +2 21
8 Orange County SC 15 6 6 3 19 21 −2 21
9 Las Vegas Lights FC 17 4 7 6 21 28 −7 18
10 FC Tulsa 14 4 5 5 17 25 −8 17
Updated to match(es) played on June 28, 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

Match results

On December 18, 2023, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[15]

All times are in Pacific Standard Time.

March
Sacramento Republic FC v Orange County SC
March 9 1 Sacramento Republic FC 2-2 Orange County SC Sacramento, California
7:00 PM Amann 28', 77', Yellow card 79'
Jauregui Yellow card 40'
Mazzola Yellow card 51'
Ricketts Yellow card 90'+3'		 Report Partida Yellow card 35'
Casiple 42'
Djeffal Yellow card 45'+2'
Shutler Yellow card 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.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds v Orange County SC
March 16 2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0-2 Orange County SC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
4:00 PM Hogan Yellow card 71'
Biasi Yellow card 81'		 Report Iloski 3'
Miles Yellow card 24'
Doghman Yellow card 60'
Amang Yellow card 64'
Dunbar 76'
Shutler Yellow card 84'		 Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: 5,125
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Orange County SC v Miami FC
March 23 3 Orange County SC 2-2 Miami FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Partida Yellow card 29'
Miles 33'
Amang 70'		 Report Mitrano Yellow card 8'
Gavilanes 12', 45'+4'
Genzano Yellow card 58'
Botta Yellow card 60'
Biek Yellow card 90'+7'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
Orange County SC v FC Tulsa
March 30 4 Orange County SC 1-0 FC Tulsa Irvine, California
7:00 PM Djeffal 27'
Chattha Yellow card 40'
Lambe Yellow card 56'
Iloski Yellow card 68'		 Report Portillo Yellow card 31'
Diallo Yellow card 36'
Ponce Yellow card 45'+4'
Seagrist Yellow card 49'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 3,573
Referee: Trevor Wiseman
April
Memphis 901 FC v Orange County SC
April 6 5 Memphis 901 FC 0-2 Orange County SC Memphis, Tennessee
1:00 PM Lopes Yellow card 43' Report Iloski 61'
Amang 63'
Djeffal Yellow card 76'
Partida Yellow card 86'
Fox Yellow card 90'+4'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 2,316
Referee: Thomas Snyder
San Antonio FC v Orange County SC
April 13 6 San Antonio FC 0-0 Orange County SC San Antonio, Texas
5:30 PM Taintor Yellow card 25'
Haakenson Yellow card 68'		 Report Sorto Yellow card 19'
Miles Yellow card 79'
Amang Yellow card 82'
Partida Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: Toyota Field
Attendance: 6,957
Referee: Natalie Simon
Orange County SC v Sacramento Republic FC
April 20 7 Orange County SC 0-2 Sacramento Republic FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Dunbar Yellow card 29'
Amang Yellow card 34'
Scott Yellow card 70'		 Report Amann 1'
Fernandes Yellow card 22'
Sanchez 25'
Desmond Yellow card 30'
Cicerone Yellow card 52'
Timmer Yellow card 58'
Ross Yellow card 90'+4'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 4,200
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Orange County SC v Monterey Bay FC
April 27 8 Orange County SC 2-0 Monterey Bay FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Amang Yellow card 6'
Scott Yellow card 21'
Sorto Yellow card 24'
Djeffal Yellow card 52'
Shutler Yellow card 65'
Zubak Yellow card 82'		 Report Lara Yellow card 25'
Rebollar Yellow card 54'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 4,588
Referee: Deshun Beard
May
Louisville City FC v Orange County SC
May 11 9 Louisville City FC 3-0 Orange County SC Louisville, Kentucky
4:30 PM Harris 19'
Morris Yellow card 32'
Serrano 68'
Wilson Yellow card 86'		 Report Iloski Yellow card 23'
Scott Yellow card 42'
Colin Shutler Yellow card 68'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 10,239
Oakland Roots SC v Orange County SC
May 18 10 Oakland Roots SC 2-1 Orange County SC Hayward, California
7:00 PM Reid 31' (pen.), Yellow card 43'
Margvelashvili 90'+4'		 Report Amang 21'
Scott Yellow card 55'
Zubak Yellow card 67'
Lee Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Attendance: 3,651
Referee: Servando Berna Rico
Orange County SC v Loudoun United FC
May 25 11 Orange County SC 0-2 Loudoun United FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Chattha Yellow card 41'
Scott Yellow card 88'
Miles Red card 90'+5'		 Report Valot 34'
Erlandson Yellow card 51'
Skundrich Yellow card 72'
Ryan 90'+6' (pen.)		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 4,342
Referee: Natalie Simon
June
Orange County SC v Detroit City FC
June 1 12 Orange County SC 3-2 Detroit City FC Irvine California
7:00 PM Amang 40', Yellow card 90'+5'
Scott Yellow card 56', 57'
Fox Yellow card 65'
Jamison Yellow card 78'		 Report Carroll Yellow card 8', 19'
Amoo-Mensah Yellow card 14'
Diop 67' (pen.)
Rutz Yellow card 90'+3'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 3,537
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
Phoenix Rising FC v Orange County SC
June 8 13 Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 Orange County SC Phoenix, Arizona
8:00 PM Formella 6', 87'
Hernández Yellow card 22'
Fuenmayor Yellow card 51'
Rito Yellow card 83' Yellow-red card 84'		 Report Miles Yellow card 45'+1'
Zubak Yellow card 57'
Lambe Yellow card 59'
Chattha Yellow card 79'		 Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,032
Referee: Ricardo Montero
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC v Orange County SC
June 15 14 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-2 Orange County SC Colorado Springs, Colorado
6:00 PM Hanya 19', 82'
Williams Yellow card 52'
Foster 63', 86'
Damus Yellow card 89'		 Report Flood Yellow card 42'
Jamison 48', 61'
Doghman Yellow card 80'
Shutler Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Weidner Field
Attendance: 8,023
Referee: Brad Jensen
Indy Eleven v Orange County SC
June 22 15 Indy Eleven 0-1 Orange County SC Indianapolis, Indiana
4:00 PM Ofeimu Yellow card 40'+8'
Williams Yellow card 52'		 Report Zubak 25', Yellow card 42'
Sorto Yellow card 35'
Chattha Yellow card 73'		 Stadium: Michael A. Carroll Stadium
Attendance: 9,490
Referee: Joe Surgan
July
August

September

October

U.S. Open Cup

As a member of the USL Championship, Orange County entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32.[16] 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.[17]

Orange County SC v Loudoun United FC
May 7 Round of 32 Orange County SC 1-2 Loudoun United FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Nakkim Yellow card 11'
Scott Yellow card 51'
Chattha Yellow card 60'
Amang 62'		 Report Leggett 22', 64'
Martinez Yellow card 26'
Turner Yellow card 37'
Hughes Yellow card 59'		 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 1,749
Referee: Omeed Azadpour

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Orange County SC's Milan Iloski headed to Europe after USL season". Orange County Register. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  4. ^ "Orange County SC removes interim label for coach Morten Karlsen". Orange County Register. 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  5. ^ "Sac Republic FC draws with Orange County in season opener, 2-2". FOX40. 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  6. ^ Macht, Daniel (2024-03-10). "Sacramento Republic FC's 2024 season opener ends with 2-2 shocker". KCRA. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  7. ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC DRAWS 2-2 WITH SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC IN OPENING MATCH OF 2024". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  8. ^ "Indy Eleven vs Orange County SC - Final Score - Standings - June 22, 2024". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  9. ^ "Orange County Soccer Club coach Morten Karlsen departs for new job in Denmark". Orange County Register. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  10. ^ "Morten Karlsen er Lyngbys nye cheftræner - Lyngby Boldklub". lyngby-boldklub.dk (in Danish). 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  11. ^ "ORANGE COUNTY SC AND LYNGBY BK AGREE TO TERMS AS HEAD COACH MORTEN KARLSEN HEADS TO DENMARK". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  12. ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "Technical Staff". Orange County SC. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  14. ^ "Preseason Central". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  15. ^ Staff, USLChampionship com (2023-12-18). "USL Championship Unveils 2024 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
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