Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) (7-13-11) scored an unexpected last-minute goal to conclude their final home game, 2-2, against local rivals San Diego Loyal Soccer Club (18-9-4) at the Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Coming into the match, San Diego Loyal SC sat comfortably as the second seed in the United Soccer League and had already clinched home-court advantage. In a similar vein, OCSC’s tie against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds eliminated the club from playoff contention. On paper, this game was meaningless to both teams, but their bitter rivalry, blemished through the 11 yellow cards and two reds in their last two meetings, led to a captivating match.
Within the opening minutes, OCSC started with a bang. Defender Alex Villanueva began prowling outside the left corner of the box and successfully centered the ball to superstar and league-leading scorer Milan Iloski. The pass flew over Iloski’s head and SD Loyal’s goalkeeper Koke Vegas plucked the ball out of the air.
After just 13 minutes in the game, San Diego Loyal began an initiative of their own with duo midfielder Jack Blake and forward Thomas Amang.
Blake received the ball at the top of the box with an abundance of space–the defense was scattered–and precisely guided the ball toward Amang. Amang slipped behind the OCSC defense, set a wide-open shot, and sent the ball toward the top right of the net.
SD Loyals were up 1-0 at the 14-minute mark. However, OCSC did not deter.
At 16 minutes, Brian and Milan Iloski swarmed the SD Loyal goal line. Brian swiftly led the ball towards Milan into the box and Milan unsteadily sprinted to the ball. He gained a lead past defender Andrew Carleton, but was pushed seconds later and subsequently trampled. No call was made and the play continued.
For the next 15 minutes, OCSC exercised a monopoly on the ball and continued attacking, but their efforts were unluckily fruitless.
As the time crept into the 44 minute mark, OCSC made a final push. The ball passed the midfield reaching defender Tony Rocha, who passed short to Milan Iloski maneuvering towards the left side of the box. The defense was late to properly check Iloski, and he saw a small opening on the far right side of the goal. Without rush, Iloski set up his shot and scored with ease. The half ended in a tie 1-1.
OCSC were a little unlucky considering their long possessions and subsequent lack of goal opportunities, but at least they had something to show for in the half. In contrast, SD Loyal seemed poised and unfettered until Iloski’s goal at the end of the half.
Immediately 3 minutes into the half, SD Loyals gained possession, accessed the midfield, and breezed past OCSC’s midline with some well-placed passes. Blake provided another great pass past defenders leading the ball to forward Evan Conway.
Conway received the ball inside the box and entered a 1v1 against OCSC defender Brent Richards. He set up the shot and fired, but Richards perfectly anticipated Conway’s release, successfully blocking Conway’s shot.
The SD Loyals continued their offensive pressure and refused to let up.
Soon after, an OCSC turnover led to another SD Loyal rally. SD Loyal midfielder Kyle Vassell ran the ball to the top of the box and passed to Blake who tried to set up a shot but was swarmed by orange jerseys. OCSC midfielder Kevin Partida tackled Blake but was subsequently called for a foul.
Blake received a free kick slightly to the left outside the goal box. Five OCSC players set up to the left side of Blake. OCSC Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky couldn’t react quick enough to the change in trajectory and Blake scored.
SD Loyals gained a 2-1 lead 53 minutes in.However, OCSC didn’t seem discouraged one bit.
A foul at center field against SD Loyals rewarded OCSC with a free kick. OCSC defender Seth Casiple volleyed toward the right top corner of the box where it reached Milan Iloski, followed by a pass to Dillon Powers. Powers chaotically fired the ball far left of the goal where it went out of bounds.
OCSC seemingly couldn’t get anything going in their offensive during the second half and their offensive game continued to limp forward.
Yet, the game was all but over. Entering minute 90, OCSC’s tragic loss to what was a well-played game seemed all but imminent. The SD Loyals turnovered the ball in the first pass of their possession concerningly close to their goalpost. The ball was received by Casiple, passed to forward Oluwakorede Osundina, and finally passed towards Brian Illoski. Illoski gunned the ball from the far left corner of the box past the goalie into the dead center of the net.
OCSC managed a miraculous but well-deserved final minute goal, successfully tying the game. During the final minutes, OCSC rallied once more, but ultimately OCSC’s final sold-out home game ended in a 2-2 tie against SD Loyal SC.
Jason Garcia Escobar is a Sports Intern for the Fall 2022 Quarter. He can be reached at jasonag3@uci.edu.