
Emil Nielsen Scores in OCSC's Loss to Birmingham
April 23, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release
Orange County SC dropped a 2-1 decision on Saturday, April 22 to the visiting Birmingham Legion FC at Championship Stadium in Irvine, CA.
Forward Thomas Amang had the first chance of the evening in the 20th minute, when he made a darting run in behind the Birmingham defense and beat goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg, but he was ruled offside and the tie remained scoreless.
OCSC found their goal in the 30th minute as midfielder Alex Villanueva forced a turnover in the box that fell to defender Ryan Doghman. Doghman then dribbled past one defender and fired a low cross into the middle and forward Emil Nielsen made no mistake. The home side led 1-0.
Unfortunately, that lead did not last long. Just three minutes later, Birmingham forward Juan Agudelo made a run down the left side, cut back to the middle and drew the visitors level in the 33rd minute.
The two teams went into the dressing rooms level, but it was Birmingham Legion who found the go ahead goal in the 59th minute. Defender Collin Smith dribbled past numerous Orange County defenders and kept the ball in play to find midfielder Enzo Martinez, who put the visitors ahead 2-1.
The Black and Orange nearly found the equalizer multiple times in stoppage time, but the best chance came in the 93rd minute when substitute forward Korede Osundina found defender Andrew Fox in the middle of the box, but Spangenberg miraculously kept the ball out at full stretch.
OCSC will head on the road for two matches next week, when they face the Portland Timbers of the MLS in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 PM at Providence Park in Portland, OR. They will then continue on to Albuquerque to face New Mexico United on Saturday, April 29.
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Emil Nielsen scored his second goal of the season tonight.
TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME
BHM 1 1 2
OCSC 1 0 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
30' Emil Nielsen (OCSC)
33' Juan Agudelo (BHM)
59' Enzo Martinez (BHM)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
55' Kyle Scott
57' Kevin Partida
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
40' Phanuel Kavita
53' Alex Crognale
64' Enzo Martinez
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Cody Cropper (GK); Andrew Fox, Ryan Doghman, Markus Nakkim (C), Brent Richards; Kevin Partida (Morten Bjorshol 78'), Kyle Scott (Dillon Powers 59'), Alex Villaneuva (Ashish Chattha 65'), Thomas Amang, Milan Iloski (Korede Osundina 78'), Emil Nielsen (Brian Iloski 65')
Unused subs: Mark Hyan (GK), Seth Casiple
Head Coach: Richard Chaplow
Possession: 51% | Shots: 15 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corners: 8 | Fouls: 14 | Offsides: 3 |
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC LINEUP:
Trevor Spangenberg (GK); Phanuel Kavita (C), Collin Smith, Gabriel Alves, Alex Crognale, Anderson Asiedu, Prosper Kasim (Grayson Dupont 90'), Matthew Corcoran (Ben Reveno 82'), Diba Nwegbo (Moses Mensah 88'), Juan Agudelo, Enzo Martinez
Unused subs: Seth Torman (GK) Matt VanOeke (GK)
Head Coach: Tom Soehn
Possession: 49% | Shots: 9 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 14 | Offsides: 3 |
Orange County SC vs. Birmingham Legion FC
2023 USL Championship | Matchday 7
Date: April 22, 2023
Venue: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)
Weather: At least it's warming up again...
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 23, 2023
- Rowdies Edged Out In San Diego - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- SD Loyal Extends Home Undefeated Streak with 1-0 Win vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - San Diego Loyal
- Loudoun United FC Defeat Oakland Roots SC - Loudoun United FC
- Roots Drop Three Points to Loudoun United 2-1 - Oakland Roots
- Lights FC Kicks off Busy Week by Visiting Miami FC - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Oakland Roots Sports Club Return to the Road as the Team Heads to Virginia to Take on Loudoun United - Oakland Roots
- Detroit City FC Drops Tight Contest against Western Conference Leaders, 1-0 - Detroit City FC
- Emil Nielsen Scores in OCSC's Loss to Birmingham - Orange County SC
- OCSC Loses to Birmingham Legion FC 2-1 - Orange County SC
- Sacramento Republic FC Blanks Detroit City FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Birmingham Claims Victory in California - Birmingham Legion FC
- San Antonio FC Draws Phoenix Rising FC 1-1 - San Antonio FC
- Riverhounds Blanked on the Road in El Paso - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Hounds Blanked on the Road in El Paso - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Orange County SC Stories
- Orange County SC Falls 3-1 in Game 1 of the Jägermeister Cup
- Orange County Soccer Club Partners with Alexander Murray & Co. to Create Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky
- Orange County SC Squares off vs. Las Vegas Lights in Jägermeister Cup Match
- Orange County SC Shutout in Oakland 2-0
- Orange County SC Loses US Open Cup Match to AV Alta FC in Penalties

