Sports stats



Orange County SC

Everything You Need to Know Before Orange County SC Hosts Miami in Their 2024 Home Opener

March 22, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Kickoff: Saturday, March 23 (7:00 PM PST)

Where: Championship Stadium (Irvine, CA)

How to Watch: At The Champ, Bally Sports SoCal, CBS Sports Golazo! Network

After an undefeated road trip against the Regular Season Conference Champions from a year ago, Orange County SC returns home to square off with The Miami FC at Championship Stadium at 7:00 PM PST for their 2024 Home Opener, presented by Hoag. Gates are opening a half an hour early to give our fans the chance to get in earlier to help us Pack The Champ!

THE END OF A WESTERN STRETCH FOR MIAMI

The Miami FC come into Saturday's match after a hard fought loss in their Home Opener to Sacramento Republic FC last weekend. This is also their third straight match to open the season against a Western Conference opponent, after opening the season with a 2-0 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. While these sides played to a 0-0 draw last season at FIU Stadium, a very different team will be making the trip out to Irvine this year. The Miami FC signed or acquired 19 new players this past offseason, after parting ways with 15 players from 2023. They have also signed former AC Milan and Italian National Team player Antonio Nocerino as their new head coach, his first managerial position. New goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi has made eight saves on the young season, good for fifth in the league to this point.

2024 Regular Season Record: 1-0-1 4th in USL-C Eastern Conference (11-8-15 in 2023, 9th in USL-C Eastern Conference)

Goals Scored: 2 | Goals Allowed: 1 | Clean Sheets: 1

Players to Watch

M Andrew Booth

GK Daniel Gagliardi

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SEASON AT THE CHAMP

Orange County SC heads home to Championship Stadium at The Great Park in Irvine for the first time this season after a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Goals from forward Brian Iloski and substitute forward Cameron Dunbar, combined with a record tying 13th career clean sheet in Black and Orange for Colin Shutler, helped secure all three points away from home. The Black and Orange's home ground might be a former USMC Air Station, but it began to feel like a fortress towards the end of last season. OCSC finished with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 regular season league matches to close 2023. They did so in part to stout defensive performances, conceding just four goals in that span, and hosting record crowds, a club record seven straight Saturday sellouts to end the season. OCSC has also won two of their last three Home Openers, and will look to make it three of four on Saturday.

Players to Watch

D Ashton Miles

F Ethan Zubak

All-time record:

Orange County SC is 0-0-2 all-time against The Miami FC.

Previous Matchup: 2023 USL Championship

The Miami FC 0 - 0 Orange County SC (FIU Stadium, Miami, FL)

Scoring summary: N/A

Note: OCSC and MIA also played to a scoreless draw in 2022, so a goal has yet to be scored in this series.

ALMOST HEAVEN...ORANGE COUNTY

Orange County SC launched their 2024 Road kit earlier this week, the County Roads kit. The County Roads kit is a jet black kit with orange designs, most notably being the map of Orange County on the front. The kit is a nod to our supporters' group, the County Line Coalition, and their signature chant. You can purchase yours at ocscshop.com today or grab yours at the stadium on Saturday, where you can have it personalized on site for the very first time! Be sure that you're there for our earlier gate opening at 5:30 to get yours!

RECORD WATCH: COLIN SHUTLER

After a 2-0 shutout win over Pittsburgh last Saturday, Shutler is on the doorstep of more history heading into Saturday. Shutler now finds himself tied with former goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky for the most clean sheets (13) and wins (18) in club history. If he were to record another win and or clean sheet against Miami on Saturday, he would move into sole possession of first place in either category.

SECURE YOUR SEAT FOR 2024!

The only way to secure your seat for every Orange County SC home match in 2024 is by becoming a season ticket holder! Becoming a season ticket holder comes with special benefits, like your own entrance at the champ, a ticket to one away game of your choice and much more! Grab yours today at orangecountysoccer.com/season-tickets.

Check out the Orange County SC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 22, 2024


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.

OurSports Central