Orange County SC Falls to Phoenix Rising 2-1 in Extra Time to End US Open Cup Run
USL Orange County SC

Orange County SC Falls to Phoenix Rising 2-1 in Extra Time to End US Open Cup Run

Published on April 2, 2026 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


Orange County SC hosted Western Conference rival Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday night in the club's first-ever U.S. Open Cup meeting between the two sides. The match delivered on expectations, with Phoenix securing a 2-1 victory in extra time.

The opening half was tightly contested, with OCSC holding a slight edge in possession (51%) and outshooting the visitors 5-3.

Phoenix imposed a physical tone throughout the first half, committing 11 fouls and receiving three yellow cards as they worked to disrupt Orange County's rhythm. Despite OCSC controlling much of the play, Phoenix capitalized on a key moment when Gunnar Studenhofft found the back of an open net following a miscue in the buildup, as an attempted clearance was mishandled after a pass back from Efren Solis.

The visitors continued to slow the tempo and break up attacking sequences with persistent fouling, carrying their advantage into the halftime break.

Orange County emerged from the interval with renewed urgency, applying sustained pressure in search of an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute, when Ousmane Sylla delivered a composed right-footed finish to bring OCSC level and reignite the home side late in the match.

The match proceeded to extra time level at 1-1, where Phoenix Rising FC regained the advantage through center back Aleksandar Vuković, who converted a set-piece header.

The second period of extra time grew increasingly physical, with both sides adding to their disciplinary totals as Orange County SC pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

OCSC's final opportunity came on a late corner kick, with goalkeeper Alex Rando joining the attack. Ryan Doghman delivered a well-placed service into the box, but Phoenix goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky rose to punch it clear, securing the result and sending Phoenix into the Round of 32.

The club will return home on Saturday, April 4th, for the first Beer Fest of the season. For tickets to the game and Beer Fest passes, click HERE.

MILESTONES AND FACTS: Apollo Marinch made his OCSC debut. This is his second US Open Cup appearance, and he is currently the second youngest player to appear in an Open Cup Match.

Ousmane Sylla also scored the late equalizer for OCSC in the 2025 Open Cup

There were 16 yellow cards in the match

TEAM FIRST HALF SECOND HALF FULL TIME

OCSC 0 1 1

PHX 1 0 2

SCORING SUMMARY:

ORANGE COUNTY SC

86' Ousmane Sylla

PHOENIX RISING FC

35' - Gunnar Studenhofft

95' - Aleksandar Vukovic

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:

25' Kevin Partida - Yellow Card (OC)

34' Jean Moursou - Yellow Card (PHX)

44' Adrián Pelayo - Yellow Card (PHX)

45+1 Aleksandar Vukovic - Yellow Card (PHX)

49' Mohamadou War - Yellow Card (OC)

51' Anthony Capetillo Hernandez - Yellow Card (PHX)

78' Charlie Dennis - Yellow Card (PHX)

88' Collin Smith - Yellow Card (PHX)

89' Tom Brewitt - Yellow Card (OC)

89' Apolo Marinch - Yellow Card (OC)

23' Nico Benalcazar - Yellow Card (OC)

94' Patrick Rakovsky - Yellow Card (PHX)

102' Luke Biasi - Yellow Card (PHX)

105' Coach Didier Crittenand - Yellow Card (OC)

118" Darius Johnson - Yellow Card (PHX)

121' Ethan Zubak - Yellow Card (OC)

ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP: (4-3-2-1)

Alex Rando (GK); Tom Brewitt (C), Garrison Tubbs (Tyson Espy), Nico Benalcazar, Mouhamadou War, Efren Solis (Apolo Marinch), Kevin Partida (66' Ryan Doghman), Marcelo Palomino (66' Ethan Zubak), Chris Hegardt, Lyam MacKinnon (73' Ousmane Sylla), Yaniv Bazini (105' Oliver Kurnik)

Unused subs: Tetsuya Kadono (GK);

Head Coach: Danny Stone

Possession: 61% | Shots: 16 | Shots On Goal: 6 | Corners: 2 | Fouls: 19 | Offsides: 4 |

PHOENIX RISING FC LINEUP: (4-3-3)

Patrick Rakovsky (GK); Luke Biasi, Anthony Hernandez (70' Darius Johnson), Juan Carvajal (10' Jackson Gaydon), Diego Gómez, Jean Moursou (70' John Scearce), Adrián Pelayo (C) (70' Collin Smith), Jack Ramirez (85' Hope Avayevu), Ihsan Sacko, Gunnar Studenhofft (57' Charlie Dennis), Aleksandar Vukovic

Unused Subs: Chituru Odunze (GK);

Head Coach: Pa-Modou Kah

Possession: 39% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corners: 4 | Fouls: 24 | Offsides: 1 |

Orange County SC v. Phoenix Rising FC

2026 US Open Cup Match | Round 2

Date: April 1, 2026

Venue: The Champ, Irvine, CA

Check out the Orange County SC Statistics

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