Orange County SC travelled to California rivals Sacramento Republic FC looking to record their second win of the season and a repeat of their playoff success at Papa Murphy’s Park last season. However it was the Republic who came away with all three points on the night, as they came out 4-0 winners.
Orange County were the side who settled quickest as they created a host of chances in the opening stages of the first half with Gustavo Villalobos, Duke Lacroix and Jerry Van Ewijk all going close. First Villalobos combined with Lacroix to get clear down the right hand side however he dragged his shot just wide. Then Lacroix found himself through on goal with just Evan Newton to beat in the Sacramento goal but Newton managed to pull off a fantastic save with his foot to deflect Lacroix’s shot just wide. And finally Van Ewijk went close when his free kick fired just past post.
However on the 21st minute and against the run of play, it was the Republic who took the lead in the when Sammy Ochoa turned home Wilson Kneeshaw’s rebounded shot. The goal came from a long ball over the top from Sacramento Republic Captain Danny Berrea, which sent Kneeshaw through on goal only to be denied by a fantastic stop by Orange County keeper Charlie Lyon, but the ball dropped to Ochoa who fired in the rebound to give the Republic the lead.
It was then the Republic who took control of the game and doubled their lead on the hour mark when Sammy Ochoa claimed his second of the night when he tapped in from close range. It was Kneeshaw again whose deflected shot fell to Ochoa who had the simplest of jobs to score from 2 yards out. Republic added a third 8 minutes later when Kneeshaw fired home a volley 10 yards from goal following a floated cross from Tyler Blackwood. Then in added time, substitute Harry Williams made it four after he was able to get on a long ball over the top and round Charlie Lyon to slot into an empty net.
The Republic managed to see out the remaining minutes to claim their second victory of the season. Orange County next face Portland Timbers 2 when they travel to Providence Park next Saturday night.