After a month of July where Orange County SC won four of their five matches, head coach Morten Karlsen has been named the USL Championship Coach of the Month for the month of July. He becomes the first bench boss of the Black and Orange to receive this award, voted on by his peers.
“I feel honored and proud to be named Coach of the Month in the USL Championship,” Karlsen said. “I credit the recent results to the players who have bought into my ideas, as well as a staff and organization that has worked hard and supported the transition and transformation.”
Morten led his men not only to a 4-1 month of July, but to a 8-2 record over the past ten matches, no team in the league has a better record in either stretch. Subsequently, Orange County has shot up the USL Championship Western Conference standings, moving from 11th into playoff position currently in 4th place.
“We are very pleased for Morten’s well deserved recognition,” OCSC General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss said. “While we don’t focus on individual honors at Orange County SC, this clearly highlights the top quality and leadership Morten, along with the rest of the coaching staff, brings to our players and team!”
Some highlights from his side in July include: a 3-1 victory on our 10 Year Anniversary Celebration match over Monterey Bay FC to kick off the month, and a current four match win streak that included a 1-0 win over New Mexico United on a late winner from forward Milan Iloski. The Black and Orange held opponents to one goal or less in three of those matches, and also kept one clean sheet in that time.
“My goal when I took over was to create a clear playing style as well as increase the competitive mindset/edge in the group,” Karlsen said. “We now have a group of players that understands their roles which gives us more cohesion. I see an Orange County team playing and competing with pride.”
Karlsen becomes the first head coach in club history to be named to this award, since its inception in 2018. He will now look to continue to build on the momentum the team has built in July and even back to June when he took over the role of head coach. His mentality and attitude have been just the spark that this club needed to bring the club back where we belong.
From everyone here at the club, congratulations to July’s USL Championship Coach of the Month, Morten Karlsen! Come witness Morten and his men in action when they take the pitch next on Women’s World Cup Wednesday on August 16! Tickets are still available here.