Orange County SC earned their second road victory of the season in a 2-0 shutout of Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park in Memphis, TN on Saturday, April 6. Goals from midfielder Brian Iloski, on his record setting 101st appearance for OCSC, and forward Thomas Amang put the County Boys ahead and the third shutout of the year for goalkeeper Colin Shutler and his defense secured all three points and OCSC’s spot at the top of the Western Conference.
OCSC controlled the majority of play in the Memphis third to open the match, driving play through their midfield combination of Sofiane Djeffal and Kyle Scott.
The Black and Orange created the first chance of the match in the 26th minute when defender Owen Lambe played a ball into the path of forward Cameron Dunbar. Dunbar collected the pass on to his right foot and fired from just outside the box that nearly curled back to the far post, but stayed wide.
In the 28th minute, midfielder Brian Iloski played a ball for midfielder Ashish Chattha at the back post in a dangerous position, however the ball was just poked away by the Memphis defense at the moment of truth.
Memphis 901 FC had their best chance of the first half in the 38th minute as defender Zac Duncan had the ball fall to him at the top of the box after it deflected out from a corner. Duncan struck his laces through it from about 20 yards, but his effort went just wide of the near post.
The two sides came back out for the second half still level at 0-0, and Memphis came out of the locker room on the front foot. In the 47th minute, Duncan played a cross into the box that was met by midfielder Bruno Lapa in the center of the box. His right-footed shot was saved by goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
Shutler made his second save of the afternoon just three minutes later in the 50th minute. Midfielder Dylan Borzack made a run from his own half on the left side of the pitch. He then cut onto his right foot once he entered the box and fired low at the near post, but Shutler kept it out diving to his right.
Orange County SC survived the early pressure to capitalize in the 61st minute, when midfielder Sofiane Djeffal played a ball over the top to forward Thomas Amang. Amang then played Dunbar out wide on the left, who created some space and fired a shot on target that snuck under Memphis goalkeeper Tyler Deric. The ball was rolling towards goal and Iloski was there to tap it over the line and give OCSC a 1-0 lead.
The County Boys extended their lead to 2-0 just two minutes later through Thomas Amang. Midfielder Kyle Scott forced a turnover in the middle of the park and began the counter by finding Dunbar. Dunbar then played Amang through on goal, who toe poked it under Deric for OCSC’s second goal in as many minutes.
The Black and Orange defense was able to keep the potent Memphis 901 attack at bay, as they did not allow a shot on target for the final 30 minutes of the match, and OCSC remained undefeated on the season with a 2-0 victory over Memphis 901 FC.
OCSC heads to the Lone Star State next Saturday, April 13th when they face San Antonio FC, but they will return home to Championship Stadium on Saturday, April 20, when they host Sacramento Republic FC at 7:00 PM for Gnarly’s Birthday Party! Grab your tickets here today!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
Midfielder Brian Iloski played in his 101st match for Orange County SC, breaking the all-time record for appearances in an OCSC shirt (Michael Orozco, 100).
Iloski also scored his second goal of the season, tied for the team lead.
Midfielder Seth Casiple came on in the 67th minute of the match, for his 200th USL Championship regular season appearance.
Forward Thomas Amang scored his second goal of the season, tied for the team lead.
Forward Cameron Dunbar recorded his first assist of the year.
Orange County SC has now scored six goals on the road so far this season, the most in the USL Championship.
Orange County SC has now kept three clean sheets so far this season, the most in the USL Championship.
TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
OCSC | 0 | 2 | 2 |
MEM | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
61’ Brian Iloski (OCSC)
63’ Thomas Amang (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
45 + 3’ Bench
75’ Sofiane Djeffal
85’ Kevin Partida
90 + 2’ Andrew Fox
MEMPHIS 901 FC
42’ Marlon
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ashish Chattha (Christian Sorto 83’), Andrew Fox, Ashton Miles, Owen Lambe; Kevin Partida (C), Sofiane Djeffal, Kyle Scott (Seth Casiple 65’), Brian Iloski; Thomas Amang (Ethan Zubak 64’), Cameron Dunbar (Bryce Jamison 65’)
Unused subs: Duran Ferree (GK), Ryan Ayoub, Ben Barjolo
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 47% | Shots: 5 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 3 | Fouls: 11 | Offsides: 3 |
MEMPHIS 901 FC LINEUP:
Tyler Deric (GK); AB Cissoko (Lucas Turci 90 +7’), Zac Duncan, Carson Vom Steeg; Luiz Fernando, Bruno Lapa (Noe Meza 80’), Leston Paul (C) (Emerson Hyndman 70’), Marlon; Dylan Borczak, Neco Brett (Samuel Careaga 70’), Nighte Pickering
Unused subs: Taylor Bailey (GK), Oscar Jimenez, Walid Yacoubou
Head Coach: Stephen Glass
Possession: 53% | Shots: 12 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corners: 6 | Fouls: 10 | Offsides: 0 |
Orange County SC @ Memphis 901 FC
2024 USL Championship | Matchday 5
Date: April 6th, 2024
Venue: AutoZone Park (Memphis, TN)
Weather: Head of the Western Conference Table ☝️