Orange County SC’s Logan Pause on season opener: “We’re prepared”

Orange County SC kick off their seventh season in USL on Saturday, against expansion club Reno 1868 FC in Reno. Every game is a good test, but it should make for an especially intriguing match-up, with a brand-new roster hosting a nearly brand-new roster, and with two new head coaches squaring off for the first time.

Reno 1868’s roster features a fair amount of pro experience in the United States, and one especially familiar face to Orange County fans, with longtime Blues defender Brenton Griffiths having moved north in the offseason.

And given the role of Orange County SC in this match, looking to play spoilers for a new team aiming to start its own history on the right foot, and it won’t be an easy prospect.

OCSC head coach Logan Pause is undaunted by the task ahead of his team.

“We’re prepared,” he told Angels on Parade by phone on Thursday. “We’ve spent time scouting Reno, watching them, understanding how they play, where their strengths and weaknesses are.

“But ultimately we have a very good team, that we are mostly focused on us, and how we play, how we want to execute the gameplan going into Reno and trying to win the game. That’s the goal, regardless of the game, regardless of the place we’re going.”

Pause, who explained his approach with his developing squad is to play “adaptive” soccer while trying to hone the style that best suits his lineup, is relishing the opportunity to start the season off well.

“We will go anywhere and try to win,” he said. We understand they have players that are familiar with this league, as do we. They have players that have played in MLS, as do we. And that’s just the combination of the group.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and we know it’s going to be a really good game.”

Orange County SC’s 2017 USL regular season opener against Reno 1868 FC kicks off at 7 pm PT on Saturday and will be available to watch on YouTube.

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