Mistakes Loom Large: Orange County SC 0, Real Monarchs 1

Orange County SC returned home on Saturday for just their second game at Orange County Great Park this season, and extended their USL losing streak to three games after falling 1-0 to Real Monarchs SLC.

The Monarchs got started with the scoring very early, as a deflection by an Orange County defender on a cross came into Chandler Hoffman’s path and he scored in the first minute.

Wuilito Fernandes had a great chance to tie up the game just before halftime, but his shot sailed just wide of the mark.

However, Orange County won a penalty about a minute later, with Jerry van Ewijk’s attempt, after a long delay, saved by Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, capping off a rough first half for the hosts.

Adding to the issues, Monday Etim came out of the game early with an injury, requiring Logan Pause to use an early substitute and altering the gameplan with Dusan Stevanovic entering the match.

The second half wasn’t much better for Orange County, as Real Monarchs had the bulk of the chances and Charlie Lyon was called upon several times once again to keep his side in the game. Substitute Ami Pineda had a shot clang off the crossbar in the 77th minute, but van Ewijk’s saved PK loomed large on the proceedings.

Believe it or not, Orange County have yet another bye in league play after this, as their next game doesn’t come for three weeks, on Jun. 24 against Seattle Sounders 2. They will, however, have another game in the meantime, with a U.S. Open Cup date against LA Galaxy on Jun. 14.

This loss featured a bit of bad luck and a couple costly mistakes, but with a three-game losing streak in league play now, Orange County SC have hit their first slump of the season.

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