Orange County SC to take on Orange County FC in 2019 U.S. Open Cup

The first round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup took place this week, with amateur and USL League One sides jumping into the fray. The Southern California teams to advance were Cal FC, with a 5-1 win over FC Mulhouse Portland in Irvine, and a 2-0 win by Orange County FC over FC Golden State Force, also in Irvine.

Cal FC have to travel to Nevada to take on Las Vegas Lights FC in the second round, a matchup that is fascinating in part because Cal FC used to be coached by Eric Wynalda, who now manages Las Vegas. That game will be on Tuesday.

Orange County FC, meanwhile, will stay at home and take on another home side...Orange County SC. These teams nearly played each other in the Open Cup last year, but lack of advancement prevented the Spiderman meme derby the first time around.

Yes, they sound like they have the same name, only one letter different, in fact. Orange County FC plays in the NPSL. They have played at Championship Soccer Stadium at Orange County Great Park in the past, but their current home is Portola High School. Managed by Paul Caligiuri, former Orange County Blues goalkeeper Pepe Miranda plays for them.

They’ll take on USL Championship side Orange County SC, who were stunned in their first game last season in controversial circumstances after making a good run in the Open Cup in 2017. As a fully pro side taking on a semipro team, Orange County SC will be favored but we’ve seen in Open Cup history that the margins can be remarkably fine and Southern California amateur outfits tend to do quite well in the USOC.

The matchup between Orange County SC and Orange County FC will take place on Wednesday at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm PT.

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