IRVINE, Calif. (June 5th, 2015) - A battle for bragging rights in Southern California is set for Saturday night in Irvine, as Orange County
IRVINE, Calif. (June 5th, 2015) – A battle for bragging rights in Southern California is set for Saturday night in Irvine, as Orange County Blues FC hosts their rivals up I-405, LA Galaxy II. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. PT at UC Irvine’s Anteater Stadium.
This will be the first of four meetings between the two sides this season. Last year, in LA’s inaugural season, Galaxy II swept the Blues in all four contests.
Orange County comes off a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC 2, on Saturday, May 30th. S2’s Darwin Jones put the visitors ahead in the first half, but Didier Crettenand’s indirect free kick strike, his fourth goal of the season, leveled the match in the 70th minute. A gritty 10-man defensive effort from OC held onto the draw after Josh Suggs was ejected in the 76th minute.
LA is fresh off a dramatic victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, on Saturday, May 30th. Colorado Springs’ Miguel Gonzalez scored early in the first half, but LA’s Daniel Steres equalized right before the halftime whistle in stoppage time. It wasn’t until second half stoppage time that Galaxy II was able to find a winner, when Raul Mendiola calmly finished in front of the net to steal three points for the home side.
Both OC and LA currently sit in the top half of USL’s Western Conference standings, with 16 points apiece. The Blues are just ahead based on goal difference, with a 5-3-1 record. LA holds a 5-4-1 record. Orange County has two games in hand against first-place Seattle Sounders FC 2, and three games in hand against second-place Sacramento Republic FC.
