SD Loyal SC fall to Orange County SC 1-0
Credit: SD Loyal
The Loyal miss out on clinching a home playoff match as OC wins a close match.
The match came right down to the final seconds, but the Loyal couldn’t even the score.
OC held the Loyal scoreless, which is a rare thing to do. The Loyal had played well up until this point.
Just two matches remain in the season. San Diego is still in a great spot to host a playoff match if they win their last two matches. The Loyal remain in second place of the Pacific Division with 47 points and a +9 goal difference. OC is right behind them with 46 points and a +5 goal difference.
This will be the first-round matchup heading into the playoffs. It’s just now a matter of who hosts the match. Both teams play better at home, but luckily the loser only has to travel two hours home.
The Loyal lost to a good team tonight. OC struggled to score goals for a while, but the defensive remains strong as they are 2nd in goals conceded in the division. This will be an entertaining match once these two meet again.
As for tonight, OC got the upper hand with a goal in the 26th minute. It was set up by a free kick and a diving Austin Guerrero couldn’t stop it.
CLINICAL CALVILLO. 🤯#OCvSD | @orangecountysc pic.twitter.com/1Nbf3PE9Aw
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 21, 2021
Guerrero is playing very well and shutting down attempts since the injury to Trey Muse. Guerrero is a big reason as to why they are in the position to contend. Tonight he kept the Loyal in it with a couple of impressive saves.
ACCESS DENIED! 🙅♂️#OCvSD | @StoneBrewing pic.twitter.com/UDiHS8sm7n
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 21, 2021
The Loyal needed to convert but couldn’t get the chance. Around the 85th minute, they came close to evening the score at one with an Augustine Williams chipper. The OC’s keeper Patrick Rakovsky was at the right place at the right time to keep them ahead.
SD attempted 11 shots with four on target. Rakovsky must like playing at home because he wouldn’t let the Loyal clinch the home playoff match.
OC shot only seven times but did get five on target. They got the one they needed early and relied on their strong defenders to hold off the Loyal.
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These kinds of matches are going to happen, but the team was playing well despite the loss. The next two matches are against teams that are likely to miss the postseason. So SD will need to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them.
The Loyal face the Oakland Roots this Sunday, October 24, at 3 p.m.
This is the final home match of the season for SD. Torero Stadium will be packed, and the atmosphere will be electric in what could be the final match in San Diego this season.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.