San Diego Loyal defeat Orange County SC 3-2 in thriller
Credit: SD Loyal
The Loyal earn three points on the road in Irvine as an important match looms.
The San Diego Loyal came from behind to beat Orange County late in the match. OC started out the match as the more aggressive team, and they proved it with a goal early on.
The Loyal did not quit. From being down 1-0 to 2-1 to going up 3-2 late in the match shows how resilient this soccer club is.
You have to give credit where credit is due. OC played very well in this match and was at full strength tonight. If OC started out the year with this roster, they would not be in last place in the Western Conference.
OC forward Milan Iloski scored the brace and moved to the top of the USL Championship in goals with 16. He started out the evening with 14 and tied and surpassed Oakland Roots Óttar Magnús Karlsson for the time being. Iloski scored in the 10th and 66th minute.
For the Loyal, Grant Stoneman scored the first goal of the match with a header off of a beautiful assist from Charlie Adams off the corner kick.
Stoneman’s got bounce! ⏫#OCvSD | @Grant_the_Stone pic.twitter.com/491pBQ4NWj
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) July 31, 2022
Thomas Amang scored his seventh goal of the season, which is the second most on the roster behind Kyle Vassell, who has 10. Vassell did not play Saturday night but is expected to be back in the lineup for the next match.
The hero of the night, however, was substitute Evan Conway. Conway subbed in the 63rd minute and scored the winner in the 85th. The forward found himself clear as he was approaching the penalty box and drilled a liner to the top-left of the net.
Evan 🤬 Conway. #OCvSD | @conway_evan pic.twitter.com/J1JaL2Dpti
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) July 31, 2022
The Loyal controlled possession as they normally do. OC ended with 14 shot attempts with seven on target, and the Loyal attempted 13 with four on target. It’s safe to say the Loyal made their opportunities count but stole a win in Irvine Saturday night.
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San Diego improves to (13-5-4) with 43 points and remain in second place in the conference. The reigning champs are in dead last with a (5-10-7) record and 22 points.
The next match for the Loyal is Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. The Loyal will host San Antonio FC, who is the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris is also an athlete and is huge fan of San Diego sports. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and contributes regularly about the Padres.