IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC and San Diego Loyal SC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at Championship Soccer Stadium that allowed Orange County to retain second place in the Group B standings at the end of the night.

Following the opening minutes of the contest, between 7:00 and 8:46 of the match, players from both sides came together at the center circle, united against racism, and in support of equality, diversity and compassion.

In the game, chances were few in the first half for both sides. A free kick by Charlie Adams in the 19th minute for SD Loyal drew OCSC goalkeeper Frederick Due off his line but he was unable to claim, and Grant Stoneman’s follow-up shot caromed off a defender and behind for a corner.

Orange County’s Cameron Palmer then had a long-range effort fly well wide of the left post after a free kick into the penalty area had been half-cleared by the visitors, while Ugo Okoli sent a diving header just off target late in the half as he went after a good header across goal by Rob Kiernan from a set piece.

The hosts went close to taking the lead seven minutes into the second half as Darwin Jones took on his defender in the right side of the penalty area, but after creating space for a right-footed shot his effort crashed against the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Brian Iloski then forced a save from SD Loyal goalkeeper Jon Kempin in the 64th minute, while a couple of minutes later Collin Martin sent Miguel Berry through on a breakaway, but a heavy touch by the former University of San Diego standout allowed Due to gather.

Iloski went close again for the hosts with 16 minutes to go as his header was saved by Kempin, while Okoli pulled back a cross for Michael Orozco in the 82nd minute only for the defender to fail to control his finish. SD Loyal had a chance in stoppage time on another good delivery into the penalty area by Adams, but no teammate could find a finishing touch, and after a late appeal for handball by the visitors was turned away by the referee the final whistle blew to bring the scoreless draw to an end.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Brian Iloski, Orange County SC – Iloski was the player that looked most likely to break the deadlock and finished with four shots, two of which were on target, while he also recorded one key pass and completed 23 of 33 overall.