IRVINE, Calif. – Ronaldo Damus scored the only goal and Abraham Romero had a six-save shutouts as Orange County SC withstood a strong challenge from Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night to take a 1-0 victory at Championship Soccer Stadium.

Meeting for the first time, both sides created chances early. Oakland had the first as Lindo Mfeka fired a shot from 20 yards that was saved by Romero, while the hosts saw Avionne Flanagan produce a good low save by Roots SC’s Luis Barraza a few minutes later as his shot arrowed toward the bottom-left corner of the net. Jeremy Bokila then went close for the visitors in the 24th minute as he cut past a defender and onto his left foot for a powerful shot that Romero punched up into the sky before claiming as it descended.

Oakland went close to grabbing the lead five minutes before halftime as a poorly dealt with cross came to Jesus Enriquez in the penalty area, but his shot was cleared off the line by Rhys Breen with Romero beaten as the hosts cleared. It was then the turn of the visitors to make a key goal line clearance four minutes later as Tarek Morad scrambled to turn away a shot by Damus that snuck under Barraza from close range.

Damus wouldn’t be denied a minute later, however, as he put Orange County ahead. Damus began the play, weaving at the top of the penalty area before finding Brian Iloski, who played a quick one-two at the top of the box before finding Chris Wehan in the left side of the penalty area for a low cross that Damus turned in from close range.

Roots SC almost equalized four minutes into the second half as a corner kick from the left was sent toward goal where Mfeka tried to stab home, only for the ball to hit the left post and come back into the arms of Romero. Wehan then forced a good save from Barraza for Orange County as he cut into the left side of the penalty area and onto a pass by Kevin Alston for a near-post shot that was turned aside.

As the second half went on, chances became fewer for Oakland, but the visitors had a chance with 15 minutes to go as Akeem Ward delivered a cross with the outside of his right boot from the left in toward Danny Flores, but the forward was unable to direct his first-time finish on target. Enriquez then went close with eight minutes to go for a shot to the right corner that Romero handled comfortably, but after a pair of late chances for Ariel Mbumba for the visitors didn’t connect the hosts held on for all three points.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Abraham Romero, Orange County SC – Romero had a couple of moments of good fortune, but finished with a six-save shutout as he produced some key early saves to keep the game level before his side grabbed a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Scoring Summary
OC – Ronaldo Damus (Chris Wehan) 45’

Full Box Score