TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced on Wednesday that Orange County SC’s Morten Karlsen had been voted as the league’s Coach of the Month for July. Karlsen earned the award after leading his side to four wins in five games which pushed the side into the Western Conference playoff positions in an impressive midseason rise.

“I feel honored and proud to be named Coach of the Month in the USL Championship,” said Karlsen. “I credit the recent results to the players who have bought into my ideas as well as a staff and organization that has worked hard and supported the transition and transformation.”

Karlsen was appointed as Head Coach on May 2 after the departure of predecessor Richard Chaplow, having joined the Orange County staff ahead of the current season as an assistant coach. Since then, the 2021 USL Championship title winners have shown a return to the level that earned the first silverware in club history two years ago.

In July, Karlsen’s side scored 11 goals across five games, while overall the side has won eight of its last 10 games to move into fourth place in the Western Conference going into Week 23 of the regular season.

“My goal when I took over was to create a clear playing style as well as increase the competitive mindset/edge in the group,” said Karlsen. “We now have a group of players that understands their roles which gives us more cohesion. I see an Orange County team playing and competing with pride.”

Karlsen earned 36 percent of the ballot to claim the award. San Antonio FC’s Alen Marcina finished second on 29 percent after leading his side to four wins in five games over the month as SAFC led the Championship with 14 goals.

The USL Championship’s Coach of the Month award is voted upon by the USL Championship National Media Panel and the USL Championship Technical Committee, with each group responsible for 50 percent of the overall vote.