MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dillon Powers scored the only goal of the game in the 116th minute as Orange County SC took a 1-0 victory against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park to advance in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix, while also extending the club’s undefeated run to nine games overall.

Orange County will face the winner of the matchup between Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Oakland Roots SC later on Saturday night in the Western Conference Semifinals next weekend.

Memphis opened the game brightly and almost took the lead inside the opening 120 seconds when Zac Duncan’s pass into the penalty area was shot first time by Jon Bakero, only for the ball to slide wide of the left post. Moments later, Orange County went even closer as U.S. youth international Bryce Jamison rang the right post with a half-volley following a free kick from the left. After the up-tempo start, however, the game began to even out as both sides threatened, but neither could find the breakthrough before the halftime break.

OCSC tried to take the initiative as the second half began, but the first good chance came to 901 FC after halftime substitute Dylan Borczak was brought down just outside the penalty area. Noe Meza lined up a shot from the top-left edge of the box, but his effort to the top-left corner was tipped over by Orange County goalkeeper Colin Shutler. Moments later, the visitors also went close as Cameron Dunbar cut in from the left and fired just wide of the right post from inside the penalty area.

After a two-goal performance in the club’s regular-season finale, Orange County’s Ryan Doghman forced a finger-tip save from Memphis goalkeeper Tyler Deric with a curling shot toward the right corner just past the hour-mark. With 11 minutes to go, however, 901 FC was reduced to 10 players as Lucas Turci was sent off for his second yellow card after an off-the-ball incident as Orange County attempted to break on a counterattack.

The game remained scoreless as the game headed to extra time, but with a player advantage, Orange County carried the game as it entered an additional 30 minutes. Four minutes in, Christian Sorto forced another big save from Deric on a volleyed effort after Memphis was unable to clear a corner kick cleanly. The visitors continued to lay siege to 901 FC’s goal as the period continued, but the hosts withstood the pressure.

With four minutes to play in extra time, however, Orange County’s pressure finally told. After winning a corner kick on the right, the visitors went short to Cameron Dunbar, who created space at the top-corner of the penalty area for a floated cross that was met by Dillon Powers with a powerful header at the top of the six-yard area to break the deadlock.

Memphis tried to hit back, and in the 120th minute Borczak angled a header on which Shutler made a scrambling save to keep out. Orange County then almost iced the game in stoppage time as Ben Norris hit the crossbar on a follow-up chance after Deric had denied Sorto inside the box, but Powers’ goal proved enough to send the 2021 title winners through.

Three Things That Mattered

1. ORANGE COUNTY’S PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF: Finding overloads and employing its full backs in attacking positions, chances were Orange County SC’s winner was going to come from a wide area. The visitors were regularly stymied by a Memphis back line that especially when it went down to 10 players seemed to consistently be in the right position at the right time. Amassing 43 crosses in the contest overall, the moment of patience and quality that came from Cameron Dunbar’s delivery in the 116th minute finally gave the side its payoff as Dillon Powers crashed to the top of the penalty area and headed home. Orange County’s persistence against the 10-player hosts eventually told, but it will be looking for more precision in the final third next weekend from its creators.

2. LUCAS TURCI LOSES HIS COOL: Even as Orange County had more possession in the second half, 901 FC was firmly in the game on home turf having adjusted to its tactical tweak necessitated by the introduction of Lucas Turci for an injured Oscar Jimenez that saw the hosts switch to a back three at the break. What they couldn’t have imagined was Turci would be red-carded for a foolish off-ball incident that saw him take Chris Hegardt out of a potential counterattack when having previously received a yellow card. The Brazilian’s move killed his side’s momentum and forced them into a defensive shell that was eventually broached, leading to the side’s early playoff elimination on home turf again.

3. OCSC MAINTAINS MOMENTUM: Orange County earned its spot in the postseason thanks to an eight-game undefeated streak over the final two months of the season, and while it faced early pressure from 901 FC, it managed to maintain that momentum going into the Western Conference Semifinals next weekend. As open as the West seemed going in, Head Coach Danny Stone’s side should take away a lot of confidence from this display as it continued to roll forward.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Dillon Powers, Orange County SC – The veteran center back scored the decisive goal but was also outstanding in the back line, completing 97 of 104 passes, winning 14 of 14 duels and making 12 recoveries in a stellar defensive display.

Scoring Summary
OC – Dillon Powers (Cameron Dunbar) 116’

Full Box Score