Photo courtesy Bob Frid/Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Two goals and an assist by Irvin Parra helped Orange County SC end the season on a high note with a 4-3 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Thunderbird Stadium on Friday night. Some impressive passing saw Vancouver notch the opening goal as the ball was pushed out to Brett Levis, who sent in a perfect cross for New Zealand international Myer Bevan, who marked his return from international duty with a fine header into the left corner. An impressive hit from Parra from a tight angle, against the run of play caught out WFC2 goalkeeper Sean Melvin to pull Orange County level in the 41st minute, but WFC2 answered just two minutes later as Terran Campbell squared for David Norman, who hit a first-time shot on the run that caromed off the right post and into the back of the net for his first professional goal. With a 2-1 lead Vancouver kept the pressure up and added a third in the 62nd minute as Kadin Chung was able to bundle home a ball off a rebound chance. This time Orange County responded immediately as James Baxendale hit the crossbar, and the rebound fell for Zach Kobayashi, who controlled with his first touch and scored with his second to set up a thrilling finish. A free kick on the edge of area allowed Parra to notch his brace and draw Orange County level as his shot blasted through the Vancouver wall to make it 3-3. The visitors took the lead with five minutes to play through substitute Kevin Jeon, who controlled the ball well off Parra’s pass before he beat two defenders and put it away well to cap OCSC's comeback victory.
Scoring:
15’ – VAN – Myer Bevan (Brett Levis)
41’ – OC – Irvin Parra (Zach Kobayashi)
43’ – VAN – David Norman (Terran Campbell)
62’ – VAN – Kadin Chung
63’ – OC – Zach Kobayashi
76’ – OC – Irvin Parra
85’ – OC – Kevin Jeon (Irvin Parra)
Three Things That Matter:
1. Scoring his third goal of the season, Myer Bevan continued his burgeoning professional career as a striker. In just his second year as a professional, Bevan has now scored three goals for Vancouver, on top of making his debut for New Zealand last month with the country's FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff coming up next month against Peru. Bevan's finishing ability will keep him on the radar of his National Team Head Coach Anthony Hudson, as he will look to add to his first international goal, scoring his first in a World Cup Qualifier last month.
2. David Norman broke through for the first goal in his professional career to cap a memorable first professional season for the young Canadian. Norman has been a regular part of the Vancouver side throughout 2017 with Friday's match his 26th appearance and his 25th start. Norman finally got the goal his play this season deserved with 12 shots on target, a 60 percent shooting accuracy. It's sure to be the first of many goals in his career.
3. Irvin Parra ended his impressive season by making USL history as his two goals and an assist brought his season totals to 11 goals and 10 assists, making him the first USL player to manage a double-double season. It was the first time in Parra’s career that he managed double digits in either statistic, in a career year for the Orange County forward.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Irvin Parra, Orange County SC – Involved in three of the four goals for Orange County SC, Parra’s history-making performance was vital in the win. Parra scored with every shot on target he had, and created two chances, one resulting in the game-winning assist.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – End of season
Orange County SC – End of season