Orange County experienced multiple coaching changes in the middle of the season, with head coach Morten Karlsen transferring to coach in Denmark, and lead assistant coach Paul Hardyman being promoted to Head Coach,[1] before he was fired and another assistant coach, Danny Stone, being named Interim Head Coach.
Season summary
During the offseason, Orange County experienced two major changes. In the January transfer window, the 2022 and 2023 Orange County season leading goal scorer, Milan Iloski, brother of Brian Iloski, made a transfer to Danish Superliga team FC Nordsjælland.[2][3] Additionally, interim head coach Morten Karlsen signed a multi-year contract with Orange County during the offseason to become the official head coach of Orange County.[4]
Orange County had a hot start to the season, not losing their first six games. However, after losing six of the next nine games, Orange County held a 6-6-2 record in the Western Conference in late June,[8] resulting in Head Coach Karlsen making a transfer to Danish Superliga team Lyngby BK, with head assistant coach Paul Hardyman being promoted to interim head coach,[9][10][11] until he was eventually promoted to being the official head coach of the team on July 19.[12]
As the season progressed, Orange County lost form, not scoring in a five-match period beginning in late July, the longest streak in franchise history.[13] This streak of four losses and one draw culminated in the worst loss in franchise history, an August 24 match against the Charleston Battery, where the club would lose 6–0, prompting an open letter apology to fans from owner James Keston[14] and the sacking of head coach Hardyman, who ultimately had a record of 2-1-7. He was replaced by first assistant coach Danny Stone, who formerly coached Phoenix Rising FC and OKC Energy FC, who was named interim until the end of the season.[15][16]
Heading into September, Orange County SC continued its downwards spiral, despite breaking its non-scoring streak in a 2–3 loss to Las Vegas Lights FC, leaving them in 9th place and out of playoff contention.[17] The winless streak of five losses and one draw ended in a mid-September match against Rhode Island FC in a 1–0 win, in a match where Colin Shutler became the team's all-time leader in saves.[18]
With the momentum from their first win in five matches, Orange County ended off the season on an eight game unbeaten streak, including an undefeated October, ending off the season with a final record of 13–14–7. Colin Shutler entered the record books again, setting a club record of twelve clean sheets in a season, surpassing former record-holder Patrick Rakovsky.[19]
After their unbeaten run of five wins and three draws, Orange County placed sixth in the Western Conference, scheduled to play against Memphis 901 FC away on November 2 for the Western Conference Quarterfinals.[20] After winning in added extra time due to a header from Dillon Powers in the 116th minute,[21] Orange County was matched up against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on November 10 away for the Conference Semi-Finals,[22] where the team would ultimately lose in added extra time.[23]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
In preparation for the 2024 USL Championship season, Orange County played in seven pre-season friendlies, mainly against collegiate and fellow USL Championship teams.[26]
Source: USL Championship Standings Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Match results
On December 18, 2023, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[27]
As a member of the USL Championship, Orange County entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32.[30] It was announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation on April 18, 2024, that Orange County would face off against fellow USL Championship team Loudoun United FC at home.[31]
