The game was over at halftime, but Orange County FC wanted to make a statement to the league. OCFC manhandled SC Corinthians USA for an 8-1 home victory to remain undefeated.
Corinthians was hoping to not just solidify a road win, but their first win of the season. With a huge match against first place Riverside Coras next for OCFC, this was a possible trap game and they could not take SC Corinthians USA lightly.
Head coach Paul Caligiuri chose to start with 3-5-2 formation, to allow the team to maintain possession, create more passing lanes, and increasing pressure on the opposing defensive half.
OCFC came out of the gate fast. Putting high pressure with their midfielders, disrupting passes from SC Corinthians USA defenders, and basically controlling the game at their desired pace. OCFC’s strategy resulted in a quick goal in the fourth minute, where forward Staforde Palmer created space in the six-yard box and put one past the goalkeeper.
Connor Gordon tacked on two more goals in the ninth and 24th minute of play, giving OCFC a 3-0 lead over SC Corinthians USA.
SC Corinthians USA was unable to create any pressure and within 30 minutes into the game and could not cross the half field line. OCFC was dominating in every facet of the game and the scoring opportunities were coming with ease.
Palmer, off a deflection from a corner kick, blasted a right footed volley past the keeper in the 35th minute, for his second goal of the match. Goalkeeper Hugo Gomez found lone forward Jose Montes de Orca in the 44th minute for another goal, giving OCFC an astounding 5-0 lead at halftime.
At start of halftime OCFC seemed to be satisfied with the result. Caligiuri gradually throughout the second half made substitutions to bring in fresh legs. OCFC continued dominating SC Corinthians USA, dictating the tempo of the game and controlling possession of the ball throughout the whole second half.
In the 75th minute Tomas Canale joined the scoring festivities and put one past the keeper, giving OCFC a 6-0 lead. Minutes later SC Corinthians USA put themselves on the scoring sheet and stopped the possible clean sheet, when Victor Polanco found the back of the net. This put the match at 6-1 in the 82th minute.
With only fifteen minutes of time left in the game, the result of the game seemed all but determined. Yet OCFC continued attacking the opposing defensive half at will. Jose Montes de Orca found space in the 85th minute and added another goal for OCFC, his second of the night. Finally, Defender Kevin Belmonte capped the night with a rocket of a shot outside the six-yard box for a magnificent goal.
The scoring clinic was over. The final score was OCFC 8 -1 over SC Corinthians USA. OCFC gained a quality win and looked in form to challenge to top of the table Riverside Coras next week at UC Riverside.
