2026 Orange County SC season
| 2026 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | James Keston |
| Manager | Danny Stone |
| Stadium | Championship Soccer Stadium Irvine, California |
The 2026 Orange County SC season is the club's sixteenth season of existence, and their sixteenth consecutive season in the United Soccer League Championship, the second tier of American soccer.
Over the offseason, Orange County SC announced that they'd expand their long-time home Championship Soccer Stadium, where they've played matches since 2017, to accommodate the rapid increase of fan attendance.[1]
Roster
- As of January 19, 2026[2]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Academy
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on Loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Technical staff
| Role[3] | Name |
|---|---|
| President of Soccer Operations & General Manager | Peter Nugent |
| Head Coach | Danny Stone |
| Assistant Coach | Didier Crettenand |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Victor Nogueira |
| Performance Data Analyst | Amanda Preciado |
| Performance Consultant | Dan Guzman |
| Head Academy Scout | Shawn Beyer |
| Team Operations Coordinator | Mario Lemus |
Competitions
Exhibitions
In preparation for the 2026 USL Championship season, Orange County played in pre-season friendlies, mainly against MLS and USL teams.[4]
| January 24 | Los Angeles FC | 1–0 | Orange County SC | Los Angeles, CA |
| Report |
| February 4 | LA Galaxy | 2–0 | Orange County SC | Carson, CA |
| 11:00 AM | Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park |
| February 7 Coachella Valley Invitational | Orange County SC | 1–1 | Real Salt Lake | Irvine, California |
| Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| February 11 | Orange County SC | 1–1 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| February 21 | Orange County SC | 0–3 | Ventura County FC | Irvine, CA |
| 12:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| February 21 | Orange County SC | 0–1 | AV Alta FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| February 28 | Orange County SC | 2–3 | UCLA Bruins | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
USL Championship
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Sacramento Republic FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4 | Playoffs |
| 5 | San Antonio FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 6 | Orange County SC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 7 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | Phoenix Rising FC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 |
Updated to match(es) played on March 7, 2026. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Match results
On December 16, 2025, the USL Championship released the schedule for all 25 teams for both the regular season and the USL Cup.[5][6]
All times are in Pacific Time.
March
| March 7 1 | Orange County SC | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | MacKinnon 22' | Report | Pickering 84' | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,475 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| March 14 2 | Phoenix Rising FC | v | Orange County SC | Phoenix, AZ |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium |
| March 21 3 | Orange County SC | v | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| March 28 4 | Oakland Roots SC | v | Orange County SC | Oakland, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Oakland Coliseum |
April
| April 4 5 | Orange County SC | v | New Mexico United | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| April 8 6 | Orange County SC | v | San Antonio FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| April 11 7 | FC Tulsa | v | Orange County SC | Tulsa, OK |
| 5:00 PM | Stadium: ONEOK Field |
| April 18 8 | Orange County SC | v | Lexington SC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
May
| May 2 9 | Sacramento Republic FC | v | Orange County SC | Sacramento, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Heart Health Park |
| May 8 10 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | v | Orange County SC | Colorado Springs, CO |
| 6:00 PM | Stadium: Weidner Field |
| May 23 11 | Orange County SC | v | Oakland Roots SC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
June
| June 6 12 | New Mexico United | v | Orange County SC | Albuquerque, NM |
| 6:30 PM | Stadium: Isotopes Park |
| June 13 13 | Las Vegas Lights FC | v | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, NV |
| 7:30 PM | Stadium: Cashman Field |
| June 20 14 | Miami FC | v | Orange County SC | Miami, FL |
| 6:00 PM | Stadium: Pitbull Stadium |
July
| July 4 15 | Rhode Island FC | v | Orange County SC | Pawtucket, RI |
| 4:30 PM | Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium |
| July 8 16 | Hartford Athletic | v | Orange County SC | Hartford, CT |
| 4:00 PM | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium |
| July 25 17 | Monterey Bay FC | v | Orange County SC | Seaside, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium |
August
| August 1 18 | Orange County SC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| August 8 19 | Orange County SC | v | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| August 15 20 | Louisville City FC | v | Oakland Roots SC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| August 22 21 | Orange County SC | v | FC Tulsa | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| August 29 22 | Oakland Roots SC | v | Orange County SC | Oakland, CA |
| 5:00 PM | Stadium: Oakland Coliseum |
September
| September 5 23 | Orange County SC | v | Sacramento Republic FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| September 12 24 | Orange County SC | v | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| September 19 25 | Lexington SC | v | Orange County SC | Lexington, KY |
| 4:00 PM | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium |
| September 26 26 | Orange County SC | v | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
October
| October 3 27 | Orange County SC | v | Monterey Bay FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| October 10 28 | El Paso Locomotive FC | v | Orange County SC | El Paso, TX |
| 6:00 PM | Stadium: Southwest University Park |
| October 17 29 | Orange County SC | v | Phoenix Rising FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| October 24 30 | San Antonio FC | v | Orange County SC | San Antonio, TX |
| 5:30 PM | Stadium: Toyota Field |
USL Cup
Orange County will participate in the third edition of the USL Cup, and the second edition to feature teams from both the USL Championship and League One.[7]
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PKW | PKL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | New Mexico United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Orange County SC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Phoenix Rising FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First match(es) will be played: April 25, 2026. Source: [1]
Group stage
| April 25 | Orange County SC | v | El Paso Locomotive FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
| May 16 | Phoenix Rising FC | v | Orange County SC | Phoenix, AZ |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium |
| June 6 | AV Alta FC | v | Orange County SC | Lancaster, CA |
| 8:00 PM | Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium |
| July 11 | Orange County SC | v | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Irvine, CA |
| 7:00 PM | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
US Open Cup
Orange County will enter the 2026 US Open Cup at home against fellow Orange County club Laguna United FC, an amateur club that plays in the United Premier Soccer League.[8]
| March 18 | Orange County SC (USLC) | v | Laguna United FC (UPSL) | Irvine, California |
| 7:30 PM PDT | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium |
References
- ^ Le, Victoria (February 5, 2026). "Orange County Soccer Club to amp up capacity at Great Park home stadium". Orange County Register. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ "Roster". Orange County Soccer Club. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Orange County SC. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Wander, Nathan (March 4, 2026). "2026 Orange County SC Preseason Recap". Orange & Black SoccerCast. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ USLSoccer.com Staff (December 16, 2025). "USL Championship Announces 2026 Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (December 16, 2025). "THIRD EDITION: Prinx Tires USL Cup kicks off on April 25". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ USLChampionship Staff (January 27, 2026). "U.S. Soccer announces draw for First Round of 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". USL League Two. Retrieved January 31, 2026.