Orange County SC are back in action on Saturday night, as they look to turn the page on a bad loss in Arizona by welcoming Portland Timbers 2 for the teams’ first meeting of the 2019 USL Championship season.

OC sit eight spots lower in the Western Conference standings than Portland, but the teams are only separated by five points, showing just how jam-packed things are out west right now. After a couple of very poor seasons, Portland are much improved this year and look like possible contenders, with Dairon Asprilla pacing them with six goals. Timbers 2 features a familiar face in Zach Kobayashi, back in action after missing all of last season, and the former Orange County SC midfielder has a goal so far this season.

The good news for Braeden Cloutier’s side is that no players are suspended this week, and as long as no new injuries have cropped up, should have their strongest squad available for a few weeks. Can they get back to winning ways and move back into the playoffs places? It should be an interesting game against a tricky opponent at Orange County Great Park.

Tale of the Tape:

Orange County SC: 19 points (4-4-7), 12th place in Western Conference; Goal Difference: 0; Last five games: L-D-W-D-D

Portland Timbers 2: 24 points (6-2-6), 4th place in Western Conference; Goal Difference: +8; Last five games: D-D-W-D-W

How to Watch Orange County SC vs. Portland Timbers 2: The game is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 pm PT at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine. You can watch the stream only on ESPN+.

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