L.A. Wolves FC's U.S. Open Cup Run Halted with 1-0 Loss To Orange County SC

Wolves FC Unable To Find the Back of the Net in Tournament-Ending Loss

May 31, 2017 - Azusa (Calif.) - L.A. Wolves FC controlled everything but the final score on Wednesday night.

Wolves FC narrowly missed on two close-range scoring opportunities in the first half, then dominated second-half possession and earned all the style points but lost, 1-0, to Orange County SC (USL) in a 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round Game at Cougar Soccer Complex.

L.A. Wolves FC Head Coach Eric Wynalda said: "Our group proved that we're extremely competitive but it happens. Sometimes you outshoot your opponents, 75-to-4, and still lose. I think there's certain parts of tonight's performance that showed who we are and where we are. We lacked a little bit of quality at times but the character of the group is really impressive. I think the guys will wake up tomorrow and people will tell them they played great and they'll say, 'Nah. Not really.' I think they know."

The loss eliminates L.A. Wolves FC from the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round for the second consecutive year, and only one win away from a date with L.A. Galaxy (MLS) in both instances. 

L.A. Wolves FC President Yan Skwara said, “It's a disappointing end to the U.S. Open Cup. We thought we had the better of the game and we made one mistake. We proved we're a good team and that we're only a moment from being on the other side of this one. The coaching staff did everything it could to prepare the team and I'm sure we'll be able to look back on this run and say 'That was a good one.' But right now, it stings.”

Orange County SC goalkeeper Charles Lyon stopped Wolves FC forward Chuck Pitts' one-on-one shot attempt in the 34th minute, then followed it up with another point-blank save in the 35th. 

A physical game led to back-and-forth calls, and OCSC's Wuilito Fernandes was fouled at the top of the penalty area in the 40th minute.

OCSC free-kick specialist Roy Meeus and Richard Chaplow stood over the ball before Meeus laced a low and hard line drive to the right of Wolves FC's wall and into the back of the net.

L.A. Wolves FC Goalkeeper Lucas Nascimento said, "I saw they had a right-footer and a left-footer setting up (and) I wasn't sure which one was going to take it. I stepped a little bit to the left to cover and the left-footer did hit it and it was a good strike. I never got a good look at it."

L.A. Wolves came out of halftime with renewed vigor, controlling possession before going at OCSC with pace looking for an equalizer that never materialized.

Paolo Cardozo, who scored goals in both the First Round and Second Round games for Wolves FC, was man-marked all night and had two shot attempts blocked.

Lucas Scaglia was injured early in the second half by a yellow-card tackle and was substituted out for Pablo Cruz, who attacked down the left flank over the final 40 minutes but was unable to find a finishing touch.

The club's next United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Pro Premier Division Western Conference game will be announced.