Kenyan midfielder Philip Mayaka won the Man of the Match award as Colorado Springs saw their five-game unbeaten run came to a grinding halt following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Orange County in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship.Mayaka was again trusted with a starting berth after coming off the bench in the clash against New Mexico and provided an assist in his last start as they beat Austin Bold despite playing the entire second half a man down.Your Man of the Match tonight is @philipmayaka!@BBBSouthernColo #COSvOC pic.twitter.com/iZ07ObX5vF— SwitchbacksFC (@SwitchbacksFC) July 2, 2021 The midfielder noted that the side failed to capitalize on the numerous chances created in the game and blamed the profligate finishing on bad luck.“We created so many chances, but we had a lot of bad luck. We weren’t able to finish. We have to put this game behind us and come back next game,”“We knew Orange County was a defending team, so we had to move the ball quickly and deny them off the ball so they couldn’t go for it,” Mayaka said.Finnish forward Eero Markkanen handed Orange County an early lead in the 18th minute when he leapt highest to nod home the opener from a Brent Richards cross.85′ – Second change of the night as Steven Echevarria replaces @philipmayaka.#COSvOC | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/eZSvxDVdbd— SwitchbacksFC (@SwitchbacksFC) July 2, 2021 Mayaka got his name on the book in the 74th minute after a rash tackle as he caught an Orange County player on the ankle as the referee handed him a yellow card.Steven Echevarria came on for Mayaka with five minutes left on the clock as Springs aimed to get back to the game and prevent the former St. Anthony’s Kitale skipper from being sent off. Eric Calvillo out the game beyond Springs in the 90th minute as he capitalized on a defensive mix up to fire the ball home off the goalkeeper.
