Match Recap and Preview: Road Success Leads Oakland Home

Written by Robert Kerr, Staff Writer

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Oakland County FC looks to remain undefeated in 2019 as the red hot purple gang play for first place under the lights this Thursday Night. Michigan’s supporter-owned team returns home for a cross-county battle against Carpathia FC, on Thursday May 30th, at 7:30 PM. The midweek matchup is the third of eight home games presented by Diversified Members Credit Union. Discounted online tickets can be purchased here.

Thursday’s Divisional bout comes on the heels of two big wins for OCFC over the past week. The visitors are a familiar foe, as they have occupied the same division as OCFC since each club’s inception. County will not only be playing for the top spot in the division but for their first ever victory against the visitors as well. The squad’s chemistry appears to be growing and the group are in good form together. Every player has been contributing to the winning results. This good form, combined with the support from County’s fans, will no doubt propel this excellent side towards another milestone victory.

Still very early, but here's where the @UPSL_Midwest – East Division stands as we approach June. #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/UxxvLmZgz4

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) May 28, 2019

Success on the Road

The club earned a 2-1 win against Kalamazoo FC over the holiday weekend after routing the AAFC Lumberjacks 5-2 just four days earlier. The Michigan Milk Cup Quarterfinal win over KZFC was one of the club’s finest moments thus far and was a fantastic display of team strength and individual ability. The team, dressed in their Supporters’ Trust selected white away kits, played a complete game in the single elimination matchup.

Tonight’s MOTM: Bobby Harris! #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/NiX9aFsIXx

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) May 27, 2019

County’s defense never wavered in their focus on the game, and rose to every challenge that Kalamazoo presented. OCFC defender Alvaro Alaman made a number of goal saving tackles, while goalkeeper Tim Dolan made a number of one-on-one saves that kept his team in a position to win. The Troy native stopper used his legs to make the save of the game when he charged to stop a breakaway on the edge of his penalty area. The save came at a time in the game when Kalamazoo seemed to be gaining momentum and may well have turned the tide of the cup match.

GOAL: @OaklandCountyFC 1:0 @kalamazoofc 12’ pic.twitter.com/mmGEdYpOwX

— NonLeagueAmerica (@NonLeagueUSA) May 26, 2019

OCFC forward Fred Prest scored both goals for County Sunday, one on each side of halftime. The first was an excellent one-touch back post finish, off of a dream cross from Louis Sala on the left. The second, a great moment for the Brazilian, as he beat a KZFC defender in the box, and was then able to poke the ball past the keepers legs for the win. The OCFC fans and staff that made the trip to the west side of Michigan were ecstatic as the final whistle blew.

Technical Director Nick Morana

“One of the bigger wins for our club in our short history,” said Morana, as he exited Kalamazoo’s stadium. “Everyone played with intensity and heart. Can’t ask for much more than a whole team effort. They deserve this moment.”