County Drops Second Match of the Year; Division Still up for Grabs

Written by Robert Kerr, Staff Writer

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Oakland County FC was defeated by Waza Flo Friday night, by a score of 2-1. The Purple Gang have now dropped two consecutive road games, after having earned points in their first three league matches. Despite a positive second-half comeback effort, County were unable to recover from deadly first half mistakes. The team will need to have a short memory regarding Friday’s result, and take comfort from having an instant shot at redemption, against Waza Flo, when they come to visit on Thursday, June 13.

The opening period of the game, played under the dome at High Velocity Sports in Canton, MI, was a stalemate, as the teams probed and tested one another. It wasn’t until an unfortunate mistake at the back that opened up the game. Waza took their chance and took the lead off the County miscue. County reacted well, and began to dominate the run of play, creating numerous chances. The host’s goalkeeper made a number of remarkable saves to keep OCFC off of the first half scoresheet. Then, on the stroke of halftime, another County mistake was punished by the hosts. OCFC saw themselves down by two heading into half.

After a halftime break, and three substitutions, County came out flying in the second half. Moments after OCFC winger Nico Rodriguez was denied yet again by the Waza keeper, County got on the board via the penalty spot. Mario Morana was brought down in the box, by the keeper, to earn his chance. The County original made no mistake with his penalty to bring the purple side within one goal of the hosts.

GOOOOOAALLL! Morana slots it in the corner and cuts the lead in half!

[2-1] #BleedPurple #OCFCvsWaza pic.twitter.com/STC8R6DvzD

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) June 8, 2019

Nico Rodriguez looked to have leveled the game just three minutes after Morana’s penalty conversion. County were on a roll and had the fans and staff, who had made the trip to Canton for the game, up and out of their seats when Rodriguez headed into Waza’s net. The equalizer was, however, ruled null for offside against Rodriguez. After exchanging chances with the hosts over the remainder of the second half, County were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit

Oakland County FC’s next home game will be played this Thursday June 13, at 7:30 PM at Clawson City Park Stadium. The game will be a Fathers Day celebration, and will feature prematch yard games, and a Hot Dog eating contest at halftime. Buy tickets at a special pre-sale price, HERE.

The Oakland County FC experience, presented by Diversified Members Credit Union, continues beyond the final whistle. Zeoli’s Italian, in downtown Clawson, at 110 E 14 Mile Road, is the official OCFC match day bar. Zeoli’s is serving $1 beers, during every match day, in 2019! Socialize, dine, and cheer with your fellow fans, before and after the game.