Match Recap: Back on Track

Oakland County FC were victorious against the Michigan Jaguars, by a final score of 2-1. The Friday night win came just 48 hours after their Michigan Milk Cup triumph, against AFC Ann Arbor. Julian Birge and Nick Metcalfe’s first half goals were enough to secure the win against the cross-county visitors. Friday night’s win was OCFC’s first in league play since May 22. Michigan’s supporter owned team returns to action on Tuesday, July 2, when it hosts the Flint City Bucks, in the Michigan Milk Cup Final.

FINAL | Finishing off June in style! County’s first half pair seals the deal. @JulianBirge and @metcalfe_nick are the goal scorers. See you all on Tuesday! #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/iUHswG00LS

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) June 29, 2019

Friday night’s UPSL game couldn’t have started any better. After a number of chances in the opening moments of the game, the breakthrough came in the 7th minute. A hard shot from Shawn Sloan through a crowded Jags penalty area, came back off the frame of the goal, and set up Julian Birge to finish cleanly with his right foot. Birge’s goal sent the home crowd into a delighted cheer. The goal was East Lansing natives second in two games, and his second of 2019.

The attacking trio of Fred, Melaragni, and Morana, were in full flight in the first half. The County attackers strung together a number of skillful and intuitive attacking moves. It was a County defender, though, that tallied next for the Purple Gang. A trademark long throw-in from Mario Morana fell to the feet of center back Nick Metcalfe at the edge of the six yard box. The Royal Oak, MI. native made no mistake of the opportunity, scoring his second goal of the season to put his team up 2-0, in the 33rd minute.

33 ‘ | Mario Morana long throw in falls to @metcalfe_nick who finishes it!

[2-0] #OCFCvJAGS | #BleedPurple #SupporterOwned #UPSL pic.twitter.com/BmZQYez9hZ

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) June 29, 2019

The second half saw the mettle of the OCFC defense tested, as the visitors grew as the game progressed. Michigan Jaguars’ Ryan Pierson scored in the 71st minute, to draw the visitors within one. Pierson’s goal came just moments after County’s best chance of the second half, when substitutes Cam Wilde and Bobby Harris wiggled their way into the Jags box.

Tim Dolan’s 86th minute super save sealed the three points for the home team. Dolan reacted brilliantly to a rocket of a shot sent from within his penalty area. The chance looked destined for the back of his net, but the Troy, MI. native refused entry, to the would-be equalizer. The late save was the highlight of a solid performance for the goalkeeper, in his return to the County starting line up.

Shot at a Title

Oakland County FC’s next home game will kickoff on Tuesday, July 2, at 7:30 PM, at Clawson City Park Stadium for the Michigan Milk Cup Final. County earned passage to the championship game by defeating Force FC, Kalamazoo FC, and AFC Ann Arbor. OCFC will now face the Flint City Bucks in the club’s first-ever final appearance. Tickets can be purchased, HERE.

Man of the Match Julian Birge

The goal was great, the one today might have been one of my best ever. Felt really good to strike it cleanly and see it go past the keepers hands.

Head Coach Darryl Evans

I told the guys to value defending, and I think thats what we did. We’ve been scoring goals, we just had to make sure we stayed balanced and organized in our shape, and the guys did that today.