Match Recap: The Perfect Homecoming Start to 2021

Composed by OCFC Writing Staff

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Oakland County FC was victorious in their USL League Two debut with a 3-0 win against Fort Wayne FC. The Mother’s Day win was County’s first home game in over 665 days, following the canceled 2020 season. It was also the first win for first-year coach Vinnie Vasilevski and for the eleven new OCFC players that saw the field on Sunday. Oakland County Football Club will return to Clawson City Park Stadium on May 22, against Cincinnati Kings Hammer.

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The opening game of the season started off physically, with both teams trading the ball back and forth and only one shot on goal within the first 15 minutes. However, in the 16’ minute, Nash Popovic, the 2019 Big Ten offensive player of the year, scored off a deflected shot following a corner, recording the first USL League Two goal in OCFC history.

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Following County’s opening goal, a big momentum shift ensued. Less than five minutes later, Fort Wayne FC’s Breno Broccoli de Oliveria received a red card for a deliberate stomp on an OCFC player’s back. Once Fort Wayne was limited to 10 men, OCFC went on to hold the majority of the possession, keeping Fort Wayne to just one shot on goal in the first half.

Oakland County did not let up their attack in the second half. The Purple Gang maintained the time of possession advantage and kept the ball on Fort Wayne’s side of the field. In the 58’ minute, a cluster of bodies formed in the visitors’ box, where Luke Morrell of Fort Wayne, tripped OCFC goal scorer Nash Popovic, giving away a penalty. Popovic capitalized from the spot for his second goal of the night, putting County up 2-0.

What a great start to the season! We had an absolute blast cheering on @OaklandCountyFC and having fun with the fans. Congrats on a great game. ?⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rlR4ntDrfr

— Diversified Members Credit Union (@DMCreditUnion) May 10, 2021

In the moments following OCFC’s second goal, Fort Wayne coach Nick Potter was ejected from the match following an argument with the match official. Following the situation, which led to a delay in the game, the visitors would only attempt one more shot on goal.

OCFC remained sturdy at the back for the remainder of the game, earning an opening day clean sheet. The cherry on top came in the 80’ minute, when Kevin Buca assisted DJ Hooks for the third goal of the game, putting OCFC out of sight at 3-0.

A few shots from our match this past Sunday versus @FortWayneFC. #TheCounty #BleedPurple

Full gallery: https://t.co/KkRskPmnXl

? | @renalaverty & Karim Bujaidar pic.twitter.com/wNNcUU9jta

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) May 11, 2021

With this result, Coach Vinne Vasilevski and OCFC’s USL2 era began with a win. Oakland County’s “Man of the match” was Nash Popovic, as the Rochester Hills native netted twice in his OCFC debut. After the game, Popovic sat down with OCFC’s Yohn Voker, where he praised the defensive effort of the team for limiting the shots on goal saying “I felt the team played pretty well overall, we defended well and I’m looking forward to the next game.”

Tonight’s @DMCreditUnion Man of the Match: @NebojsaPopovic_!

Nash secured a brace in a stellar performance. #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/OMGtb6qPeA

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) May 10, 2021