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USL: Mid-week wrap up – Orange County, OKC, Fresno and more

By Daniel Garza

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 03: A corner marker flag blows in the wind before the MLS regular season Toronto FC home-opener played vs. the Columbus Crew SC on March 3, 2018 at BMO Field in Toronto, ON., Canada. (Photo by Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 03: A corner marker flag blows in the wind before the MLS regular season Toronto FC home-opener played vs. the Columbus Crew SC on March 3, 2018 at BMO Field in Toronto, ON., Canada. (Photo by Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Two matches highlighted the mid-week action in the USL. In the end, Orange County SC was the only club to come away with three points. Here’s how it unfolded on Wednesday.

A home unbeaten streak that stretched all the way back to last July ended on Wednesday night for the USL’s OKC Energy. Thomas Enevoldsen’s first-half goal in the 13th minute proved to be the difference as Orange County earned their first win of the season.

Chances were few and far between for the home side and Orange County were the deserved winners. OKC’s opening weekend win is keeping them afloat in the early weeks of the season, having now lost two consecutive matches.

It’s going to be a quick turnaround for Orange County, they face the Tulsa Roughnecks on Saturday. The Roughnecks have lost two consecutive matches, which will give Orange County a chance to take six points from their two away fixtures this week.

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OKC is also in action this coming weekend with a trip out west to take on Fresno who won their first match of the season on Wednesday.

Fresno win first match in franchise history

It was a historic night for Fresno FC, they scored a late goal in the 81st minute to grab all three points against Seattle Sounders 2. Jemal Johnson applied the finishing touch to a cross from Zachary Ellis-Hayden to record the match-winner.

Both sides went back and forth at different points during the match. However, it appeared that both goalkeepers, Bryan Meredith and Kyle Reynish, would not be beaten and the match seemed almost destined for a draw. Credit to Fresno, they took advantage of their moment and won what was the more exciting of the two matches on Wednesday. Reynish really was the man of the match for Fresno making two big saves in the second half.

As was not the case in their previous matches so far, Fresno was able to avoid conceding an early goal. Additionally, their relentless attack produced 16 shots which bettered Seattle’s 13.

Seattle Sounders 2 has had a rough go of it lately. They fell to the Swope Park Rangers over the weekend 4-2. They remain mid-table entering the weekend as Fresno jump into the top half of the table.

Overall, it was great to see Fresno win their first match as a club in USL. They have gotten some fantastic support from their supporters in the early weeks and a victory was well deserved.

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As mentioned, Fresno host OKC Energy on Saturday back at Chukchansi Park. Another three points will likely keep them in the top five in the Western Conference standings.

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