IRVINE, Calif. – In the highest-scoring half of play this year in USL action, Orange County Blues FC overcame a two-goal, second-half deficit with a whopping unanswered tallies to post an incredible 5-2 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday at Anteater Stadium. Seattle’s Andy Craven notched a second-half brace to put the visiting side up 2-0 in the 56th minute. Then Orange County came from behind with a vengeance while also taking advantage of a Jordan Schweitzer sending off in the 61st minute. Akwafei Ajeakwa scored his first professional goal before Schweitzer’s sending off, and then it was a barrage of tallies from Pavle Popara, Brenton Griffiths, Roy Meeus and then Joe Baccielo in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. The Blues improved to 4-4-3 (15 points) on the season while Seattle dropped to 1-7-4 (7 points).

Scoring:
48’ – SEA – Andy Craven (Victor Mansaray)
56’ – SEA – Andy Craven (penalty)
60’ – OC – Akwafei Ajeakwa (Jackson McCracken)
64’ – OC – Pavle Popara (Didier Crettenand)
71’ – OC – Brenton Griffiths
86’ – OC – Roy Meeus (penalty)
90’+ – OC – Joe Baccielo

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Though the fireworks were truly lit once Orange County was playing up a man, it was Akwafei Ajeakwa’s 60th-minute header that drew the rave reviews. Jackson McCracken played a strong cross from the right side and then Ajeakwa, rushing in toward the far left post, went horizontal with the ground and headed it home to cut Seattle’s lead to 2-1 at the time.

• 2. The equalizer was not too shabby either as the referee played an advantage for the Blues who worked the ball in from the left side. Didier Crettenand crossed in to Pavle Popara, who carved his shot from 25 yards out inside the right post to tie the score at 2-2 in the 64th minute. Ultimately, it was a set piece that gave Orange County the winner as Brenton Griffiths mopped up a scramble in the 71st minute. The Blues did not let off the gas pedal with two more scores down the stretch.

• 3. Seattle’s Andy Craven notched his first two goals of the season in what at a moment appeared to be a mountain to climb for the Blues. He opened the scoring in the 48th minute and then drew a penalty – and converted – just eight minutes later for the brace.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Akwafei Ajeakwa, Orange County Blues FC - Ajeakwa was in the heart of the massive turning-point moments in the second half, first tallying an impressive diving header to get on the score sheet and then drawing the red card foul that gave his side a man advantage the rest of the way.

Upcoming Games:
June 9: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Seattle Sounders FC 2; 10:30 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium
June 11: Orange County Blues FC at Arizona United SC; 10:30 p.m. ET, Peoria Sports Complex