OKLAHOMA CITY – Former Danish international Thomas Enevoldsen scored the only goal as Orange County SC took a 1-0 win against OKC Energy FC for its first win of the 2018 regular season at Taft Stadium on Wednesday night. Orange County almost took the lead in the second minute as a clever piece of interplay set up Mark Segbers but his low shot went just wide of the left post from a tight angle on the right. The visitors gained the early edge on former Danish international Thomas Enevoldsen’s first goal for Orange County as he put home a low cross by Segbers with a first-time finish. Orange County almost added to its lead in the 56th minute when Richard Chaplow’s chipped finish came back off the right post. Energy FC tried to fight back late, and almost found the opening for an equalizer late on when Christian Ibeagha’s shot was saved by OCSC goalkeeper Andre Rawls, but Orange County held on to earn Head Coach Braeden Cloutier his first win in charge of the club.

Scoring:
13’ – OC – Thomas Enevoldsen (Mark Segbers)

• #OKCvOC: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Orange County’s first-half display was about as ideal as the visitors could have hoped for, not only taking the lead but dictating the play as the midfield duo of Aodhan Quinn and Christian Duke regularly looked to attack the left side with fullback Noah Powder overlapping to provide balance to the inroads being made by Mark Segbers on the right. As notable was the work the midfield duo did in breaking up possession for Energy FC, which helped contribute to a 60.2 percent pass completion rate for OKC in the attacking half in the opening 45 minutes.

• 2. The visitors managed the game more in the second half in pursuit of closing out the win, an apparent nod to the club’s second game of the road trip against Tulsa Roughnecks FC but was no less impressive as it kept its shape well and limited Energy FC’s clear chances. After putting in creditable displays against Phoenix Rising FC and Sacramento Republic FC, picking up a first win under Head Coach Braeden Cloutier adds credence to the idea that Orange County is going to be firmly back in the playoff picture this season.

• 3. Energy FC brought more in its second-half performance, but still slid to its second consecutive defeat as it was unable to find many telling connections in the attacking third. Welsh winger Jonathan Brown provided the hosts’ most consistent creative outlet down the right side, taking almost half of the club’s crosses in the contest including set piece deliveries, but was unable to connect with forward Alex Dixon and any members of the midfield as they arrived in the penalty area. OKC recorded only four key passes in the game to set up scoring chances after notching 20 in the club’s first two games.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Thomas Enevoldsen, Orange County SC – Enevoldsen scored the only goal, but also recorded three key passes and combined well in possession to keep OCSC’s attack connected as it moved forward.

Upcoming Games:

OKC Energy FC at Fresno FC – March 31, 10 p.m. ET, Chukchansi Park

Orange County SC at Tulsa Roughnecks FC – March 31, 4 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field