Is fascism the middle point between socialism and capitalism?

If judged in a strictly economic sense, I believe that fascism is structurally far closer to socialism and communism than it is to free market economics (the very word "capitalism" was invented by opponents of the free market in the 19th century). While fascism may not involve overt nationalization like socialism, it certainly involves heavy economic controls and regimentation by the government in terms of what products are to go where. Only that, in my view, can explain why the likes of Mussolini as well as Lenin were much admired by self-described "progressives" between the two world wars (yes, I have read Jonah Goldberg's hotly controversial "Liberal Fascism," and I found its thesis to be quite startling and eye opening - and similarly noteworthy was the original source of the phrase "liberal fascism," - H.G. Wells, if my memory serves me correctly). If you go for fascism, then you necessarily opt for economic dictatorship rather than economic liberty. Think again, if you are seriously contemplating the idea.