Emrah Klimenta celebrating the Roots victory (Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram)

By Troy Ewers

OAKLAND–Another week of Oakland Roots soccer in Hayward, California, this week against San Diego Loyal SC. The Roots came into this game at sevnth place in the western division and needed a big win. Last year when the Roots played San Diego, Oakland won 3-0 in a USL Championship playoff match and the Roots were looking for a similar result.

Oakland quickly got on the board when a sloppy play from the San Diego backline got picked by Guillermo Diaz and he hit a chip pass to Johnny Rodriguez, who scored off a right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner of the goal. 1-0 Oakland Roots.

The rest of the first half was San Diego in control of possession, but never putting anything past the deep third. Oakland fans can make any game feel like game 7, even if the action is at a stand still. The next half was a lot of the same for both teams, but the Roots closed the gap in terms of possession. Six shots on goal for Oakland and five for San Diego, but San Diego could only save four of those shots.

The second goal for Oakland came in the closing minute of the game by Anuar Palaez, who scored from a right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. 2-0 Oakland Roots and the final whistle blew.

This win moved the Roots up to fifth place in the west and the momentum needs to be upheld, because the Roots have scorers and a goalkeeper who seems to be stopping everything that comes his way. Next game for Oakland will be in Colorado Springs against Colorado Springs and all eyes will be on Formella, Rodriguez, and Blanchette.