Oakland Roots player tunes up before match with Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Wed Oct 4, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

In Championship Soccer Stadium the Oakland Roots faced off against Orange County SC, who were draped in uniforms that honor the Anaheim Ducks. The final three games for Oakland before the playoffs ran through the OC tonight and the biggest thing the Roots needed was to capitalize on crucial moments. Orange County clinched their spot before the game due to the result of Hartford’s game made the energy feel less “do or die” than it did leading up to this game. 

The game ten minutes saw a major goal for the energy of the Roots as a set piece developed into a header pass from Neveal Hackshaw to Anuar Palaez for a shot to the center of the goal and the spark they needed, the Roots got early and now it was their time to capitalize on such a crucial moment.

1-0 Oakland. Orange County’s attack on Oakland consistently was strong, but couldn’t get one past Paul Blanchette in the first half it seemed. In the 40th minute Orange County had a chance on a breakaway that seemed like it was going to be the equalizer, but a foul that was not called by the ref caused a bad shot and the ball went wide of the goal and still no goals for the OC.

Orange County finally got a penalty right before stoppage time after a hard trip by Lindo Mfeka and Orange County’s Milan Iloski converted the penalty kick right past Blanchette and with four minutes of stoppage time, the game was tied 1-1.

Seconds before stoppage time was over Orange County followed up the penalty kick with a corner kick that Thomas Amang headed in for his eighth goal of the season and with the halftime whistle blown, the first half ended Orange County SC up 2-1 on Oakland. This two goal rally for Orange County is another example of what has affected Oakland all season. 

The second half started and the Roots had three shots compared to Orange County’s ten shots were a small example of the attack chances. Orange County’s assault wasn’t over as four minutes in the second half Milan Iloski’s brother Brian scored and it was clear that the Roots were outplayed.

3-1 Orange County and there was still a lot of game left. The remainder of the game was a deflated Oakland Roots trying to build some type of offense, but none of it was successful. With five minutes of stoppage time Orange County had all the momentum and all the cards were stacked in their favor at this point and when the final whistle blew the game ended with Orange County on top 3-1. 

Orange County secured their spot in the playoffs before the game, but the eighth place Oakland Roots after this loss find themselves at risk of losing that spot. Oakland’s next game is against San Diego Loyal SC in San Diego and maybe Oakland finishes their last two games still in the playoff picture.