Category: Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots Draw Phoenix Rising 1-1

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Johnny Rodriguez beating his opponent off the dribble Photo from Oakland Roots Instagram

By Tony Ewers

In the rivalry game between Oakland and Phoenix, it was a game that was a battle all the way to the final minute where both teams scored their goals in the final ten minutes. It started with both teams having scoring attempts in the first ten minutes, but neither seeing the back of the net as the Roots and Rising Sun play to a 1-1 draw.

Possession was equal 50% as they traded shot attempts through 30 minutes of action. At that point the game saw nothing, but fouls for 10 minutes and from there the back and forth was like that for the remainder of the half with no actual moment where it looked either team had the upper hand.

The second half went more in a defensive direction for the Roots, but in the 82nd minute Dariusz Formella would hit a shot off the right foot in the goal, 1-0 Oakland! The defensive direction of the Roots was working, the Phoenix Rising missed six shots except one.

In the 93rd minute, a header from Manuel Arteaga in the box went past Paul Blanchett and it was the equalizer that sealed this draw for Oakland. This would be the Roots third draw in a row and Coach Delgado says “We’ve been leading in two of those games. Moments of the game, especially when we begin to close out the season – learning how to close out games, starting out well, that’s important.”

This Formella’s sixth goal of the season and second against Phoenix this season and he’s the top goal scorer for the Roots at the moment. The next game for Oakland is next week against Rio Grande Valley Toros and this their second time facing each other.

That game was also a draw, but Oakland needs a win, because the season is moving fast and each team has to kick it in higher gear to secure top spots in the table.

Oakland Roots SC Get A 0-0 Draw Against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

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Oakland Roots before the game Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram

HAYWARD, CA– The Oakland Roots SC started their three game homestand against the Pittsburgh Riverhouds SC with a 0-0 draw at East Bay Hayward. The game started slow for the Roots, but they found their pace as Anuar Palaez got the first on target shot in the 24th minute.

The entire first half was Oakland backing Pittsburgh’s D-lines down and getting great opportunities in the middle of the box, but they capitalized on none of them. The second half was more of a back and forth game, but still no goals were made.

Roots were strong on set pieces as they have been all season, but Pittsburgh made sure their hopes were shot. The Riverhounds applied pressure at various points this game, but the strong defense from Oakland blocked any shot that entered the zone.

The game was a defensive battle, so if you were looking for highlight reel plays, this wasn’t the game for you. This was for fans of defense. The Roots had a last chance effort for a game winner, but the whistle blew and the game was over.

Coach Delgado says that he was proud of the boys given the adversity they faced with players missing and things like that. He says it was a grind, and they had good moments. Oakland’s next game will be next week June 24th against Phoenix Rising.

Oakland Gets 2-2 Draw Against Phoenix

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Bryan Tamacas warming up before the game Photo from Oakland Roots Instagram

By Troy Ewers

In Phoenix, Arizona the Oakland Roots played Phoenix Rising FC and was trying to maintain momentum from their win against Colorado Springs and it looked like that would be the case early in this game. Darius Formella, the second highest scorer for Oakland scored with a left foot shot from the left side of the box, assisted by Joseph Nane. 1-0 Roots.

Yellow cards made the first half a stalemate and when the first half ended it looked like Oakland was riding the wave that carried them last game. When the second half started the pressure from Phoenix was amplified and in minute 58 Phoenix’s Federico Varela got the first touch from Danny Trejo and scored the equalizer from the center of the box. 1-1.

Ten minutes later, Oakland recovered from a Bryan Tamacas yellow card and the silent assassin, Lindo Mfeka scored a brilliant goal that was assisted by Napo Matasoso, who’s defined himself as the premiere set up man for Oakland. 2-1 Roots.

It looked like this game was in the bag, but Phoenix wasn’t going to go quietly as an unassisted goal by Manuel Arteaga found it’s way passed Paul Blanchette and tied everything up! 2-2. The rest of the game was both teams fighting for the upper hand, but the final whistle would blow with the score 2-2.

Next game for Oakland is back in CSU East Bay and the Roots are hoping for a home field advantage to put them on the north side of the table as they play a hungry Pittsburgh FC. This game will be one of the final games before the first half of the season comes to close and the Roots have the talent but, need to close out more games to reach the playoffs.

Early Goal Is All Roots Needed To Beat Colorado Springs FC in 1-0 Victory

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Napo Matsoso setting up the offense (Photo from Roots Instagram)

By Troy Ewers

In Colorado Springs, it was Oakland Roots against Colorado Springs FC and this was a major game for the Roots and it was needed if they wanted to stay at top five in the west in the table. This game started with a heavy amount of possession in Oakland’s favor and that led to a clean right footed shot by Johnny Rodriguez for a goal from outside the box. 1-0 Roots.

That was all the scoring for this as the rest of the game went at a grueling slow pace, because of fouls and an injury for Daniel Gomez. Gomez had to be carted off and he was replaced by Joseph Nane. Colorado had really no major momentum in the first half, except for a major attack in the 40th minute, but no foul was called and play went on.

The first half ended with both teams under three shots on goal. The possession in the first half was 58% in the favor of Oakland. The second half was an even slower pace, but this time from just sloppy play on both sides. Every time you looked, someone was either on the floor or arguing over a call (or lack of call).

A brace was almost scored for Oakland in the 94th minute, but the attempt was stopped in its tracks by the Colorado defense and before you knew it the game was over and Oakland got the win. Johnny Rodriguez has had a big season and this goal marks his five point this season. Next game for the Roots will be in Phoenix Rising Stadium in Phoenix Arizona against Phoenix Rising FC.

Oakland Roots Score A Brace Against San Diego Loyal For 2-0 Victory

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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.

Sacramento Scores 3 Goals Over Oakland In Decisive Fashion 3-1 at Heart Health Park

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By Troy Ewers

SACRAMENTO–The Oakland Roots played the Sacramento Republic FC in a regular season matchup at Heart Health Park in Sacramento. This game was their second time facing each other, the last time was in an U.S. Open Cup match and this time was a runaway 3-1 victory for Sacramento Republic FC.

The game started with an even possession battle for the first ten minutes, but in the 12th minute Sacramento scored off a beautiful inside the box goal by Keko Gontan and it was 1-0 Sac Republic. The attack for Sacramento got multiple chances throughout the first half, but Paul Blanchette stopped everything that got in his way.

The first half ended with Sacramento up 1-0. The second half didn’t get any better for Oakland as the 51st and 55th minute saw two goals that seamlessly passed the Roots backline.

The first one was off a rush from the midfield all the way to the outside the box for a goal by Russell Cicerone making it 2-0 Sacramento and the second one was from a pass all the way passed the backline that the Roots protested as offside, but no call was made and Juan Herrara scored a roller passed Blanchette. 3-0 Sacramento.

Even though Daniel Barbir got a one touch goal for it to be 3-1, Sacramento would hold off Oakland the whole second half and the game ended, 3-1 with Sacramento taking the game.

Next game for the Oakland Roots is against San Diego in Hayward and it’s gonna be a game that decides the momentum going into the last leg of the first half of the season.

A Dominant 3-0 Win For Oakland Against Orange Cassidy

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Bryan Tamacas waving to the fans as the game starts Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram

By Troy Ewers

HAYWARD–It was a big day for Oakland soccer fans as they got to see the home debut of the Oakland Soul, which are the new USWL team in Oakland on the same day Oakland had a big game against Orange County SC. The Roots needed a win to get a confidence boost and jolt their season and they did exactly that and they did it convincingly.

This game started off with Oakland having a clear advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Roots had the ball majority of the game and this resulted in a big 1st half, where Oakland would score twice. The first goal coming from Formella who has been one of the main scorers for Oakland and he scored this goal after a Roots push into the box and shoots past the back line and the goalkeeper.

1-0 Oakland. The second goal comes after a beautiful cross by Mfeka, Morad hits a brilliant header that sees the back of the net. 2-0 Oakland. The first half went by very quickly as there weren’t any fouls in the first half from either team. The second half was more focused on defense, where Orange County had more of an effort pushing the ball.

The OC’s best scoring chances came from this half and by the end of the game both teams had 9 shots each and were almost even on possession time. Oakland would score one more goal going into the final whistle, but it was clear that this game was all Oakland Roots.

The Roots found gaps in the OC defense and created space on offense, Oakland’s defense showed huge growth from past games, especially on the back line and this all was the catalyst for them to flourish this game.

The next game for the Roots will be in Sacramento against Sacramento Republic FC, who are the leaders of the Western conference in the USL Championship.

A Red Card For Birmingham Legion Gives Oakland Roots A 4-1 Victory

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Bryan Tamacas clearing the ball out (Photo from Oakland Roots Instagram)

By Troy Ewers

For the Oakland Roots, the problem the last few games was finishing their chances. Not getting an open play goal in the last 4 games, but that changed today in Birmingham, Alabama. The first half possession wise started out in Birmingham’s favor and it looked like this game was going to be one sided, but one red card changed it all.

Birmingham’s Kavita got his first yellow card in the 35th minute and that would give Oakland a window of opportunity and they went through that window and blew up the house from there. Two scoring opportunities were blocked by Birmingham’s goalkeeper Vanoeke, but when Kavita would get his second yellow card, resulting in a red card and a penalty shot for Oakland, the momentum that was seemingly in Birmingham’s favor was gone.

Formella would capitalize on the penalty shot making it 1-0 and that was it for the first half, so Birmingham headed into the dressing room with this penalty goal on their mind. Coming back from halftime, Birmingham would get a quick goal to change the energy, but another yellow card for Birmingham would dig them a hole they couldn’t get out of.

Formella would shoot his second penalty shot, but after a block, Mfeka would clean it up and score off a rebound shot making it 2-1 and the avalanche for Birmingham would continue from there. Reid would get his first goal of the season off a rebound shot which would put Oakland up 3-1.

The final goal was scored by Johnny Rodriguez, who funny enough subbed in for Formella and four minutes later we’d get the final whistle, 4-1 Oakland. This game was a spotlight for the offense of Oakland, but it was the first game for Oakland where the defensive backline outplayed their opponent and didn’t just rely on goalie Paul Blanchette.

A game like this is important, because so far this season the Roots didn’t concede a lot of goals, but that’s because Blanchette had to put in a lot of work to make up for the backline’s mistakes. Not today. The backline was ready for whatever Birmingham brought to the table and the moment they were able to clear that ball out they did.

Next game for Oakland is at the place they will call home for the rest of the season, CSU East Bay in Hayward and it will be against Orange County and there are a lot of takeaways from this match that will help them in next week’s contest.

A 0-0 Draw Results In A Negative For Oakland And A Positive For Miami!

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Napo Matsoso warming up before the game (Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram)

By Troy Ewers

HAYWARD–In front of a crowd of 4,665 people at CSU East Bay in Hayward, California, the Oakland Roots had another USL Championship match, this time against Miami FC which ended up in a 0-0 draw. Both squads were coming off of U.S. Open Cup losses and for Oakland, the focus of this game was to establish an attack that was not only strong and fast, but a more confident offensive attack.

The first half started with good rhythm for both teams, but no real chances. A total of twp shots from both teams and both shots went over the crossbar. Oakland’s game plan needed to change and look for more chances in the second half. The attack needed to be more aggressive. The second half started off with some heat.

Oakland took their new game plan of aggression into effect early and the Roots got two shots, but missed both. One of those shots would be the only shot on goal for Oakland. The Roots’ opportunities were good, but Miami’s defense was always there and ready to get in the lanes.

The offense wasn’t flowing for Miami either, Blanchette stopping three shots on goal in the first 65 minutes, but for Miami the stalemate wasn’t a negative, it was a point on the road that can be a morale boost and even though Miami would like a win, they would rather not get a loss.

For Oakland, this was a game that seemed to be a go ahead W, but with a result of a draw, it’s another week not having a complete game. It’s another week where a team has to find some type of confidence going into the next week. While this draw for Miami feels like a win, it’d be understatement to think this draw for Oakland feels like a setback. Next game for Oakland is against Birmingham and Oakland is looking for a W on the road that can spark some type of run here as we enter the summer.

Troy Ewers is an Oakland Roots beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Roots Lose To Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 In Third Round Of U.S. Open Cup

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Sacramento Republic FC coach Mark Briggs watching his team move on to the next round (Photo From Sacramento Republic FC Twitter)

By Troy Ewers

On a night where another NorCal battle between the Warriors and Kings is taking place in California’s capital, they have a similar battle between the Oakland Roots and Sacramento Republic FC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup that ended up in a 1-0 Sacramento Republic FC win. This game started with a complete defensive stalemate of a first half, no shots on goal recorded for either team.

The only major moment of the first half was Roots forward Hacksaw. First half ending at 0-0. The second half was different strategy for Sacramento, where it was clear they had one move, attack the back line of Oakland and shoot the ball, but the only shot on goal was from Nicholas Ross of Sacramento where he scored a deep shot to the center of the goal past Blanchette and that would break the stalemate and would be the only goal of the game.

Sacramento the whole second half was changing out their players and slowing the pace which lessened any chance of a comeback for Oakland. While this was a loss for the Roots, their sites are set on Saturday against Miami for another USL Championship matchup.

This loss may mean Roots are out of U.S. Open Cup, but it should be a wake up call to the Oakland dressing room, that the way they won games so far this season was by attacking early and making the opposing team have to play at Oakland’s pace, which is fast and the passes are deep. Still a long season, but the adjustments need to be made now or it will be a long season for other reasons.