Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram Bryan Tamacas setting up for the Roots
By Troy Ewers
This second round of the U.S. Open Cup match was in the CSU East Bay Campus Hayward, California as the Oakland Roots hosted El Farolito and the theme for this Tuesday night game was the first half goals and second half yellows coming up with a 3-0 shutout at Hayward State. In the first half it was obvious who the clear dominant presence on the pitch was and it was Oakland.
The Roots scored three goals in the first 24 minutes and each one involved either Johnny Rodriguez, Wolfgang Prentice, or both. Johnny Rodriguez scored the first goal off a header and he’s scored in every game where the Roots have put up a point this season.
Wolfgang Prentice would score the next two goals, one assisted by Ethan Kohler and the other one by Johnny Rodriguez giving him a big two point night. As the half would come to a close, a penalty by Oakland’s Joseph Nane caused a penalty shot that was capitalized on by El Farolito.
Ricardo Delgado Araujo converted the penalty shot with a shot to the bottom left corner and even though that was all the scoring for the game. The intensity never fell off. seven yellow cards and one red card would make this a little chippy.
El Farolito’s four yellow cards and one red card gave them a disadvantage, because the momentum stayed in Oakland’s favor for those last 45 minutes. Only negative moment this half for Oakland was Drew Murray’s injury, no current updates at the moment.
The game ended 3-1 with the Roots getting a big win and this Saturday, they’re back on the road to Indianapolis to face Indy XI in a USL regular season matchup. Each game has shown Oakland getting better and better, first game a loss, second game a draw, third game a goal victory, and now a two goal victory.
Each game showcasing Oakland’s ever growing chemistry and willingness to go to the trenches for 90 minutes and if they can keep this fire blazing then the season can only get more and more entertaining.
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