Oakland Roots players tuned up before their match against the San Diego Loyal at Torero Stadium in San Diego on Sat Oct 7, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)
Saturday, October 7th, 2023
By Troy Ewers
In Oakland’s last away game of the season, the Oakland Roots faced the San Diego Loyal in regular season play at Torero Stadium in San Diego. Oakland currently sits in eighth place in the West, one point clear of the playoff line and they had hoped to keep their spot as they had this game in hand but it got away in a crushing 4-2 loss. The Roots do have one last game at home to close the season.
The first goal came on a sideline throw and was then headed to Bryan Tamacas who shoots on one touch past the goaltender and in for a nice goal and Oakland goes up 1-0, but that’s not new for them, can it be held? The answer is no as San Diego hit the equalizer three minutes after Oakland’s when Joe Corona hit a header past Paul Blanchette to make it 1-1.
Not even a minute later, San Diego scored their second goal when a beautiful attack led to a goal from Ronaldo Damus and the game felt out of hand early, 2-1 San Diego. The avalanche wasn’t over for San Diego as Damus hit his second goal, this time sneaking a one time shot past Blanchette and the frustration was visible on the Roots.
In the 44th minute, the SD Loyal delivered a fourth goal when Perez scored his first goal of the night and the energy was alive in San Diego, but Oakland’s energy was sucked out. The halftime whistle blew and it was clear who was on top and that was San Diego. Oakland needed to adjust, but momentum wasn’t in their favor.
The second half was Oakland desperately fighting for scorching opportunities, but no cigar. San Diego knew all they had to do was run this clock out and play the game that got them to this point. Oakland wasn’t going anywhere without a fight as they hit a quick goal to make it 4-2 and the Roots ran the ball to center to not waste any time, but the damage was already done.
With five minutes in stoppage time left, San Diego was clearly in control and Oakland fought hard, but not hard enough and when the final whistle was blown the game ended 4-2 San Diego and Oakland looked crushed.
How this affects Oakland’s playoff chances hangs in the balance, but with one more game next week against El Paso, the fate of the Roots is on the line as we close this season October 14th.
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