Hello and welcome again to the blog’s live match coverage of the Oakland Roots taking on Orange “Orb” County FC. The Roots walk in after sustaining a disappointing 3-nil defeat to first-place Colorado Springs and hold a 1-4-4 while OCSC claimed a 2-1 victory over RGV Toros and sit one position above Roots on the table at 2-2-3 in 11th.
As we talked about on RootsPod, Oakland is entering a critical seven game stretch that could determine its playoff viability. Starting with Orange County, Roots travel to Las Vegas (May 14), host LA Galaxy II (May 21), host Sacramento (May 28), host Orange County (June 1), head to Monterey (June 4), and host RGV (June 11).
Roots are due for a result against Orange County, currently 0-0-5 against the defending USLC Champions last season. Bloom’s official match preview, he highlights OCSC’s stout defense which led them to a title:
Orb County won the league last year, a feat they accomplished only by beating the Oakland Roots five god damned times (no one beats the Roots six times in one season!). County finished the regular season on 52 points with a 15-7-10 record, four points above third place San Diego but well behind Pacific Division winners Phoenix Rising. In late August, County replaced their manager with current manager Richard Chaplow. Power Bald Chaplow played for a number of English clubs you’ll have heard of (Burnley, West Brom, Southampton, PNE, Millwall [oof], and Ipswich) before finishing his career with Orange County in 2018. Following Chaplow’s hiring, Orange County conceded only 13 goals over their remaining 16 games (setting aside one meltdown against Tacoma, 9 over 15 games). This included a playoff run conceding 0, 0, 0, 1, and 1. Chaplow runs a damn defense.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2022/05/07/orange-county-s-c-v-oakland-roots-match-preview-may-7-2022/
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RootsBlog Man of the Match
A comeback so nice, we had to nominate two players. The Roots’ intensity in the second half was brought on with help of Mikael Johnsen and Edgardo Rito. The newcomer, Johnsen, entered the game to start the second half and lined up all over the field. He originally entered at left wing, pushing Darek Formella back for Juan Carlos Azocar. Memo Diaz then entered to the left winger role with Joseph Nane exiting, allowing Johnsen to play a midfield role.
Johnsen assisted Rito for his goal in the 68th minute and drew the foul which led to Ottar Magnus Karlsson’s free kick to tie it. He was lightning in a bottle in the second half, the type of player that can make you hold your breath when in possession.
Rito, also, was magic when bombing down the right wing. He was among the tone-setters in the second half, heeding whatever words Juan Guerra shared at halftime. Aside from his goal in the 68th minute, he had a long run down the right side in the 61st and targeting Karlsson with a cross–but the striker couldn’t find his touch. He had a wicked run down the right in the 73rd, flicking a ball past Orange County’s Alex Villanueva with his back turned to the defender. Rito then made a run toward the area, sending a pass to Karlsson, which eventually fell to Charlie Dennis. He also won possession after pushing the ball off of a defender in the late minutes. Rito was electric.
Johnsen and Rito’s official stats:
Mikael Johnsen
In 45 minutes, Johnsen recorded one assist, had one shot that was blocked, created one scoring chance, and completed 25 of 30 passes, 2/2 long balls, had one successful dribble in as many attempts, won 2/4 ground duels, 1/1 aerial duels, drew one foul which led to a goal, committed one foul, and finished with 43 touches.
Edgardo Rito
In 90 minutes, Rito scored with his only shot on target and completed 27 of 32 passes, 3/6 crosses, 1/1 long balls, had 1/2 successful dribbles, won 1/3 tackles, 4/6 ground duels, one recovery, and finished with 59 touches.
Key Events
- ROOTS GOAL – 90+3′
OHMYGOD!!!!!!!! KARLSSON WITH AN EPIC FREE KICK TO TIE IT. Johnsen with another great run from the midfield, he’s been lightning in a bottle playing multiple positions in one shift. He draws a foul. Ottar lines it up and BURRIES IT. WOW!
- ROOTS GOAL – 68′
Starts with a long pass from Benny a long ball to Dennis, sends a pass over the top, retrieved by Karlsson and pushed wide by Johnsen to Rito for the goal.
- OCSC goal – 34′
All Orange County through 34 minutes, header goal from a free kick. Seven shots, three on target, two big chances converted. 2-nil after Skendi’s goal.
- OCSC goal – 22′
Too easy for Orange County. Iloski sends a cross right in front of the net to Sean Okoli, unmanned, volley’s it in.
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Aaron and I get the starting 11 correct with a copy/paste from last week’s lineup. Let’s see if the same 11 can produce a better result after being on the doorstep for four goals against Colorado Springs.
Timeline
The Live Blog starts here.
Near own goal – 2′
Fuenmayor plays a ball back to Benny Diaz, nearly a disaster.
Sean Okoli header on target – 8′
Big diving save by Diaz
OCSC corner – 13′
OCSC draws free kick – 14′
Foul on Jose Hernandez, draws a yellow. Dangerous area one foot above the penalty area, Iloski’s shot sails high.
Roots play into area goes nowhere – 17′
Nice buildup. Rito sends a pass looking for Formella, nobody home.
OCSC corner – 19′ & 20′
First attempt leads to another corner.
OCSC goal – 22′
Too easy for Orange County. Iloski sends a cross right in front of the net to Sean Okoli, unmanned, volley’s it in.
This isn’t going well. Orange County with 6 shots, 2 on target through 33 minutes to Oakland’s zero shots.
OCSC goal – 34′
All Orange County through 34 minutes, header goal from a free kick. Seven shots, three on target, two big chances converted. 2-nil after Skendi’s goal.
OCSC another near chance – 37′
Another near goal by Orange County. Is it too soon to use all five subs?
Roots free kick – 44′
Jose Hernandez draws a free kick about 10 yards above the area. Ball in connects with Tarek Morad, his header goes across the face of goal.
First Half Notes:
Gah, this is hideous.
Roots allegedly have 65 percent possession, but they’ve done nothing with it. Two shot attempts, none on target, while Orange County is dominating 2-nil with eight shots, three on target. If Roots are going to suck, let’s make some changes.
Mikael Johnson onto the field, this is the change I was hoping for.
He comes on for Juan Carlos Azocar. Formella moved back into JCA’s spot, Johnsen at LW.
OCSC corner – 49′
OCSC keeps the ball in the area, continuous ball in. Leads to a second corner, cleared out.
Dennis off crossbar – 59′
Dennis with a bullet off of the crossbar in the 59th. Hard left footed shot on the volley, close.
Rito nice long run into the area – 61′
Ball toward Karlsson, doesn’t connect. Good chance for Oakland.
Roots free kick – 66′
On the right side, Dennis ball cleared out by the first man.
ROOTS GOAL – 68′
Starts with a long pass from Benny a long ball to Dennis, sends a pass over the top, retrieved by Karlsson and pushed wide by Johnsen to Rito for the goal.
Roots sub, Memo on for Nane
Rito is on fire! – 73′
Skips ball past his defender, sends a pass toward Karlsson. Dennis gets the ball, tries a right footed shot and its blocked.
Dennis with a moonshot – 77′
Good buildup, bad finish by Dennis.
Karlsson chance missed
Ball in by Dennis, Karlsson whiffs on his attempt.
Roots sub – 84′
Chuy on for Formella
Rito does well to get ball back in stoppage time. Forces a ball out.
Roots draw free kick in great area – 90+3′
Johnsen with another great run, draws a foul. Dennis range, Ottar lining it up.
Ottar going for the shot, AND BURRIES IT! HOLY SHIT! Ball deflects off a OCSC defender and curves into the net.