Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots visiting Sacramento Republic, writing alongside at least 150 Town Function members in section 120, be sure to keep an ear out. On a separate note, this post marks our 100th on the new website, thank you for supporting and helping RootsBlog grow.
Roots walk into Heart Health Park after a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Los Angeles and are need of turning things around in ninth place with 24 points and a 5-9-6 record. Sacramento, despite losing 3-nil to Colorado Springs, are among the hottest teams in the Western Conference in sixth at 8-4-4 and have won its five of its last six matches. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw back on May 28 with help of an Ottar Magnus Karlsson PK in the 86th minute.
Roots still hold the lead on the all-time series between the two sides with one win, four draws and no losses. Anything can happen in a derby and Oakland will need to find its fluidity to keep itself in the playoff hunt. Bloom highlighted the current situation that Roots are looking at in his preview:
Sacramento appears to be trending up, and El Paso and New Mexico are ahead of the Roots with games in hand, and I think would need to seriously stumble to fall out of the playoffs. Unfortunately that leaves only one playoff spot. I think the Roots are better than LA or Vegas, but the Roots can’t catch them without getting results. The Roots absolutely have to start taking all three points from some mid-table teams… The Roots have to get their shit together, and away at Sacramento is a lousy time to need a result, but here we are. What it took last season was needing results, so maybe that’s the trick.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2022/07/08/sacramento-republic-vs-oakland-roots-match-preview-july-7-2022/
Bloom’s players to watch for Sac include Rodrigo Lopez, Maalique Foster, and Matt LaGrassa–keep an eye on them tonight. You will likely only hear Roots’ supporters in the first half with Republic’s Tower Bridge Battalion planning to stay silent in the first half as a form of protest to the organization remaining silent on the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Postgame Interview
RootsBlog Man of the Match
Juan Carlos Azocar
Juan Carlos Azocar is elected out RootsBlog Man of the Match after appearing at right wing and scoring a bicycle kick finish. He also had an attempt which led to Ottar’s goal in the 71st. The usual outside back showed his versatility in Guerra’s system and an instrumental start after dealing with an injury against Atlanta and missed the first half versus LA.
Key Events
- Sac ties – stoppage
- ROOTS GOAL – 71′
ROOTS GO AHEAD ON AN OTTAR VOLLEY. Azocar sends a ball in that was pushed by the keeper back to Ottar for the goal.
- ROOTS GOAL – 55′
Ottar scores on a header at close distance. It’s tied!
- Sac goal – 44′
Another bad giveaway by the backline, allows a 1-o-1 goal.
- ROOTS GOAL – 27′
Azocar gets on his bike for the goal, beautiful flick to himself.
- Sac goal – 11′
Bad giveaway by Roots in their own area. Easy goal for Sac
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
In a new move, Guerra plays Juan Carlos Azocar at right wing in place of Charlie Dennis. Memo Diaz has been impressive and will start at left outside back opposite of Edgardo Rito.
- Sacramento Republic Starting 11
Timeline
It’s derby time! Oakland Roots need a positive result tonight, can they recover from their disappointing game last week? It’ll be needed.
Paul save – 4′
long shot, had some spin on it
Rito shot blocked – 11′
Sac goal, bad giveaway by Roots’defense – 12′
Sac corner – 19′
nice counter attack
Played short, Sac still hold. Leads to nada
Sac attempt – 20′
Save by Paul. Another good counter.
Johnsen shot on target – 23′
Leads to a corner.
Play short to Johnsen, ball into box cleared.
Roots corner-25′
cleared out.
ROOTS GOAL – 27′
Azocar with the goal of the month. Flicks up to himself, bicycle kick finish!
Nane hurt -31′
He’ll have to go off. Mati coming on
Roots near chance – 33′
Rito feeds Johnsen, shot forces a diving save. Roots corner. Leads to nothing.
Johnsen shot wide – 36′
Nice curling attempt.
Roots corner – 41′
Fuenmayor shot in target right in front pushed wide. Another corner.
Roots corner – 42′
shot goes into ottar.
Another bad giveaway leads to a goal for Sac – 44′
This time Emrah misplays it.
First half notes:
Roots two terrible giveaways are the demise down 2-1. They have 9 shots with 4 on target and 63 percent possession and have mostly look like the better side when disregarding their two embarrassing giveaways. Sac with 6 shots, 4 on target. Back line has to be more reliable.
Ottar shit saved – 47′
Azocar shot deflected wide – 52′
Corner. Deflected wide for another corner.
leads to nothing.
ROOTS GOAL 55′
Fuenmayor heads a ball centrally, Ottar pushes it in at close range. Its tied!
Emrah shot wide on the volley-62′
he’s pushing higher up.
Sac nearly scores on another giveaway. 65′
Sac corner 69′
shot pushed wide.
ROOTS GOAL – 71′
ROOTS GO AHEAD ON AN OTTAR HEADER. AZOCAR ON THE ASSIST.
Roots sub. 77′
Formella on for Johnsen
PAUL HUGE – 82
Two HUGE saves.
Chuy on for Azocar – 86′
Roots corner – 87′
After a big save by sac.
Sac corner – stoppage
Sac set piece – stoppage
Big chance for Sac.
Shot on volley sails.
Chuy shot on target – stoppage.
forces corner.
Sac steals it at the death